Advent
In the season of Advent, we remember the many years—centuries, really—the people of God waited for the long-prophesied Messiah, who eventually arrived through the birth of Jesus. The word Advent, in fact, means “coming” or “arrival.” It marks the beginning of the liturgical year because it is where the story begins.
During this season, we assume a posture of waiting. We choose to enter the story as it happened for those who came before us: with anticipation, with groaning, with longing, with hope.
It is no new practice for us to wait in the dark. We, too, live in a world of shadows. We, too, trust in a future victorious day. We, too, cling with a stubborn hope to what God has promised: the return of our coming King. Advent is a time for us to practice the “already but not yet” kind of waiting.
—Jenn Giles Kemper
Below, you'll find an ever-growing collection of resources to help you deepen your experience of the season. Many of them were created by members of the Sacred Ordinary Days community of kindreds, and the list has been—and will continue to be—curated by our kindreds. Share your own recommendations for additional resources on the Sacred Ordinary Days Facebook page to have them added here.
Feasting on the Word Advent Companion: A Thematic Resource for Preaching and Worship by David L. Bartlett, Barbara Brown Taylor, and Kimberly Bracken Long, eds.
Cloth for the Cradle: Worship Resources and Readings for Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany by John Bell and Wild Goose Worship Group
God Is in the Manger: Reflections on Advent and Christmas by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Good Dirt: A Devotional for the Spiritual Formation of Families—Advent, Christmastide and Epiphany (Vol. 1) by Lacy Finn Borgo and Ben Barczi
We Light the Candles: Devotions Related to Family Use of the Advent Wreath by Catharine Brandt
Come, Lord Jesus: The Weight of Waiting by Kris Camealy
Songs in Waiting: Spiritual Reflections on Christ's Birth by Paul-Gordon Chandler
Destination Christmas! Advent Programs and Practices for Youth by Laura and Billy Echols-Richter
The Christmas Mystery by Jostein Gaarder
Behold! Cultivating Attentiveness in the Season of Advent by Pamela C. Hawkins
Prepare the Way: Cultivating a Heart for God in Advent by Pamela C. Hawkins
Simply Wait: Cultivating Stillness in the Season of Advent by Pamela C. Hawkins
Why This Jubilee? Advent Reflections on Songs of the Season by James C. Howell
Sacred Space for Advent and the Christmas Season 2016–2017 by the Irish Jesuits
Taste and See: Experiencing the Stories of Advent and Christmas by Jan Johnson
Advent Illustrated: Waiting 'Round the Wreath—A Seasons Illustrated Bible Journaling Study by Sarah Laughed
The Twenty-Four Days Before Christmas by Madeleine L'Engle
The Season of the Nativity: Confessions and Practices of an Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany Extremist by Sybil MacBeth
The Jesse Tree by Geraldine McCaughrean
What Are You Waiting For? by Christine McSpadden
Silence and Other Surprising Invitations of Advent by Enuma Okoro
Meeting the Messiah: Scriptures for the Advent Season by Kara Lassen Oliver
Circle of Grace: A Book of Blessings for the Seasons by Jan Richardson
Night Visions: Searching the Shadows of Advent and Christmas by Jan Richardson
Preparing for Christmas: Daily Meditations for Advent by Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM
Singing Mary's Song: An Advent Message of Hope and Deliverance by John A. Stroman
Christmastide: Prayers for Advent through Epiphany from the Divine Hours by Phyllis Tickle
Embodied Light: Advent Reflections on the Incarnation by Melissa Tidwell
Advent with Evelyn Underhill by Evelyn Underhill and Christopher L. Webber, ed.
Light of Lights: Advent Devotions from the Upper Room Daily Devotional Guide by Upper Room
God With Us: Rediscovering the Meaning of Christmas by Various
Goodness and Light: Readings for Advent and Christmas by Various
Watch for the Light: Readings for Advent and Christmas by Various
The Greatest Gift: Unwrapping the Full Love Story of Christmas by Ann Voskamp
Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas by Ann Voskamp
Not Yet Christmas: It's Time for Advent—A Daily Reader by J. D. Walt
Preparing for Jesus: Meditations on the Coming of Christ, Advent, Christmas, and the Kingdom by Walter Wangerin Jr.
Kneeling in Bethlehem: Poetry for Advent and Christmas by Ann Weems
Advent for Everyone: A Journey through Matthew by Tom Wright
Shadow & Light by Tsh Oxenreider
Advent Spotify playlist curated by Sacred Ordinary Days
Advent and Christmas Spotify playlist curated by kindred Sarah Eisele-Dyrli
Advent Spotify playlist curated by Erik Meyer and kindred Callie Swanlund (accompanied by Erik's commentary on each track, "A Little Advent Music")
Advent at Ephesus by Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles
Salvation Is Created: A Christmas Record by Bifrost Arts
Advent, Vol. 1 by The Brilliance
Advent, Vol. 2 by The Brilliance
Advent by The Calendar Years
"Canticle of the Turning" by Rory Cooney on Safety Harbor
Christmas Songs, Vol. 1 by Folk Angel
Headed Home: Christmas Songs, Vol. 2 by Folk Angel
Comfort & Joy: Christmas Songs, Vol. 3 by Folk Angel
Glad Tidings: Christmas Songs, Vol. 4 by Folk Angel
All the Earth Rejoice: Christmas Songs, Vol. 5 by Folk Angel
Live at Green Lux: Christmas Songs, Vol. 6 by Folk Angel
Tell Us of the Night: Christmas Songs, Vol. 7 by Folk Angel
The Light Came Down by Josh Garrels
The Longest Night: Christmas Songs of Lament and Longing by Russ Hitt
Unto Us by JJ Heller
Oh Light by The Liturgists
Lowborn King by The Modern Post
Good News by Ordinary Time
In the Town of David by Ordinary Time
Advent to Christmas by Page CXVI
Christmas Songs by Penny and Sparrow
Behold the Lamb of God—10th Anniversary Set by Andrew Peterson
A Family Christmas by The Piano Guys
Waiting Songs by Rain for Roots
A Child Is Born by Sojourn
Prepare Him Room: Celebrating the Birth of Jesus in Song by Sovereign Grace Music
Advent (Deluxe) by Young Oceans
S1 | E2 : Advent + Crafting Traditions with Jenn Giles Kemper and Lacy Clark Ellman on the Sacred Ordinary Days podcast
Crowding Out Christ in Our Hearts with Jonathan Martin on The Practice podcast
Advent with Alex Wilgus on the Word and Table podcast
"Advent" Godly Play by Godly Play Foundation
The God of Surprises: An Advent Reflection by James Martin, SJ
Advent Videos by The Religion Teacher
He Came Down by Speak Life
Advent 01. Hope. {The Greatest Gift} by Ann Voskamp
Advent 02. Peace. {The Greatest Gift} by Ann Voskamp
Advent 03. Joy. {The Greatest Gift} by Ann Voskamp
Advent 04. Love. {The Greatest Gift} by Ann Voskamp
Sacred Time: An Online Retreat for Advent and Christmas by Christine Valters Paintner at Abbey of the Arts
When the Heart Waits: A Soul Journey into Advent, Christmas + Epiphany by Tara Owens at Anam Cara
The Easiest DIY Wreath You'll See All Season—How to Make a Holiday Wreath at Apartment Therapy
On Advent by Tsh Oxenreider at The Art of Simple
An Easy, No-Frills Advent Calendar by Tsh Oxenreider at The Art of Simple
Celebrating St. Nicholas, the Real Santa Claus by Tsh Oxenreider at The Art of Simple
Advent Resources from Ruth Haley Barton and the Transforming Center
Grimm's Annual Calendar Ring at Bella Luna Toys
Wooden Advent Spiral at Bella Luna Toys
The Advent Project by Biola University's Center for Christianity, Culture, and the Arts
Celebrate Advent with the Jesus Storybook Bible (Including Free Printable Reading Plan) by Adriel Booker
Advent Resource Guide by the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship
Liberated by God's Grace by ECUSA, ACC, ELCA, and ELCC
26 Ideas for Advent (with Sybil MacBeth) by Rachel Held Evans
Hope: Reflections for Advent, Week 1 by Lisa Michaels at Flip Flops, Glitter, and Theology
Peace: Reflections for Advent, Week 2 by Lisa Michaels at Flip Flops, Glitter, and Theology
Joy: Reflections for Advent, Week 3 by Lisa Michaels at Flip Flops, Glitter, and Theology
Love: Reflections for Advent, Week 4 by Lisa Michaels at Flip Flops, Glitter, and Theology
Make Your Own Advent Wreath by Heather Sleightholm at Grow Christians
This Advent, How Will You Wait? by Nurya Love Parish at Grow Christians
Advent Confessions by Sarah Stripp at Guest of the Kingdom
Advent Art Journal by The Handcrafted Story
Weekly Advent Devotions for Busy Women Who Would Love to Do Daily Readings but Can't Find the Time by Stephanie Clinton at Hugs, Kisses, and Snot
Mary Consoles Eve by Rev. Jack King
#pictureAdvent Daily Photo Challenge by Life Enrichment Center
25 Days to Handel's Messiah: An Advent Devotional Guide by Cindy Rollins at Morning Time Moms
You Know What Sounds Awesome About Now? A Good, Juicy Apocalypse: An Advent Sermon by Nadia Bolz-Weber
The Shoulder Season of Advent by Siri Liv Myhrom at OnBeing
The Advent Coloring Calendar: A Coloring Book to Bless and De-Stress Through the Season by Paraclete Press
Peace Light — North America Facebook group
God With Us: An Advent Retreat with the O Antiphons by Pray as You Go and Sacred Space
Living the Magnificat by Pray as You Go
CountUP-to-Christmas Advent Calendar Templates by Sybil MacBeth at Praying in Color
Scrap Yarn Sock Advent Calendar by Anna Johanna on Ravelry
Advent and Christmas Resources by Reformed Worship
The Advent Door by Jan Richardson
Jesse Tree Project by Jacki Rucksdashel
Our Favorite TV Episodes during Advent by Tamara Hill Murphy at A Sacramental Life
The Beginning of Advent: What's Stirring Within You? by Lacy Clark Ellman at A Sacred Journey
An Advent Invitation: Keeping Vigil and Waiting With Anticipation by Lacy Clark Ellman at A Sacred Journey
The Final Days of Advent: How Will You Give Birth to the Holy? by Lacy Clark Ellman at A Sacred Journey
God With Us: An Advent Retreat with the O Antiphons by Sacred Space and Pray as You Go
Advent Illustrated by Sara Laughed at Seasons Illustrated
Advent Posts by She Reads Truth
'Twas the Day Before Advent by Joy Sherman
Wait with Me? An Advent Challenge by Leah Slawson
#AdventWord by the Society of Saint John the Evangelist
Lumen Divinum: A Retreat for Advent by Contemplative Outreach at Spirituality & Practice
Wisdom for Advent and Christmas by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat at Spirituality & Practice
Still Forming Advent Meditations 2015 by Christianne Squires at Still Forming
Advent Now! Sermons by Hope Church Chelsea
Wandering Wisemen Facebook page
DIY Painted Votive Advent Wreath by Ann Marie at White House Black Shutters
Preparing Heart and Home: Advent by Jennifer Mackintosh at Wildflowers & Marbles
* Some links are affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra to use them, but they support our work in gathering and sharing resources like these with you.
| CHRISTMAS > |
