It’s hard to believe that we’re nearing the Advent season! I’m not sure we can fully calculate the weight and low-grade trauma that these last two years have brought us collectively. I fear the impact will come in waves as we deal with the results of living in isolation and constant fear. But, as we press on and head into this holiday season, I’m looking forward to being intentional about the Advent season and trying to coax my heart into a posture of restful anticipation. On the church calendar, the Advent season is a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of Jesus’ first coming – His birth that we celebrate at Christmas. The word Advent is a version of the Latin word meaning “coming”. Some churches who keep to a more liturgical calendar will celebrate with formal traditions.

At Redemption Chapel, we are more casual with only a few church-wide observances.

But, that doesn’t mean we’re not all preparing our hearts for worshipping Christ! The headlong rush of the tasks and extras that seem to come with this time of the year can make it difficult to pause. But, it’s so important. To that end, I wanted to offer up some resources. Each day during December, I like to light a candle, put on worshipful Christmas music, boil up a pot of tea, and cozy up under my Christmas quilt as I read one of these – ideally in the morning before things get busy. (Ideally.)

Here is my (not-so-exhaustive) list of some recommended resources. I’ve included the Amazon links when you click on the title. But if you can buy them through a local bookstore, even better. Many of those brick and mortar shops will match the Amazon prices or offer some sort of discount, if you ask. Logos Bookstore in Kent is a great resource if you’re local to me here in Northeast Ohio. Wherever you go, make sure you order soon so that you have what you want when Thanksgiving is over and you start to turn your attention to preparing your heart for celebrating Christmas. The last thing you need is to be scrambling at the last minute to decide what you’re going to do. That’s not the vibe we’re going for here {wink}.

Watch for the Light

This is an old favorite for me – it’s not a Bible study where you’ll get in the Word a ton but a book with great reflections from great theological writers. Honestly, it’s hard to go wrong with essays and poems from people like Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Madeleine L’Engle, Martin Luther, and  Henri Nouwen. There are 40 days worth of deep, sometimes jarring reflections.

The Greatest Gift

This one will get you in the Word a bit more and is traces the beautiful love story of Jesus’ coming. Beginning with Jesse, the father of David, The Greatest Gift retraces the epic pageantry of mankind, from Adam to the Messiah, with each day’s reading pointing to the coming promise of Christ. It’s well-done and worshipful. BONUS if you have a young family, she’s done a companion book for doing it with your children.

She Reads Truth Advent 2021

She Reads Truth is a favorite of mine when I’m not in a Bible study with women from church. Honestly, it’s a little bit pricier than I prefer but it really is beautiful and so well thought-thru. This book intentionally includes the Everlasting Light: Advent 2021 reading plan only, with a written introduction and many other helpful elements throughout. Because God’s Word is living and active, the focus of these books is the scripture – not a reflection by a human author. However, written responses to each day’s reading can be found on SheReadsTruth.com and the She Reads Truth app. You can join the community of other women who are online – for further commentary and conversation via the website. As a bonus, they have other helpful tools and kid-friendly options on their site. (Note: This is the only one you have to buy directly from She Reads Truth. There is no way to get it in a bookstore.) 

Unwrapping the Names of Jesus

I bought this one last year but didn’t get to use it. I’ve heard great things about it. Plus, the author is from Northeast Ohio and went to Cedarville where my daughter attends so that’s a fun bonus. From looking through it, I like it because it seems simple but dripping with meaning. Each day provides a name of Jesus and a corresponding scripture, a short reflection, a challenge, a prayer, and options for further study. It also includes some weekly activities you could do with your family.

Come Let Us Adore Him

This one comes highly recommended by a few godly women whom I trust. Paul David Tripp is a fantastic, soulful author. His is a book of daily readings for each day of the month of December. Each day includes a reflection about the incarnation of Jesus, a scripture for pondering, and an optional activity to do with our families.

Shadow & Light: A Journey Into Advent

This is the one I added to my own practice in 2020. It is really wonderful for several reasons but one thing I really appreciated was the explanation of the Advent season and its role in the liturgical church calendar. Since my church tradition is not liturgical, I enjoyed reading the basics of advent to set the tone for my practices of waiting during December. Each week has a reading from the church calendar. Then each day has a reading, a Psalm to pray, a question to ask, a poem or song to listen to, and a art piece to look upon and spur reflection. Author Tsh Oxenrider created a website to go along with the book so that readers can easily find the songs and the artwork.

I hope that helps give you a few ideas for your devotional life as you prepare your heart and mind for worshiping our beautiful Savior… He truly is our awe-inspiring, worship-worthy Messiah King. After studying Him in Matthew this Fall, my eyes will view the Christmas season with an added sense of wonder at this God Man who walked among us.