Books, devotionals, & prayers can be a great way to engage in the Advent season! I have many Advent and Christmastide books that I love and want to share with you in case you are on the lookout for some reading this season!
Advent Devotionals:
We Light the Candles by Catharine Brandt
This small booklet gives a liturgy for you to do as a family every day of Advent as you gather around your Advent Wreath. It is simple, but in depth at the same time and is a great way to gather around the table each evening or morning to focus on Christ.
The Anticipated Christ by Brian Zahnd
This devotional goes through both Advent and Christmastide, right up to Epiphany. This is a not a family devotional, but for adults. Zahnd has such a poetic way of engaging scripture and I personally loved this devotional and have used it multiple different years.
Waiting on the Word by Malcom Guite
If you like poetry, you will love this book! This is a poem a day for the season of Advent. It gives a new way to embrace the season through art and beautiful language.
Thin Spaces Everywhere by Bruce Epperly
This book is a devotional not for Advent, but for Christmastide (12 days of Christmas). It is from a Celtic Christian viewpoint. Christmas is not a day, but a season. This is a great book to go through the journey of Christmas.
Children’s Books
This is the Stable by Cynthia Cotten
This book is so beautiful! It poetically tells the story of the nativity with diverse imagery and beautiful lyricism. Such a great way to teach and rest in the Christmas story with a child.
Legend of the Candy Cane by Lori Walburg
This fictional story helps teach children who Jesus is using a holiday favorite, a candy cane! Snuggle up and snack on a candy cane while reading!
Hark! A Christmas Sampler by Jane Yolen and Tommie de Paola
I love any book by Tommie de Paola but especially Christmas books! This book has fun illustrations and lots of Christmas stories, poems, and songs to fill the whole Advent and Christmas season.
Twelve Days of Christmas by Jan Brett
This book based on the fun Christmas song has gorgeous artwork by Jan Brett (love all her books!). This is a great book to read to kids during Christmastide to remember God’s abundant gifts to us!
Fictional Books
I love reading fiction and think fiction books can hold so much truth and wisdom. Here are some of the classic books that I love to read during this time of year.
The Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis
This beloved Narnia book is the perfect Advent read. As we focus on waiting and yearning for Christ, we can relate to the Pevensie Children yearning for their family they are separated from in wartime England as well as with the Narnians who are living in a land that is “always winter but never Christmas”. Waiting in desolate cold, with no Aslan and no Christmas joy. This book is great for adults, older children, and everyone in between!
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
A classic for a reason! This book helps us focus on the Spirit of Christmas and what truly matters this time of year. One of my favorite quotes from the book is, “I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach.”
What are you reading this Advent season? Either as a family, individually, or for kids! I’m always interested in finding new books!
Be Blessed & Be a Blessing,
-Maddie