Books/Family Devotionals
- Family Advent Devotional encourages families to reflect on and celebrate the story of Jesus’s birth through a video-enhanced 25-day devotional. It is divided into four weeks that each focus on a major theme of Advent: hope, peace, love, and joy. The book includes access to four videos that introduce each week’s theme, daily Scripture readings, and prompts for conversation and prayer.
- The Light Before Christmas contains thirteen devotionals—three for each of the four weeks of Advent and one more for Christmas. Each devotional includes a Scripture for the day, an object lesson, a focus Scripture, a question to discuss as a family, a song to sing together, and a prayer.
- Promises Made, Promises Kept shows families how the birth and life of Jesus fulfilled God’s Old Testament promises of a Savior. This “upside-down” book includes fourteen Bible stories. Begin the week before Christmas with the first side, Promises Made which has seven stories that explore the Old Testament prophecies of the coming Messiah. On Christmas Day, flip the book over and continue by reading Promises Kept with seven more stories that vividly illustrate how Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection and the beginning of the church fulfill God’s promises.
- Counting the Days, Lighting the Candles is a Christmas Advent Devotional to help you and your family rejoice and rest in the holiday season. Beginning with December 1 and all through the month, you’ll find separate readings for adults and children for each day. Also included are 4 activity suggestions that will enhance your family’s experience of this blessed holiday season.
The Jesus Storybook Bible Companions for the Advent Season
Here are some fantastic resources that accompany a Bible many of us already own, The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones:
- The Jesus Storybook Bible Christmas Collection: An interactive story, sound, and song Advent experience for the whole family! A glorious picture book that celebrates the miracle of Christmas and the Advent season. This picture book not only highlights the significance of the Nativity and reaffirms the spiritual meaning of God’s most precious gift, it does what few other Christmas or Advent books do. It shows that even the Old Testament stories pointed to a Rescuer, and it is a complete celebration of the holiday season, which doesn’t end on Christmas morning with Jesus’ birth.
- The 2020 Advent Guide with printable Jesse Tree Ornaments: This one is a throwback to our covid days, so you’ll only find it on our blog. There are 24 ornaments to go along with a scripture reading/story from the Jesus Storybook Bible. If you want to have a real blast from the past, check out the videos below with abbreviated daily readings to go along with each ornament by Sam Ammons and Summer Crepelle.
- If you want the ornaments pre-printed or you’re a big fan of hands on activities, check on The Advent Activity Book. This is your guide to a complete and creative celebration of the holiday season, filled with Jesse Tree ornaments, crafts, games, recipes, songs, and activities for every day of Advent. The Jesus Storybook Bible Advent Activity Book is a journey through the Bible stories in both the Old and New Testaments that lead to Christmas.
- Finally, you can access the updated 2024 Advent Guide below. This free guide includes a combination of several of the above resources: daily readings, printable coloring pages, suggested crafts or activities, and more.
The 2020 Daily Advent Readings to go along with Jesse Tree Ornaments
Imago Dei Church Kids Ministry 