Advent Resources

Podcast: The 4 Christmas Killers Pete Scazzero he is speaking to leaders in the church but it can totally be applied to your life and mine! Make it to the end, #4 is $$$. Here is the book he references, Practicing the Presence of God.

YouTube video: The best gift you could give yourself this Advent season is learning to sit in silence with the Lord. Pete Scazzero takes you through a beginning experience in this YouTube video, Breath: Being with God in Silence.

On to music! We need some great background truth playing throughout the season. Yall these are my absolute favorite 2 albums and move me to worship on the regular.

1. Andrew Peterson’s Behold the Lamb of God
2. Christy Nockels‘ The Thrill of Hope Renewed

Christy Nockels’ album just came out and that last song has been on repeat. Can’t stay seated when listening to it…. so good.

Ok on to books/devotionals… Here is a list and my thoughts on them…

1. Behold the Lamb of God by Russ Ramsey- This is the one I will be doing this year. Would love for you to read along with me so we can journey together! Just FYI the paperback version table of contents seems to show it is slightly different from my hardback version. If you want a cheaper version of what I have check for a used copy or go digital.
2. Watch and Wait by Jim Branch- I have done this one a few times. In wonderful Jim Branch fashion each day he has an opening prayer, scripture reading, journaling questions, reading for reflection, and a closing prayer. Excellent resource.
3. The Bible… should I be embarrassed this is #3 and shamefully move it to#1?! In the App Store on your phone search “BCP daily office readings.” The top result will take you through the traditional readings of the Advent season. Can’t go wrong with straight scripture!
4. Last year we did Ann Voskamp’s whole line. The Greatest Gift a devotional for me, Unwrapping the Greatest Gift devotional for the kids, and The Wonder of the Greatest Gift her 3D tree with daily ornaments to add to the tree. If you have never read Ann go to a bookstore and try out one of her books. She is very detailed and descriptive in her writing…some would call it wordy. I can enjoy the beauty of it but I know some people can’t and that is ok. I do think it was too flowery for my kids to grab on to at times but because I had sat in the same devotional, just the adult version, earlier that morning I was able to draw out her main points. I think I will try and find a way to incorporate the 3D tree into our morning routine. It comes with a short devotion/explanation about each ornament. My kids love that stuff.
5. Use the Jesus Storybook Bible for you and children as your advent devotional. Check out the free download here for details.

I haven’t read these but am curious about them- let me know your thoughts if you have used these before…

1. The Dawning of Indestructible Joy by John Piper
2. Hidden Christmas by Tim Keller
3. Advent and Christmas Wisdom from Henri Nouwen.

Please add in the comments resources you have used and liked!