Making the Most of Advent
"I can't believe it's Christmastime already!"
This is what I say every year but this year I feel like it's snuck up on me more than ever before. Before we know it we'll be left with a pile of wrapping paper and a stomach full of Christmas dinner.
But this season is about more than holiday traditions, it's about Jesus. Those of us who are Christians heartily agree to that but we can deny it with our time and focus. Traditionally "Advent" (which means "arrival) is a season the church has used to look back to Christ's coming and forward to Christ's return. It's a season of spiritual watching and waiting as we meditate on the truths of Jesus.
So how do you focus your heart his Advent? Here are three resource that can help:
Good News of Great Joy: An Advent Devotional
This devotional from pastor John Piper is a wonderful, short, meditation on the truths of Advent each day. Each is based on a specific verse and will help you pause for a moment and see Jesus more clearly. You can read the devotional on your phone or on your computer. You can download or order a book. You can listen to it. You can even get a daily devotional emailed to you each day. Desiring God has made this as easy as they can. Best of all its free! (Unless you want a physical book)
Prepare Him Room: Celebrating the Birth of Jesus Family Devotional
For families, this Advent devotional is packed with concepts kids can engage with, fun activities, and even an ongoing story for each week of Advent. It's a great way to bring the whole family into the season.
Prepare Him Room Music Album
This album from Sovereign Grace Music is one of my favorites. It has old hymns in new arrangements as well as new songs that help you meditate on the birth of Jesus. This is perfect to put on while you're working around the house, or slowly listening through as part of your devotional time. Whatever you do, make sure you read the lyrics to the songs here and not just hum to the tunes--they're packed with powerful truth.
Want to just stream the album? You can find it here on Spotify or other streaming platforms
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