Editor's note: An earlier version of this article was published in November 2023, but we've updated it since with *NEW* recently published books that we're excited about.
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A few weeks ago, my husband came home with four Advent calendars from the local grocery store, one for each of our kids. The calendars have little perforated windows corresponding to each day in December and will remain on top of our refrigerator for a few weeks until we start our family’s Advent tradition– a daily reading followed by a chocolate treat from those calendars. The season is a sweet (literally) and precious chance for our family to meditate on the sure hope we have because of Jesus’ birth.
During the four Sundays leading up to Christmas, many churches set aside time to deliberately meditate Christ’s birth– his first advent, or "coming." As believers living in between Jesus’ first and second coming, Advent is a chance for us to rejoice that he has already come, even as we anticipate his return.
As Advent approaches, we wanted to share some resources for those looking to incorporate material into their family devotions that focus on Jesus’ birth. For individuals and families trying to get into (or restart) the habit of doing family devotions, Advent is a great opportunity to begin.
Here are some of our favorite Advent devotionals for every age range and for the whole family.
Younger Kids
God's Big Promises Advent Calendar and Family Devotions: 25 Door Advent Calendar
Ages: 3-7
Theme: The Christmas story as told in the gospels, from the angel's visit to Mary through the coming of the wise men
Includes: Advent Calendar, prayers, Scripture passages, and read-aloud devotionals
What we love: A simple “Let’s Remember” phrase at the end of each devotional is perfect for helping lessons stick to young children (e.g. “Let’s Remember…Jesus is God’s forever King.”)
The Jesus Storybook Bible a Christmas Collection: Stories, Songs, and Reflections for the Advent Season
Ages: 4-8
Theme: Reveals the true meaning of Christmas by showing readers that at the center of every story in Scripture is Jesus
Includes: Bible story, music buttons, advent activities, map tracing Jesus' story through the Old Testament,
What we love: It's interactive with music (16 buttons play Christmas songs including 4 hymns) and free advent printables
Promises Made Promises Kept: A Family Devotional for Christmas
Ages: 5-11
Theme: How the Old Testament prophecies are fulfilled in Jesus's life, death, and resurrection and the beginning of the church
Includes: 14 stories, references to Bible passages, plus discussion questions and answers
What we love: Beautiful hardback that flips—read Promises Made before Christmas and then flip it over for the second half, Promises Kept
Tracing Glory: The Christmas Story Through the Bible
Ages: 4-10
Theme: The glory of Christ from Genesis to Revelation
Includes: Key Scripture to look up, a devotional commentary, and a summary highlighting showing how the passage points to Jesus
What we love: Families can use these instructions to create ornaments to go along with the book each day, or pair with activities from the Tracing Glory Ornament Activity Book.
Littlest Watchman Advent Book + Calendar
Ages: 4-10
Theme: Old Testament promises fulfilled in Jesus’ coming
Includes: Advent calendar with Bible verses, Scripture, discussion questions, suggested activities
What we love: The Advent Calendar opens to reveal the events of the first Christmas and calendar windows can be torn off and hung on a simple version of Jesus' family tree.
Middle Graders
Why Christmas?
Ages 4-12
Theme: The events surrounding the incarnation and why we celebrate Christmas
Includes: Scripture reading, memory verse, Christmas carol, discussion questions
What we love: Christmas hymns are incorporated in devotional time with questions about the lyrics
A Jesus Christmas
Ages: 4-12
Theme: How the glorious truths of Christmas beat the serpent’s lies from Genesis 3
Includes: Scripture reading, questions, short explanation, “engage” questions for different age ranges, prayer, family journaling space
What we love: A family journaling space leaves room for families to write down what they’ve learned, draw a picture, list things to thank God for, and more.
Wonders of His Love
Ages: 5-11
Theme: Images in Isaiah (Jesus as the Light, Branch, Shepherd, Savior, Bread)
Includes: Fun stories, discussion questions, crafts, recipes, games, and suggestions for family service projects
What we love: How engaging these readings are— Champ Thorton makes big truths accessible and interesting for kids listening to these readings.
Teens
Longing for Christmas: 25 Promises Fulfilled in Jesus, Advent Devotional for Teenagers
Ages: 13+
Theme: Twenty-five promises God made and fulfilled in the coming of Jesus and how all of the longing we feel--for a better world and for things to be made right--will be fully met in Jesus.
What we love: This book is written specifically for youth with examples that will resonate with them.
The Dawning of Indestructible Joy
Ages: 13+
Theme: How the incarnation is the most glorious dawning of indestructible joy the world has ever seen
What we love: These devotionals are short and accessible while packed with theologically rich truth.
The Advent of the Lamb of God
Ages: 13+
Theme: A narrative retelling of the story of the need for and the coming of Christ
What we love: This retelling of Scripture is compelling and fresh while remaining faithful to the text of Scripture.
For The Whole Family
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel: A Liturgy for Daily Worship from Advent to Epiphany
Ages 8+ with family (13+ for individuals)
Theme: A devotional liturgy guiding readers through Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany (November 28 through January 6)—helping them keep their eyes fixed on Christ
Includes: Guided meditation, applicable Scripture readings, hymns, prayers, creeds, and prompts for petition and confession
What we love: Beautifully produced and simple format for reading and meditating
The World Rejoices: The Good News of Christmas Devotional
Ages: 5+ with family (13+ for individuals)
Theme: Short daily reflection and Scripture reading from the first two chapters of the Gospel of Luke guides you toward a deeper connection with Jesus
Includes: Scripture passage, meditation, activity
What we love: Fun activities (like "eye spy" and "ad-lib fun" are included for adults and children)
The God of Amazing Gifts
Ages 7+ with family (13+ for individuals)
Theme: The amazing gifts we receive through faith in Jesus and how we can be generous too
Includes: Opening prayer and question, passage or selected verses from a passage, questions, closing prayer, extra creative ideas
What we love: Study and application questions are designed for various ages and stages of faith, simple prayers
Don't see what you're looking for here? Check out all our advent resources here: Advent.
From our archives: Check out also our podcast episode on celebrating Advent in our homes and churches.
