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

            Advent Conspiracy

            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

              

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