Advent Resources for Young and Old (er)

Good-bye Autumn

Aren’t these porch pieces fun? Thank you, Sheila Anderson for blessing me with the two wicker chairs and iron table. I gladly took these off her hands since she didn’t have a space for them anymore. Lucky me! They used to look like this:

black spray paint for one easy makeover

Hello, Advent

 

I finally got around to putting away the Fall porch decor and am slowly catching up to the Christmas season. Somehow the first week of Advent flew by me.

So I’m a little late in choosing my daily Advent devotion, as well. Maybe I’m not the only one a bit behind!

But it’s never too late to add a special reading or advent activity to your devotional time. Here are some gems I’ve collected from friends and family in case you still need some inspiration.

For Adults

From Wende:
I’m using the daily readings from USCCB (United States Council of Catholic Bishops) this year. You can subscribe on their website and they’ll email a reading each day of Advent that includes a passage from the OT, a psalm, and something from the gospels. I like following the church calendar during Advent, and I enjoy the liturgy.
For the daily devotional, go here.

From Laurette:
I am reading Louie Giglio’s “Waiting Here For You” advent devotional. It’s very good so far, very rich and easy to read.
For devotional book, go here.

From Pam:
A variety of resources, pictured here~

Top Row: Advent and Christmas: Wisdom from Henri J. Nouwen
Come, Lord Jesus: Devotions for the Home by Susan Briehl
Advent Reflections: Revive, Restore, Reveal By Ruth Haley Barton

Bottom Selections: Between Two Advents by William Willimon
All Creation Waits by Gayle Boss (children and family)
A Season of Little Sacraments by Susan Swetnam
Preparing for Christmas by Richard Rohr

From Me:
I finally decided to stick with the devotional workbook, Morning Prayer, that I started a few weeks ago. It’s not an “Advent theme,” but is so enriching and formative I didn’t want to put it aside.  Morning Prayer is written by one of my former Ashland Seminary students, Dr. Roberta Cabot.
For a brief book review and ordering information, go here.

For Kids and Family

From Christy:
Out of Sync Christmas Lego Activity
For instructions, go here.

Truth in the Tinsel,  An Advent Experience for Little Hands
To order, go here.

From Isaac:
I enjoyed using the advent coloring sheets from this website, Illustrated Children’s Ministry.
– very high quality, definitely for kids with fine motor control
 A good resource for church, go here.

One of my friends from seminary who blogs also has some fun ideas:
Having Fun at Home, Our Family’s Advent Tradition
For information, go here.

Another fun idea from the same blogger:
Make your own Jesse tree tradition.
For instructions, go here.

I would be interested in what you’re reading these days as we prepare our hearts for the celebration of the Christ child.

Thanks everyone for the great resources.

If any more ideas roll in, I’ll do a Part II later this week.