What is Advent? Why do we observe and/or celebrate this time of year? How do people observe this time? These are questions that I have been pondering as advent comes up. This blog post will not be very long, but I hope to provide you with some of the basics and some resources if you want to dive deeper into this season. Links to everything discussed will be available at the bottom of this page.
🎄When is Advent? On the traditional, church calendar, Advent begins 4 Sundays before Christmas. This is next Sunday, December 3rd. However, I know the IF: Gathering study begins tomorrow, November 27th and at least one church that I know of began their sermon series on Advent today.
🎄What is an Advent calendar? Advent calendars can kind of be whatever you want them to be. They traditionally go from December first through the twenty-fifth. As a child, I loved having an advent calendar that was made out of cardboard. Every day I would get to open one door on the calendar and eat the super-cheap, tasteless chocolate that was found inside. In my adult life I have seen a variety of different Advent calendars. I've seen some that are pockets and each day you pull out a good deed you want to do for the day, or a scripture for the day, or an ornament to hang on your tree. They even have beer and Lego Advent calendars. I think that an Advent calendar should be something that makes you take a moment and stop and reflect on part of God's story or something that He has done in your life. Hey, if beer does that, I say go for it! Pinterest has all kinds of creative Advent calendars for adults, children, and the whole family!
🎄What studies are available for Advent? While there are many studies available, there are only a few that I have seen and can recommend. There are books, online studies, and apps with Advent studies. For this part, I will mention a few apps/websites and books will be addressed a little later on. She Reads Truth and the IF: Gathering both have great studies available for Advent on their websites/apps. This year the IF: Gathering Study is called "Emmanuel" and it begins tomorrow. She Reads Truth has a study this year called "Joy to the World" and it begins December 3rd. Both of these have actual books that you can purchase, or you can view the studies through the apps or their websites. The She Reads Truth app study costs a few dollars, but if you go to the website, the study is free. The Bible App by YouVersion also has some Advent studies that you can download for free.
🎄What books are recommended for Advent? I haven't typically read any books specifically for advent, but when I asked, I got a few recommendations from others. My Mom said, "I read a book beginning in December t feed my spirit and increase my knowledge of the miracle, mystery & marvel that is Jesus' birth. I've read a new one each year for the last few years." Here are the suggestions that I received. As I said earlier, there will be links at the end. "Hidden Christmas" by Timothy Keller, "The Women of Christmas" by Liz Curtis Higgs, and "The Greatest Gift: Unwrapping the Full Love Story of Christmas" by Ann Voskamp. I have also seen a family Advent book by Ann Voskamp that I will link at the end if you're interested in checking it out.
🎄What am I planning on doing for Advent? Why? I honestly haven't been a super faithful Advent observer, but I want to be this year. I want to make a conscious effort to spend time with God and reflecting on the true joy that comes with this season and the story of His birth. Growing up in the church, it feels like the Christmas story has become monotonous. I don't want to live in that space any longer. I am in a season of big transitions in my life and I don't want to be anywhere other than fully trusting God with each step and knowing Him on a deeper level every day. I listened to a podcast a couple days ago that goes into great depth about Advent. It was Annie F. Downs' podcast. If you haven't listened to it you definitely should. Annie pointed out that this is a season that is so hard for so many people. It can be a very lonely season. As a single person, I have been there many times. I want to live differently this year. I really want to seek the joy that can be found in this season and ultimately in Christ. I even bought a nativity set that has the letters J-O-Y behind it to remind me. Seriously though, you all should listen to the podcast (yes, I'll post a link 😊). Annie is interviewing the writers of She Reads Truth so it may be a little biased in promoting their study, but it gives great background behind advent as well.
🎄You mentioned links? I hope this has been somewhat helpful and I pray you all have a wonderful Christmas season and find much joy in our Savior. Now here are the links!
Here is the church that I mentioned started a sermon series on Advent today. Their podcast is not up from today yet, but when it is, it can be found here: The Austin Stone
Pinterest Advent Calendars
She Reads Truth
IF: Gathering
YouVersion
Hidden Christmas
The Women of Christmas
The Greatest Gift
The Wonder of the Greatest Gift: Family Devotional
That Sounds Fun Podcast: Annie F. Downs
