11 Helpful Resources for Your Advent Observance

Happy Thanksgiving!

While things certainly look much different for most of us this year due to COVID-19, I pray you are able to enjoy a special time gathered around a table of thanks with someone you love!

I’m certain everyone is much too busy to read a blog post today, but it’s Thursday. So here we are!

Rather than our regular weekly blog post, I thought I would share some favorite Advent Resources since the beginning of Advent is right around the corner.

Advent Resources

A Better Than Anything Christmas by Barbara Reaoch

These daily devotions in the Gospels give a thorough investigation of why Jesus came. In the lead-up to Christmas, families will explore 25 reasons why Jesus came, and they will see that what Jesus gives us is better than anything else we could wish for. This is the second Advent devotional by Barbara Reaoch.

A Jesus Christmas by Barbara Reoach

Right from the beginning, the serpent lied to Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden and he has been lying ever since. But right from the beginning, God told us his amazing plan to send Jesus. Each day’s devotional looks at one of the serpent’s lies from Genesis 3, and then shows how the glorious truth of Christmas beats it every time! 

Family Advent Devotional Pack by Annie Kratzsch and Tessa Afshar

This pack contains:

• The Unexpected Gift (Storybook)
• The Unexpected Gift Activity Book: Creative Christmas Activities

Storybook: Unexpected Gift tells the story of how Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, and the wise men all responded to the wonderful truth that God became a baby.

Activity Book: The activity book contains 25 activities to make as well as 25 Bible verse ornaments to decorate. Each activity pairs up with a corresponding page from the storybook so they can be used together to explore the Christmas story with your family.

Getty Kids Hymnal: Family Carol Sing CD by Getty Kids

The Getty Kids Hymnal series first installment for Christmas. This CD includes 10 traditional carols every family should know as well as 5 new carols in the same timeless tradition! 

If He Had Not Come: An Updated Version of Nan Weeks Story by David Nicholson 

A captivating tale with timeless impact of a young lad who discovers what his world would be like if Jesus had never been born. This unimaginable notion will surely generate thought-provoking discussions, whether at the kitchen table, before bedtime, in the car or classroom.

Jesus Came for Me: The True Story of Christmas by Jared Kennedy

This board book by author Jared Kennedy helps toddlers and preschoolers understand the true meaning of Christmas. Jesus Came for Me is part of The Beginner’s Gospel Story Bible series. This beautifully illustrated book begins with the announcement of John the Baptist’s birth to Zechariah and ends with the visit of the wise men.

Sshh… Don’t Wake the Baby by Helen Buckley

This beautifully illustrated little book will help young children grasp the wonder and excitement that Jesus, the Son of God, became a baby for us at Christmas.

The Christmas Promise by Alison Mitchell and Catalina Echeverri

A long, long time ago – so long that it’s hard to imagine – God promised a new King. He wasn’t any ordinary king, like the ones we see on TV or in books. This king would be different. He would be a new King; a rescuing King; a forever King! A captivating retelling of the Christmas story showing how God kept His promise to send a new King. This book helps pre-school children discover exactly how God kept His Christmas Promise.

The Jesus Storybook Bible A Christmas Collection: Stories, songs, and reflections for the Advent Season by Sally Lloyd-Jones

Geared toward children ages 4-8, this book is an interactive story, sound, and song Advent experience for the whole family!

There’s a Lion in My Nativity! by Lizzie Laferton

This rhyming book with warm, quirky illustrations makes a beautiful Christmas gift for children who are 4-7 years old. In this story of a Christmas nativity play, Mary thinks she is the star of the show. However, as the play goes on, she finds that every scene has been stolen by an unlikely character or object!

And for those who like downloadable resources, there is:

Advent Resources for Thoughtfully Observing the Season by Deborah Haddix

This resource includes: An Advent primer, planning calendar, Scripture Challenge, schedule of Prayer Prompts, suggestions for Loving Acts of Kindness, Ideas for Family Time, and more.