Simply Advent Guide

Whether you are already invested somewhere during this Advent season or you are just getting started. I wanted to compile a list of resources for you so that you could pick up the practice at any time! Even if you just spend the few days leading up to Christmas, it is never too late to find your way to the manger.

Be sure you are following me on Instagram where I am posting about the Simply Advent podcast series with additional scriptures and follow up questions for each conversation. I hope any and all of this serves you in this season, dear on.

Apps/Online Reading Plans:

-She Reads Truth
-Daily Grace Co. App
-Ann Voskamp’s Instagram and Facebook series
-Weathered Feather Studio’s Instagram series
-Writing with Grace is sending daily writing prompts via email. You can signup here.

Books:
(The amazon links are affiliate links)

-My introduction to Advent practice came from walking through Watch and Wait: A Guide for Advent and Christmas by Jim Branch. It will never get old for me and is new every time. It practically puts you in the Word and also provides places of insight for further reflection. It would be a GREAT primer for someone who has never done Advent before.
-Russ Ramsey’s The Advent of the Lamb of God. There is a review from me of this book on my instastories, (see book review highlight) but I have so enjoyed this book because Russ has broken down the story of the coming of Jesus into smaller portioned, but power packed narratives. The book has 25 chapters and can be read like a 10 minutes or less devotional each day. It would be a great read to finish out this season and lead you into the New Year as well as one to hang on to for next year, or give as a gift!
-Prophecy Hope: An Advent Reflection on Hope, Peace, Love and Freedom by Dante Stewart. I am a little late to the party on this one, and am I just diving in on this one because I have read excerpts and heard rave reviews from trusted friends. You can receive this resource as a free download from the author!! How incredibly generous (and helpful to start your Advent now!)
-Heart & Home Christmas: Celebrating Joy in Your Living Space by Victoria Duerstock. This was a sweet surprise for me. It would be the perfect gift for a family member or friend, (or even a teacher gift!) or something to keep for yourself with short but impactful, devotionals for each day, ideas for connecting as a family during this busy season as well as little home decor type tips. I also did a review of this on my instastories if you’d like to hear a little more!
-Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas by Ann Voskamp. This is a BEAUTIFUL book with devotions telling the story of Advent. I would suggest this book for older kids with a little bit longer attention spans.
-I cannot say enough good things about the studies the Daily Grace Co., She Reads Truth, and Well Watered Women put out for Advent. I do think they are all either sold out or past purchase to ship times mid Advent of 2019, but these would be great book marks for next season. HOWEVER, 1) All three of them have awesome resources for Christmas gifts! 2) You can still dive in on the DGCo and SRT studies via their apps/websites, which I listed above!

Kids Resources:

-The Jesus Storybook Bible’s website has resources you can download for free!
-We also at our house use the Jesse Tree concept with a Jesus Storybook Bible reading plan (this is a Pinterest link with LOTS of options.)
-I really have loved My Christmas Story Tree by Dr Mary Manz Simon for talking with my toddler about Christmas images and connecting them to the Biblical story.
-We love celebrating Jesus’ birthday through throwing a Birthday party on Christmas Eve (hear more about that on episode 14 of the podcast!) Here are Pinterest ideas for that as well.

Music:

-The Behold the Lamb of God album from Andrew Peterson is hands down my favorite gift to Christmas and you can hear it on Spotify.
-I have an Advent playlist I’m always updating on my spotify page!
-The Jesus Storybook Bible website has a link to an Advent playlist

I hope this serves you, friend. Jesus is the Light of the World always. There’s no perfect way to seek Him, its just the courage to follow where the Light leads.