It’s so easy to get caught up in the distractions and demands of Christmas that we can often miss the big picture. Advent is an invitation to quiet our hearts and minds as we count down to celebrate Christ’s birth and hopeful expectation of his return.
We invite you to wait expectantly with us during Advent this season, which kicks off Sunday, December 3, and runs through Sunday, December 24, 2023. While there’s no biblical mandate to practice Advent, it certainly helps stir our affections and bring joy throughout the Christmas season.
Through Bible passages, hymns, lessons and prayer, Advent resources can help you focus your attention on Christ and look with wonder on the Light of the World, the long-awaited Savior. We hope you’ll take advantage of these recommended devotionals, activities and music found below to better prepare your hearts this Advent.
What is the Purpose of Advent?
Advent marks the start of a season of preparation. The word “advent” comes from the Latin word “aventus,” which means “arrival” or “coming.” When we celebrate Advent, we’re reminded of how Jewish people of the Old Testament waited with great expectation for a Messiah, the King of Kings.
“There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.” Isaiah 11:1-9 “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.” Isaiah 9:6-7 “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.” Daniel 7:13-14 “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.” Micah 5:2
Advent stirs up emotions of expectation and hope as we remember what Jesus has done—humbling himself to be born as a baby, living among those he would save. Then, living a perfect life and doing the will of His Father, he was obedient to sacrificial death on the cross, which paid the penalty to save all those who would believe.
Today, Christians remember Jesus’ promise to restore everything fully. Advent helps us realize the same humble baby Jesus—the Messiah—is coming again and will return for us.
Resources to Celebrate Advent
There is a wealth of Advent resources available to help you prepare your hearts this season. Whether you are single, married, widowed, retired or raising children, Advent is for you.
The list below is just a selection of Advent resources intended to still your hearts during the bustle and busyness of the season, and help you wait in wonder for what’s to come. Let these be light to you this Christmas.
Adult Resources: Books, Devotionals & Bible Studies
Good News of Great Joy: 25 Devotional Readings for Advent by John Piper
- Captures the heart of the season and readies our hearts for Christmas Day
Come Let us Adore Him: A Daily Advent Devotional by Paul Tripp
- Devotional that can be used on your own or with your family, with questions to ask children
The First Songs of Christmas: Meditations on Luke 1 & 2 by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth
- Devotional that considers the various songs recorded in Scripture about Jesus
Watch for the Light: Readings for Advent and Christmas
- A collection of essays and poems from C. S. Lewis, Henri Nouwen, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Dorothy Day and more for Christmas
Hidden Christmas by Tim Keller
- Book that unpacks the message of hope, redemption and salvation hidden in the biblical account of Jesus’ birth
Treasuring God in Our Traditions by Noel Piper
- Discusses the importance of passing along Christ-centered traditions and a Bible-saturated legacy to future generations
Grafted In: An Advent Study of the Family Tree of Christ by Amy Gannett
- Bible study filled with 25 days of Scripture readings, responsive prayer points, commentary, and questions for reflection that explore the members of Christ’s family tree
Love Came Down at Christmas: A Daily Advent Devotional by Sinclair Ferguson
- Devotions on 1 Corinthians 13, reflecting on Jesus—the source of authentic, divine and transforming love
Prepare Him Room: 25 Days to the Heart of Advent by Ruth Chou Simons
- Devotional cards with a Scripture, short devotional thoughts and questions to consider as you reflect on God’s Word
Heaven and Nature Sing by Hannah Anderson
- Book that looks at Advent through the lens of the natural world, celebrating how all creation awaits the Creator King
The Weary World Rejoices: Daily Devotions for Advent (The Gospel Coalition)
- E-book version is only $6.49 in the TGC store
Family Resources: Books, Devotionals & Activities
The Jesus Storybook Bible Advent Activity Book by Sally Lloyd-Jones
- 24 guided crafts, games, songs, recipes and more to celebrate Advent—can be used in conjunction with the traditional Jesse Tree Advent plan
The Christmas Promise Storybook: A True Story from the Bible about God’s Forever King by Allison Mitchell
- Retelling of the Christmas story, showing how God kept his promise to send a new King, a rescuing King, a forever King (great for children aged 3 to 6)
Unwrapping the Greatest Gift by Ann Voskamp
- Devotional for families with pictures, Scripture and meaningful takeaways
- Blocks for each day through Christmas, with a 25-day devotional guide, “The King is Coming,” to read with your family
A Better Than Anything Christmas: Explore How Jesus Makes Christmas Better by Barbara Reaoch
- Interactive family Advent devotional, complete with parent guide, activities and space for journaling
The Light Before Christmas: A Family Advent Devotional by Marty Machowski
- Four-week Advent devotional containing scripture, lessons, discussion questions, songs to sing together, and prayer
Jesus Came for Me: The True Story of Christmas by Jared Kennedy
- Devotional excerpts from the children’s The Beginner’s Gospel Story Bible series (great for children aged 3 to 7)
Seek and Find: The First Christmas by Sarah Parker
- Search for 450 hidden things in this board book while your kids learn key biblical and theological truths about the first Christmas
Music
Behold the Lamb of God by Andrew Peterson
Handel’s Messiah from the London Philharmonic Orchestra
Heaven Has Come by Sovereign Grace Music
Christmas Songs by Fernando Ortega
Christmas by Phil Wickham
Sing: Christmas Songs by Ellie Holcomb (kids)
Worship in the Word: Christmas with Shane & Shane (subscription to Right Now Media needed to watch)
The Jesus Storybook Bible Advent Playlist by Sally Lloyd-Jones (kids)
The Gospel Coalition’s 75-song Advent playlist on Spotify or Apple Music
Celebrate the Season With Us
If you’d like to learn more about the hopeful expectation we have in Christ, you’re invited to join our Covenant Hope Church St. Pete community on Sundays at 11 a.m. during our corporate worship service. We meet in the Fellowship Hall at Legacy Church at North East Park (3737 1st St NE, St. Pete, FL 33704).
While we celebrate God’s gift of Jesus all year long, and we’re also hosting a special Christmas Eve service in St. Pete on Sunday, December 24—same time, same place. We’d love to see you there. RSVP to our Facebook event to stay in the loop with service details.
Have questions or needs? Reach out to us. Our pastors are available to help you choose the right resource for you and your family this Advent season.
Learn more about our St. Pete church here.
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