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Best Christmas Advent Books, Calendars and Devotionals (2024)

Kathleen

by Kathleen Pope Nov 25, 2024

Pinterest Image for Best Advent devotionals for women with woman sitting near window, with book and snuggly blanket while it snows outside.
Long pin with image of woman reading advent book and bottom image of women reading by fire. Best advent books for women, kids and families.

The best family Christmas Advent books, Advent devotionals, and Advent calendars for 2023. Do you choose a new advent book every year or re-read a treasured one? Plus, I have some great ideas for Christmas Advent Calendars 2023.

Advent candles with greenery for advent books.
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure & privacy policy.

Carefully Curated Advent Books and Advent Devotionals

A beautiful retelling of the Christmas story, from the people inside the story! A quick and easy read. The Promise and the Light by Katy Morgan. I loved it, you can read a chapter a day, or read it like a novel. It’s written for kids from 8-12, but honestly, I guess it brings the kid out in me.

  • Carefully Curated Advent Books and Advent Devotionals
  • When Is Advent 2023?
  • What Is Advent?
  • Advent Books and Advent Devotionals for the family
  • Favorite Christmas Advent Calendars for 2023
  • Head over to my shop page to see and shop all of these fun items!
  • Favorite Online Advent Studies for Women
  • Food and Advent Ideas
  • What are your favorite Advent Books?

I just received The Christmas Devotional: Hope and Humor for the Holidays and An Unlikely Advent: Extraordinary People of the Christmas Story — both I know I am going to love! But read on, there’s so much more!

So whip up a quick, warm cup of tea or Christmas Morning Chai or this eggnog latte and join me in preparing room in our hearts this cherished and sacred season.

A boy and girl opening an advent calendar.

When Is Advent 2023?

Advent always starts the 4th Sunday before Christmas, this year the Advent season 2023 is December 3 through December 24, 2023.

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
Three siblings sitting near the Christmas tree reading an advent book.

Advent Books and Advent Devotionals for the family

This can vary from person to person, so this list is a list of MY favorite family Advent books for 2023 many can be done as a family, and others can be done individually and some are to ready with your children or grandchildren.

I would love to hear what your favorites are as well! Please comment below.

Best Advent Books for 2023

A list of The Fresh Cooky's Best Family Advent Devotional Books for 2023, from simple daily devotionals, family-friendly activities and stories, and more deep, in-depth studies for women and men.

1

The Christmas Devotional: Hope & Humor For The Holidays

This is hot off the presses, just arrived yesterday and I KNOW I am going to love this. Because humor is what gets me through life! That and my faith in Jesus, so what a great devotional for the holidays.

It’s the perfect Christmas devotional for the Christmas fanatic. You know, the one.

The person who―if they could―would celebrate Christmas all year round.

The one who unapologetically starts playing Christmas music in October and knows the words to every Christmas carol. (This is me!)

It’s written for the person who starts decorating for Christmas way before Thanksgiving.

This devotional is for the person who lives and breathes the holiday season and carries the Christmas spirit all year long.

More specifically, this devotional features 40 of the most beloved Christmas traditions and the history behind each one. And, that’s not all. With each tradition, award-winning authors and Christmas enthusiasts Michelle Medlock Adams and Andy Clapp unearth a biblical truth that connects the reader with the true meaning of the Season.

2

An Unlikely Advent

This four-week Advent study focuses on the experiences of four sets of often overlooked characters in the Nativity story. During this Advent season, Rachel Billups guides readers through the themes of hope, love, joy, and peace by sharing the stories of Elizabeth and Zechariah, Herod, the Magi, and the shepherds. Each set of unexpected characters has something to teach about living faithfully on the journey to Christmas.

3

Advent: The Season of Hope (Fullness of Time)

I have been devouring this since last week. Beautifully written history of Advent written by one of my favorite authors, Tish Harrison Warren.

"Christians believe not just in one coming of Christ, but in three."

We tend to think of Advent as the season of anticipation before Christmas―and while it is that, it’s also much more. Throughout its history, the church has observed Advent as a preparation not only for the first coming of Christ in his incarnation but also for his second coming at the last day. It's also about a third coming: the coming of Christ to meet us in our present moment, to make us holy by his Word and Sacrament.

In this short volume, priest and writer Tish Harrison Warren explores all three of these "comings" of Christ and invites us into a deeper experience of the first season of the Christian year.

4

Christmas: The Season of Life and Light (Fullness of Time)

Just got this, and I KNOW I am going to enjoy this with a warm cup of tea snuggled on the couch with a roaring fire.

"O wondrous exchange!"

Of all the seasons of the church calendar, Christmas is the one most recognized and celebrated by our society at large. That means it's the season we're most familiar with―but that can also make it harder to see past Christmas's many cultural trappings to its timeless beauty.

At the first Christmas, God exchanged the glories of divinity for the vulnerability of human existence, uniting himself to us in order to unite us to God. In this short volume, priest and theologian Emily Hunter McGowin invites us into the church's celebration of that great exchange, in all its theological and liturgical splendor.

5

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!

6

Heaven and Nature Sing: 25 Advent Reflections to Bring Joy to the World

I was caught in Hannah's introduction to the book, paraphrasing, she says, "perhaps you are like me and get caught up in the season, loose the book for two weeks, or just don't have time to sit down and enjoy it, feel free to pick it up at any time, binge read a few sections or read it in a more traditional liturgical style." I've got this one coming too!

7

The Promise of Christmas: 25 Reflections for Advent

A unique view into the promise of Christmas, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, "The Christmas Story as You've Never Heard It".

8

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!

9

Unwrapping the Names of Jesus: An Advent Devotional

10

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.

11

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.

12

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.

13

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.

14

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. 

15

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!

16

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.

17

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!

18

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!

19

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!)

20

The Adventure of Christmas: Helping Children Find Jesus in Our Holiday Traditions

Our families favorite activity, information, kid friendly Advent book!

Favorite Christmas Advent Calendars for 2023

Here are a few advent calendars for kids and adults, because counting down each day is plain fun!

Advent Calendars for Adults & Kids at Heart

  1. Puzzle lovers? How about this Puzzle Advent Calendar? Love it!
  2. For the woodland lovers! This LL Bean Advent Calendar (reusable year after year)
  3. A sweet treat for every day of Advent, this fun Advent calendar from Bonne Mamam 23 mini spreads and 1 honey!
  4. Start your Christmas gifting early with this Harry & David Advent calendar filled with sweet treats.
  5. The Christmas popcorn advent calendar is sizzling!
  6. Tea Lovers Advent Calendar, surprise a friend or loved one with a new warm sip daily.
  7. Auntie’s Advent Cookie Cookbook – I couldn’t resist!
Wooden advent calendar with little doors and a Merry Christmas tag.

Best Advent Calendars for Kids

  1. The Wonder of the Greatest Gift: An Interactive Family Celebration of Advent by Ann Voskamp, a beautifully written and illustrated advent calendar.
  2. Play-Doh Advent Calendar | Keep those little hands busy for a few minutes while you sip a steaming Christmas Morning Chai Tea latte.
  3. Cloth Advent Calendar | The kids will love to play the Nativity out day by day, as Advent moves towards Christmas, counting down the days.
  4. Sticker Advent Calendar | a simple, great reminder, you can get one for each child!
  5. How darling is this Thomas the Train advent calendar?
  6. Little People Advent Nativity | For years our boys enjoyed this hands-on nativity.
  7. Chocolate Advent Calendar | always a fun little treat and reminder of each day counting down to Christmas.
  8. When our boys were young, we did more of a traditional advent wreath and calendar, but I also usually caved and bought them a Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar 2023.

Head over to my shop page to see and shop all of these fun items!

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)

Advent wreath with lit candles and a nativity in the center.

Food and Advent Ideas

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.
  • Crockpot 3-Ingredient Chicken | Crazy easy and so good!
  • Crockpot London Broil | 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, or make this White Hot Chocolate or regular hot chocolate.
  • Make up a batch of these Crockpot Peanut Clusters, then package them and gift them (free Christmas gift tags) to friends, teachers and neighbors.
Bible open to Luke chapter 2.

What are your favorite Advent Books?

What are your favorite Advent books or Advent Devotionals, I would love to hear and possibly add them to my own reading list.

Whatever you do this Christmas, I hope you experience the HOPE, PEACE and JOY that the name Immanuel, God with us brings! Be sure to comment with your favorite family advent devotional books and calendars too!

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