Advent: Resources for Thoughtfully Observing the Season

I grew up in a church culture that did not observe Advent. Between you and me, all I knew about it was that other churches celebrated it (whatever “it” was) near Christmastime.

Then a few years ago, my husband and I were introduced to the Christian Calendar and all its seasons while listening to a radio interview with Bobby Gross, author of Living the Christian Year. We were captivated.

When that interview ended, there was one thing we knew for sure, celebrating the Christian Calendar was a spiritual discipline we wanted to embrace.

Advent

The Christian Year begins with the season of Advent.

Advent is the season of waiting. It is a time of thoughtful reflection and repentance.  To observe Advent means to spend the weeks before Christmas rethinking our priorities, realigning our lives with God’s desires for us, and seeking forgiveness.  It also means beginning anew.   

A traditional observance of Advent is radically counter-cultural but so worth it. Among other things, its observance helps us remember who God is and how He works; rekindles our love for Him; helps us look forward; and serves to remind us that we are waiting for Christ.

Celebrated the four Sundays prior to Christmas Day, this year Advent will begin on December 1^st.

Helpful Resources

As excited as I am to celebrate the seasons of the Christian Year, I’m going to admit that sometimes things haven’t gone quite as I had “planned.”

Whatever the reason – time getting away from me, an overbooked schedule, overwhelmed, underprepared – Advent didn’t wind up looking like I had hoped.

So, this year I put together a helpful Advent resource, complete with a blank calendar to help me with planning, and I’d love to share it with you.

ADVENT: Resources for Thoughtfully Observing the Season (click to download)

This year as you look forward to Advent –

Be prepared by downloading the resource prior to the start of Advent and looking through the pages.

Squash the overwhelm by narrowing your focus. Don’t try to do it all. Note the ideas that jump out at you. Pray about the ones that are the best fit for you and your family THIS year. Choose only one or two ideas to implement this Advent season.

Exercise intentionality by identifying the ideas that seem most meaningful to you and your family, prayerfully considering your family’s schedule, and being realistic as you prepare your Advent calendar.

KEEP IN MIND: The key is to choose those observances that will be meaningful to you and your family. Taking on too much simply for the sake of doing it creates overwhelm for everyone and certainly goes against all that this season of Advent is about.

BONUS RESOURCES:

Readings

“The Dawning of Indestructible Joy: Daily Readings for Advent” by John Piper.  25 brief devotional readings.  (Downloadable as a free PDF.)

“Unwrapping Advent: Celebrating the Wonder of Jesus’ Arrival Then and Now” by Margaret Feinberg.  A four-week devotional.  (Free PDF download.)

Books

Advent and Christmas Wisdom from Henri J.M. Nouwen: Daily Scripture and Prayers together with Nouwen’s Own Words by Redemptorist Pastoral Publication. 

Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus:  Experiencing the Peace and Promise of Christmas edited by Nancy Guthrie.

God Is in the Manger: Reflections on Advent and Christmas by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. 

Good News of Great Joy: Daily Reading for Advent by John Piper.

The Advent Jesse Tree: Devotions for Children and Adults to Prepare for the Coming of the Christ Child at Christmas by Dean Lambert Smith. 

The Dawning of Indestructible Joy: Daily Readings for Advent by John Piper. 

I pray one or more of these resources will be of help to you as you prepare your heart and help to prepare the hearts of your family members for this Christmas!

Download Advent: Resources for Thoughtfully Observing the Season