I am sharing our favorite Advent books for 2020. The best Family Advent Devotional books, plus my favorite advent books for women.
What Is Advent?
Many understand that Advent is celebrated starting the fourth Sunday before Christmas, but what IS Advent?
Some people may know that the Advent season focuses on expectation and think that it serves as an anticipation of Christ’s birth in the season leading up to Christmas. This is part of the story, but there’s more to Advent.
The word “Advent” is derived from the Latin word adventus, meaning “coming,” which is a translation of the Greek word parousia. Scholars believe that during the 4th and 5th centuries in Spain and Gaul, Advent was a season of preparation for the baptism of new Christians at the January feast of Epiphany, the celebration of God’s incarnation represented by the visit of the Magi to the baby Jesus (Matthew 2:1), his baptism in the Jordan River by John the Baptist (John 1:29), and his first miracle at Cana (John 2:1). During this season of preparation, Christians would spend 40 days in penance, prayer, and fasting to prepare for this celebration; originally, there was little connection between Advent and Christmas.
Source
Family Advent Devotional
Obviously, this can vary from person to person, so this list is a list of MY favorite family Advent devotional books for 2020, many can be done as a family, others can be done individually.
I would love to hear what your favorites are as well! Please comment below.
Best Advent Books for 2020
A list of The Fresh Cooky's Best Family Advent Devotional Books for 2020, from simple daily devotionals, family friendly activities and stories and more deep, in depth studies for women and men.
Countdown to Christmas Advent Collection (Adventures in Odyssey)
A long time family favorite of ours, this is great especially if you are making a long drive! Or take one Adventure a night and you will have a few weeks worth of exciting fun. Maybe drive around and see Christmas lights, light the fire and get in your PJ's and listen, make it an Adventure!
The Greatest Gift: Unwrapping the Full Love Story of Christmas
Probably one of my all time favorites, although any of Ann Voskamp's books always teach and speak to me!
Jesus Calling for Christmas, padded hardcover, with full Scriptures
Shorter Advent devotional with scriptures, beautiful images and meaningful reminders of the reason behind the season.
The Dawning of Indestructible Joy: Daily Readings for Advent
The Christmas season is one of the busiest times of the year. But it is also a season of reflection and preparation for that special day when we mark Immanuel’s coming―the arrival of our eternal God in our own frail humanity.
Expecting Christmas: Daily Readings for the Season of Joy
That first Christmas, the world missed His coming. They missed worshipping the newborn King. Two thousand years later, people are still missing Him. What if you’re missing Him? But what would this Christmas be like if your heart was prepared to expect Christ? Expecting Christmas offers forty daily readings to help center your heart on the Christ of Christmas so you can respond to the peace, hope, and love made flesh in worship. This year let Christ fill your heart with the season of joy.
Come, Let Us Adore Him: A Daily Advent Devotional
This year, don't let Christmas sneak up on you again.The wonder and awe of the Christmas season can easily get overshadowed by lights, tinsel, bows, and paper―not to mention last-minute trips to the mall and visits to the in-laws. In all the hustle and bustle, we often lose sight of what’s most important. This book of daily readings for the month of December by best-selling author Paul David Tripp will help you slow down, prepare your heart, and focus on what matters most: adoring our Savior, Jesus.
Immanuel: Reflections On the Life of Christ
BILLY GRAHAM SPECIAL EDITION. 1990 THOMAS NELSON trade paperback, Michael Card (John: The Gospel of Wisdom). Take a walk through Jesus life for a new understanding of what, "Immanuel," or, "God with us," really means. Michael Card, in his unique style, walks with us by quoting scripture, telling stories that are true to the gospel, and with poetry (many have heard them put to music, such as El Shaddai, Come to the Table, Known by the Scars, Joseph's Song, etc.). This book covers Immanuel's incarnation, His ministry, and the Passion. Get ready to relax in the loving arms of, "God with us."
Because of Bethlehem: Love Is Born, Hope Is Here
In the midst of your hectic Christmas season, Max will help you:
- Rekindle your connection to the Christ of Christmas who offers lasting hope.
- Lay down your endless Christmas to-do list and receive what Jesus has already done.
- Heal your heartache by embracing the God who is always near you, always for you, and always in you.
As you curl up in a comfortable spot and look into the odd, wonderful story of Bethlehem, may you find enduring hope for all seasons of your life.
Advent - Bible Study Book: The Weary World Rejoices
Experience the Christmas season anew this year by studying Advent, why we celebrate it, and how it fuels our worship of Jesus. Understand the anticipation and waiting the Old Testament world endured, the joy and new life signaled by the coming of Christ, and the way Advent points to the glory of God still to come. (5 sessions)
A Promise Kept: A Pictorial Journey of the Coming of Christ
A beautiful pictorial journey through Advent! By one of my favorite teachers and authors!
Celebrating Christmas with Jesus: An Advent Devotional
Every Christmas, Christians all over the world celebrate the Advent season, recognizing the love, hope, joy, and peace that is found only in Jesus Christ. Through this 30-day devotional, Max Lucado brings to light the many events in the life of Christ from birth to ascension that demonstrate His omnipotence and the gift that God has given each one of us to enjoy during this Christmas season. Experience each moment as our Savior becomes the center of this Christmas for you.
Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas
Another that our kids are now too old for, but Ann Voskamp always does a beautiful job!
The Jesus Storybook Bible A Christmas Collection: Stories, songs, and reflections for the Advent season
From one of our favorite Children's Storybook authors comes the Christmas edition!
The Advent Storybook: 25 Bible Stories Showing Why Jesus Came
While we don't have this book, it appears to be a beautiful daily Advent storybook for kids (and I bet adults who read it to kids too!)
The Adventure of Christmas: Helping Children Find Jesus in Our Holiday Traditions
Our families favorite activity, information, kid friendly Advent book!
Favorite Online Advent Studies for Women
These are a few that I have done and always get so much out of them, they are new every year.
- First5 App | a free online app with daily, short devotions
- Proverbs 31 Ministries | online, daily email or app, also free
- Ann Voskamp | online, daily email, always so encouraging and fresh, free
- She Reads Truth | Daily online free devotional, App
“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life.” John 3:16 (the Message)
While you sit down to enjoy an advent adventure together, here are a few recipes you might enjoy:
- Bread and Butter Pot Roast | start in the morning, enjoy a simple tasty dinner
- Slow Cooker Butter Chicken | Another start in the afternoon, easy dinner
- Chicken & Sausage Jambalaya | this not spicy hot Jambalaya is a family favorite
- Make some classic cutout cookies (or try this Oatmeal variation) together and talk about one of the devotions while cutting out or decorating the cookies.
- Enjoy some festive Cranberry Spritzers by the fire
Whatever you do this Christmas, I hope you experience the HOPE, PEACE and JOY that the name Immanuel, God with us brings!
