Advent provides a needed break in our routines. In spite of our noble intentions, the Christmas season is often  a time that is counter productive to our spiritual growth. Let's make Advent this year something different!
While the world is hectic and busy, may we learn the beauty of Advent as a season of waiting. While the world is obsessing over gifts, may we be satisfied in the gift of Christ, the perfect gift from heaven.  
"Jesus is coming. He’s coming and so there is Hope. The First Advent meant Hope for Israel; the Second Advent means Hope for the Church. The First Advent was to give us a taste of eternity; the Second Advent is to usher in eternity. The First Advent brought a Messiah to show us the way; the Second Advent brings a Messiah to take us home." (Jeremy Linneman)
Below are resources that we trust will be helpful as you seek to create traditions and routines this Advent season that will draw the hearts of all in your home to the hope of the advent in Bethlehem and the expectation of the second advent.
RESOURCE CATEGORIES:

1. Scripture Readings
2. Devotional Books
3. Family Leadership during advent

The best resource is something that you probably already have in your house! You don't need to open you amazon app and start purchasing books to have a meaningful advent. Check out the following reading plans and pick one to follow. If you have children, I encourage you to prepare them before you start. Give them an idea of what to expect and communicate expectations and  with them before you start.

• Visual Theology - a beautiful printable reading plan
  
• You Version Bible Reading plans for Advent
• 25 Days of Advent Readings
• Jesus Storybook Bible Reading plan (for younger children)
• Advent Readings - From Genesis to Revelation (Blue Letter Bible)

There are many wonderful devotionals written that will help guide you and your family through advent. Most on this list are books, but some are free  online resources.
FOR ADULTS

• Repeat the Sounding Joy - by Christopher Ash (this is the book that will be used in the Marlowe home this advent)
  
• Come Let Us Adore Him - by Paul Tripp (If you love the New Morning Mercies devotional we have handed out at SCBC, you'll love this devotional. It's a bit difficult for children to follow along based on my experience.
• The One True Light - by Tim Chester
• The Dawn of Redeeming Grace - by Sinclair Ferguson
• The Dawning of Indestructible Joy - by John Piper (also available online)

FOR CHILDREN / FAMILY

• God's Big Promises Advent Calendar -"This attractive 25-door Advent calendar for children aged 3-7 years old is linked with God's Big Promises Bible Storybook. It also comes with a booklet containing 25 short, simple devotions for December, to help families explore the Christmas story together."
• Wonders of His Love: Finding Jesus in Isaiah - by Champ Thornton. This book is written for families with lower elementary age children. The book has four weeks of devotionals with five devotionals for each week. There is a special Christmas day devotional. This is a highly recommended resource - our family has benefited greatly by other devotional books written by Champ Thornton.
• The Light Before Christmas - Bland-Halulko, Sarah (illustrator); Machowski, Marty
• The Christmas Promise Advent Calendar - "A long, long time ago, so long that it’s hard to imagine, God promised a new King. He wasn’t any ordinary king, like the ones we see on TV or in books. He would be different. He would be a new King; a rescuing King; a forever King! This Calendar helps children discover exactly how God kept His Christmas Promise. Features the story ’The Christmas Promise’ and 25 stickers."
• A Jesus Christmas - Explore God's amazing plan for Christmas - by Barbara Reaoch. This recommendation comes from the Gerrick family who have appreciated Barbara's Easter devotional. Ask them about it for an unbiased and personal  recommendation!

Do you have any advent traditions or resources that you'd like to share? We'd love to hear about them!
Note - links are to wtsbookstore or other similar online merchants - there may be more affordable vendors. SCBC or its staff does not receive any kind of compensation for these recommendations.

It's easy to get caught up with lists of things to do, consumerism, and just plain old busyness. How can we resist the appeal of the normal and create godly patterns during advent for ourselves and our families? Lindt chocolate advent calendars are  not normal, they contain superior chocolate. Because of that, they are a cherished advent tradition in the Marlowe home. However, they are not the only solution to these problems, Here are some resources to help you make a break from normal to think and plan for a Christ-centered advent in your home.

• Sacred Seasons: A Family Guide to Center Your Year Around Jesus - Hitchen, Danielle; Crotts, Stephen (artist)  "In Sacred Seasons, Danielle Hitchen helps you incorporate the rhythms and rituals of this ancient Christian discipline into your everyday family life. Part theology, part church history, and part practical spirituality, Sacred Seasons provides an easy-to-use guide to observing the liturgical year complete with fun activities, delicious recipes, and meaningful liturgies. Grow your family's faith in tangible ways as you experience the meaning and joy of each sacred season together."
• Advent: The Difficult Discipline of Celebrating the Waiting (article) - Timothy Paul Jones. This article summarizes the significance of Advent and waiting. "Advent is about waiting, and waiting contributes little to the gross domestic product. In a religious milieu that has fixated itself on using Jesus to provide seekers with their most convenient lives here and now, Advent is a particularly awkward intrusion. Advent links our hearts with those of ancient prophets who pined for a long-promised Messiah but passed long before his arrival."