“If you’re physically starving, you will groan, but spiritual starvation will make you groan too. So here’s the good news of the Christmas story: the birth of Jesus is an invitation to the best, most satisfying dinner ever.”
–Paul Tripp
The purpose of this Advent Guide is not to provide a complete list of resources (there are simply too many to include!) but a simple guide to help get you started if you don’t know where to begin this Christmas season. I’m including links to some of our favorite family items, personal advent study guides for individual use, family advent guides, children’s picture books, and even some podcasts to inspire you. My top recommendation is to keep things simple and purposeful. In our home we do one family advent study (we use the advent blocks linked below) and I do daily individual advent readings (using John Piper’s Good News of Great Joy and this year Emmanuel by Ruth Chou Simons). There’s nothing “magical” about any of the resources listed below. The best things you can to prepare for Christmas will be the things you are willing to do consistently. It is my hope that this guide is a blessing to you as prepare for this Christmas season.
Our Family Favorites
Treasuring God in Our Traditions by Noel Piper
This Nativity Set
This will be our third year using the Advent Blocks and their family devotional. This is by far one of the family traditions we most look forward to each year as a family! While many advent calendars can lean towards being self- focused on fun family memories or favorite holiday events, this particular advent countdown keeps the focus on Christ.
Personal Advent Study
Emmanuel: An Invitation to Prepare Him Room at Christmas and Always by Ruth Chou Simmons
The First Songs of Christmas by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth
Come, Let us Adore Him by Paul Tripp
Good News of Great Joy by John Piper
Fulfilled by Well Watered Women
The One True Light: Daily Advent Readings from the Gospel of John by Tim Chester
Family Devotionals
A Better Than Anything Christmas by Barbara Raeoch
A Jesus Christmas by Barbara Raeoch
Prepare Him Room: Celebrating the Birth of Jesus by Marty Machowski
The Light Before Christmas by Marty Machowski
Family Advent Devotional: Celebrate Christ Together by Matt & Lauren Chandler (with videos)
Children’s Picture Books
There’s a Lion in My Nativity!
Seek and Find The First Christmas
Podcasts
Traditions, Christmas, and Thoughtful Christian Living
Treasuring Christ in our Traditions by Revive our Hearts
Lifegiving Christmas Traditions by Sally Clarkson
Mom Hacks for the Holiday Season by Mom to Mom Podcast
Finding Rest in Advent by Risen Motherhood
Celebrating Advent with Little Ones by Risen Motherhood
Advent Blocks by Family Discipleship Podcast
Talking With Your Littles About Santa by Family Discipleship Podcast
Little Roots Co. 