Advent Resources for Families
Advent begins this Sunday, and along with it, two commonly asked questions: “What, again, is Advent?” and, “How should we observe it?”
As parents, this may be of particular interest to us on account of our children, whose love for presents, treats, and Christmas lights tends to soar toward idol-like levels this time of year. And they’re certainly not the only ones. Every time we enter a store, drive past a billboard, or receive yet another unrequested gift catalog in the mail, we too feel the draw toward Christmas novelty. We too experience the temptation, “this is what I really need this Christmas.”
Should we respond, as Christians, by simply rejecting all things commercial Christmas? We certainly don’t need to. After all, we are free in this season, just as in any other, to enjoy the good offered us (stockings and sleigh bells included). Still, we should do so with the awareness that what’s good always carries with it the potential to replace what’s best within our hearts — and especially so when we’re careless. And though each December, the task of maintaining the distinction between good and best can seem to grow in difficulty, this is precisely where Advent can help us — parents as well as children.
Which, of course, leads us back to our two questions.
What Is Advent?
To begin, Advent is a season of waiting.
Waiting as a form of remembrance — calling to mind the centuries-long anticipation of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem.
Waiting as a means of anticipation — eagerly awaiting Jesus’ second coming and consummation of his kingdom.
Waiting as an act of resistance — proclaiming that the goods of this world are insufficient for our deepest longings.
Waiting as an expression of faith — confidently asserting that one day Jesus will return and then we will wait again no longer.
Advent is a season of waiting. And, oh, how good a thing it is to be among those who are found waiting (Luke 12:37)!
How Should We Observe Advent?
Now, what is it that we should be doing during Advent? How should we go about waiting well for Jesus in this season and helping our families to do the same?
For each family, there will be slightly different answers to this question depending on the ages and maturity levels of children. Schedules and rhythms should obviously factor in as well, as could personalities and giftings. Because of this, we’ve curated a list of three different types of Advent resources in hope that all families could be helped by making use of at least one of them.
May God give you discernment for choosing what to use with your family this year during Advent. And may he bless your determination to put it to everyday use.
Devotionals
The short and focused format of devotionals are well-suited for families and can be returned to year after year. These ones in particular are composed of meditations deep enough to stir the souls of parents, and yet still accessible enough to encourage and woo the hearts of children. Here are three that are well worth your while:
Promises Made Promises Kept: A Family Devotional for Christmas by Marty Machowski
A book that ties together the story of the Old Testament to the New and even has you literally flipping it over partway through.
A Jesus Christmas: Explore God's Amazing Plan for Christmas by Barbara Reaoch
Each of the 25 readings in this book includes a short explanation of the main point and a list of application questions phrased for big kids and little kids respectively.
The Biggest Story Family Devotional by Kevin DeYoung.
Not a Christmas devotional per-se, but one that you could pick and choose readings from leading all the way up to the birth of Jesus. This devotional is based off Kevin’s well-written and unfortunately titled, The Biggest Story Bible Storybook.
Catechisms
A catechism is simply a teaching technique that utilizes a list of questions and answers. One of the more well-known of these is that of the Westminster Catechism. A newer one that also features a children’s version is the New City Catechism. Unlike these and most other catechisms, this one below focuses specifically on the Advent and Christmas seasons, with children’s-length questions and answers included for both.
Cities Advent and Christmas Catechism
Songs
Lifting our voices in song together is a sweet and severely underutilized means of grace for us as families, and though there are certainly more well-known songs when it comes to Christmas, solid Advent songs are certainly out there. Here are three for you and your family to learn and sing together:
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Until He Comes Again
