Advent Resources for Families 2014

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Are you and your family doing anything for Advent this year?

If you’d like to celebrate Advent but still haven’t begun don’t worry that you haven’t yet started. Jump in now and begin preparing your heart to celebrate what God has done through Jesus’ birth and all He will do when Christ comes again!

I didn’t grow up celebrating Advent.

Sure, we lit candles at church, and I heard the word, but I never really knew what Advent was — or what you do to observe Advent — until I was an adult.

What is Advent?

The dictionary definition of the word advent is:

ad・vent (noun):

the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event.

the first season of the Christian church year, leading up to Christmas and including the four preceding Sundays.

the coming or second coming of Christ.

The definition is ripe with waiting. Full of expectation. It is a looking ahead and eager anticipation.

Though the focus of Advent has changed over the centuries, as Believers today, we remember the first coming of Jesus, as a baby born in Bethlehem, and eagerly look ahead to Christ’s second coming in the future.

How can we Celebrate Advent as a Family

The more aware I learn about Advent, the more I have sought out great resources to help my family and me remember, celebrate, and wait in hope together during these few weeks leading up to Christmas. What an incredible opportunity to take a new look at God’s big story from beginning to what is still to come!

If you are looking for books, activities, or resources to use during these Advent days to deepen your understanding of what God has done through Jesus and what He will do, I pray that this list will be helpful to you. Please share it with others!

Two of My Favorites Resources for Families to use during Advent

Truth in the Tinsel

We used Truth in the Tinsel to guide us through Advent the past two years. The first year we did {some} of the crafts and the second year, we used the printable ornaments {because I don’t have the most patience for crafts}.

Each day consists of a Scripture reading, devotional, and craft activity to reinforce the key takeaway point. Amanda is a great communicator and very creative, and Truth in the Tinsel has been a huge hit with families and churches!

I’m looking forward to jumping in again in the next year or two as the littlest of my clan grow a bit bigger.

Unwrapping the Greatest Gift

Ann Voskamp’s newest book, Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas, is an absolutely gorgeous book for leading your family through Advent.

This is our choice for Advent this year, and so far, I couldn’t love it more. Ann’s lyrical and insightful writing tells such familiar stories in a refreshing and personal way. Reading it, I am actually reminded of The Jesus Storybook Bible and how moving the greatest Story really is.

For added depth and understanding, you might even consider reading The Greatest Gift: Unwrapping the Full Love Story of Christmas in your own personal devotional time.}

More Advent Resources for Kids & Families

I haven’t had a chance to read through all of these, but I like options. We all have different personalities and styles of teaching our kids — some of us like a craft with our teaching; whereas some of us cringe at the idea of a craft. Some of us like long, others short; some need visuals, others audio.

Some of us are looking for something to do with the kids and some of us need something for our personal devotions. Hopefully you will be able to find something here on this list. Feel free to add your suggestions and favorites in the comments below!

Thriving Family’s Journey to the Manger from Clubhouse Jr. {Focus on the Family}

What’s in the Bible’s Christmas Memory Book, Everyday Emmanuel or Why Do They Call it Christmas?

David C. Cook’s Tru Curriculum has a whole Homefront issue focused on Advent. Check out their magazine or their free app.

Awana’s Advent Devotional for families

Jotham’s Journey: A Storybook for Advent

One Wintry Night by Ruth Bell Graham

This Christmas Night: Reflections from Our Hearts to Your Home by Billy and Ruth Graham

And though not Biblically based, how fun does this Lego Advent Calendar look?!

Advent Books and Devotionals for Moms {and some for Dads too!}

She Reads Truth Advent Devotional: I love the She Reads Truth Community and have done many of their online studies. Like their other devotionals, this Advent study is online and it is free. You can find it on the She Reads Truth website.

A Moment of Christmas: daily Christmas devotions for time-strapped moms by Anna Rendell

Then Came Jesus by Lara Williams

Surviving Christmas: Advent Devotions for the Hard and Holy Holidays by Anne Marie Miller