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Advent Devotional

Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

As we enter the season of advent and prepare our homes for Christmas, we want to encourage you, along with your family, to prepare your hearts for Emmanuel's arrival.


The church would like to gift each family a  copy of the book "Come, thou Long-Expected Jesus" by Nancy Guthrie for your personal advent devotional to guide you for the season of Advent. The books will be available on Sunday mornings at the Welcome Desk. 


We would encourage your family to also gather together at dinner or at bedtime to have a focused time on the true meaning of Christmas. As you are looking for ways to encourage your family and kids, to prepare your hearts together, we have compiled a list of recommendations below. These include books for your kids as well as possible advent activities to help engage your kids through this season.


Kids & family advent books

There are so many wonderful Advent resources available to families. We spent some time procuring a list of books and devotionals we recommend along with the ages of children we would recommend using them with. Whichever book you choose, now is the perfect time of year to spend those extra moments pointing your children to reflect on the arrival of Jesus Christ our Savior!

  • Promises Made

    Promises Kept

    "Start a new family tradition for the Christmas season by reading this “upside-down” book that includes fourteen Bible stories. Begin the week before Christmas with the first side, Promises Made which has seven stories that explore the Old Testament prophecies of the coming Messiah. On Christmas Day, flip the book over and continue by reading Promises Kept with seven more stories that vividly illustrate how Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection and the beginning of the church fulfill God’s promises."

    Recommended ages: Preschool to Preteen

  • The Christmas Story

    Brick By Brick

    "This faithful rhyming retelling of the Christmas story will help Lego-loving children to engage with the Christmas story afresh, highlighting the surprise and excitement of who Jesus is and why he came."

    Recommended ages: Preschool to Early Elementary

  • Longing for Christmas

    "Longing for Christmas: 25 Promises Fulfilled in Jesus, Advent Devotional for Teenagers by Chelsea Kingston Erikson, Do you remember what it felt like to be a little kid at Christmastime? There's nothing quite like the anticipation of Christmas morning. But the holiday can lose its wonder as we wake up to the many hard things going on in our lives and in the world. The loss we feel over our childhood experience points to a deeper longing inside all of us--for everything sad to be undone and for us to live together with God in perfect joy."

    Recommended ages: Teenagers

  • The World Rejoices

    "The World Rejoices is a practical resource for individuals and families, encouraging a slower December pace while counting down the days to Christmas. Each short daily reflection and Scripture reading from the first two chapters of the Gospel of Luke guides you toward a deeper connection with Jesus and a meaningful understanding of the Christmas story. Engaging activities interspersed throughout the book will give you a few minutes to unwind and enjoy the season."

    Recommended ages: Preteen to Adult

  • Discovering Christmas

    "Celebrate this Advent season with Discovering Christmas: A 25-Day Advent Devotional with Activities for Kids! Using four key themes of hope, joy, peace, and love, this interactive retelling of the first Christmas story invites families to focus on the most special reason we celebrate Christmas--the birth of our Savior."

    Recommended ages: Preschool to Early Elementary


  • Jesus came for me

    "We celebrate that Jesus came for us on Christmas, but what does this really mean to your little one? This beautifully designed board book tells the true story of Christmas to toddlers and preschoolers. Young children learn that God helps us believe and wait for him - and Jesus is the best King!" 

    Recommended ages: Toddler - Preschool

  • the Jesus storybook

    bible advent activity

    book

    "The days leading up to Christmas Day are called 'Advent.' Advent means 'Arrival.' It's a time of waiting for something exciting to happen. Who is arriving? What wonderful thing are we waiting for?" Trace the wonderful story of God's Secret Rescue Plan in the 24 days leading up to Christmas through guided crafts, games, songs, recipes and more.

    Recommended ages: Preschool - Lower Elementary

  • wonders of his love:

    finding jesus in isaiah

    "Advent is the perfect time for families to gather together and celebrate the birth of Jesus. Using striking, stunning, and surprising pictures of Jesus from Isaiah's prophecies - the Light, the Branch, the Shepherd, and the Savior - Wonders of His Love brings the true meaning of Christmas to life. This four week beautifully illustrated devotional will draw families closer to Jesus and each other."

    Recommended ages: Preschool - Elementary

  • the way to the

    manger

    "Gather your family to experience the richness of Advent together, reflecting on the true meaning of Christmas and celebrating the arrival of the Savior! The Way to the Manger walks through the themes of hope, love, joy, and peace with features and activities that will makes Advent a beloved and anticipated family tradition year after year."

    Recommended ages: Lower Elementary (up to about 3rd grade)

  • a better than anything

    christmas

    "Discover 25 reasons why Jesus came, and see how what he gives is far better than any other gifts we can receive - even at Christmas! Each day's devotional looks at a passage from the Gospels, and includes helpful questions and fun journaling space to help each member of the family reflect on how Jesus makes Christmas better."

    Recommended ages: All Elementary

  • the light before

    christmas

    "This four-week Advent family devotional by best-selling author Marty Machowski combines devotions on the theme of light and darkness with the story of eleven-year-old Mia and her grandmother as they prepare for Christmas. Grandma loves to share her faith, especially at Christmas time, and although she is blind, she can see the light of Jesus shining bright and helps Mia - and children of all ages - to do the same."

    Recommended ages: All Elementary

  • prepare him room

    "Share God's best gift with your family this year and start a lifetime of traditions with this gospel-focused, four-week Advent family devotional. Each week includes Bible readings, fun Christmas activities, songs, and an original Christmas story."

    Recommended ages: Older Elementary and up

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Kids Advent Activities

Some families will want to help engage their children by adding an activity to their devotion time. Please note these lists are meant to be an optional addition to the devotionals shared above. These are some fun and creative ideas to get you started. You can do one daily or weekly - it's up to you!

  • Family Advent Ideas

    Here is a list with a wide variety of opportunities include local service opportunities, reaching out to neighbors, and fun family activities.

  • Advent Giving Back & Quality time

    This list of ideas includes two separate lists, one of ideas of quality family time and one of ways to give to others.

  • Christmas countdown ideas

    This is a list of 45 meaningful things that you and your family can do to celebrate Christmas and remember the Christmas story.