Advent Starts Sunday! A GREAT time to slow it down ...
It truly is the most wonderful time of the year! Please are in the holiday spirit, for sure! That is evidenced by all the decorations I see up in my neighborhood, the fact that yesterday's Cyber Monday spending nearly doubled (or more) last year's spending, and Christmas carols already playing on the radio!
I think we, the people, want some happy. I think we NEED some happy. With all the drama happening in the news with politicians, famous people, and everyday people, we're just craving some happy. Christmas has become an easy reminder of happy. And we're stretching it more and more each year, it seems, even now decorating our houses BEFORE Thanksgiving!
All of these wonderful, happy "things" are awesome but "if we aren’t intentional to prioritize the Wonderful One of the season – Jesus – before we know it, our hearts and schedules will" just be full of things. We might miss out on the joy (and happy) God brings us in the greatest Gift ever!
When my preteen was younger, it was easier to do a nightly Bible story read or a devotional. But as he gets older, we get busier. Advent is a good time and reminder to slow it down! Wouldn't it be great to anticipate the baby Jesus like we anticipate the gift giving, decorating, time with extended family, and happy?
This year my family will be participating in a daily Advent devotional time (that will take us 5 minutes a day). Will you join us? We're going to try using THE WONDER OF THE GREATEST GIFT (an interactive Advent calendar with things to add to the tree and a daily devo). I highly recommend this resource but below are some other resources I found HERE that you can use during Advent in the days leading to Christmas! There are family devotionals and individual devotionals that are great for families with teens! If you have Amazon Prime, they will be here in plenty of time to start Sunday!
xxoo,
Jillianne
Unwrapping the Greatest Gift by Ann Voskamp
Traces the coming of Christ through the Bible
Download & print or purchase accompanying Jesse Tree Ornaments
Prepare Him Room by Marty Machowski
Includes activities, songs, and historical fiction story
Companion music available from Sovereign Grace Music on Spotify
Jotham’s Journey by Arnold Ytreeide
Historical Fiction
Follow Jotham’s exciting adventure in and around Judea in the year of Christ’s birth.
1 of 4 Books in a series
All is Bright by Nancy Guthrie
Detailed coloring sheets for adults
Simplified coloring sheets for kids
Same devotional content as Guthrie’s “Let Every Heart”
Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room by Nancy Guthrie
Includes song lyrics & prayers
Same devotional content as Guthrie’s “All is Bright”
The Dawning of Indestructible Joy by John Piper
Daily excerpts from Piper’s sermons
Great book for personal devotions
Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus by Nancy Guthrie
Reading from 22 contemporary and classic theologians and Bible teachers.
Great book for personal devotions
