Advent Resources for Every Age

A few weeks ago, my husband came home with four Advent calendars from the local grocery store, one for each of our kids. The calendars have little perforated windows corresponding to each day in December and will remain on top of our refrigerator for a few weeks until we start our family’s Advent tradition– a daily reading followed by a chocolate treat from those calendars. The season is a sweet (literally) and precious chance for our family to meditate on the sure hope we have because of Jesus’ birth.

During the four Sundays leading up to Christmas, many churches set aside time to deliberately meditate Christ’s birth– his first advent, or "coming." As believers living in between Jesus’ first and second coming, Advent is a chance for us to rejoice that he has already come, even as we anticipate his return.

As Advent approaches, we wanted to share some resources for those looking to incorporate material into their family devotions that focus on Jesus’ birth. For individuals and families trying to get into (or restart) the habit of doing family devotions, Advent is a great opportunity to begin.

Here are some of our favorite Advent devotionals for every age range and for the whole family.

Younger Kids

God's Big Promises Advent Calendar and Family Devotions: 25 Door Advent Calendar (God's Big Promises) 

Ages: 3-7

Theme: The Christmas story as told in the gospels, from the angel's visit to Mary through the coming of the wise men

Includes: Advent Calendar, prayers, Scripture passages, and read-aloud devotionals

What we love: A simple “Let’s Remember” phrase at the end of each devotional is perfect for helping lessons stick to young children (e.g. “Let’s Remember…Jesus is God’s forever King.”)

Tracing Glory: The Christmas Story Through the Bible

Ages: 4-10

Theme: The glory of Christ from Genesis to Revelation

Includes: Key Scripture to look up, a devotional commentary, and a summary highlighting showing how the passage points to Jesus

What we love: Families can use these instructions to create ornaments to go along with the book each day, or pair with activities from the Tracing Glory Ornament Activity Book.

Littlest Watchman Advent Book + Calendar

Ages: 4-10

Theme: 14 Bible stories (start reading 

Includes: Advent calendar with Bible verses, Scripture, discussion questions, suggested activities 

What we love: The Advent Calendar opens to reveal the events of the first Christmas and calendar windows can be torn off and hung on a simple version of Jesus' family tree.

Middle Graders

Wonders of His Love 

Ages: 5-11

Theme: Images in Isaiah (Jesus as the Light, Branch, Shepherd, Savior, Bread)

Includes: Fun stories, discussion questions, crafts, recipes, games, and suggestions for family service projects

What we love: How engaging these readings are— Champ Thorton makes big truths accessible and interesting for kids listening to these readings.

A Jesus Christmas 

Ages: 4-12

Theme: How the glorious truths of Christmas beat the serpent’s lies from Genesis 3

Includes: Scripture reading, questions, short explanation, “engage” questions for different age ranges, prayer, family journaling space

What we love: A family journaling space leaves room for families to write down what they’ve learned, draw a picture, list things to thank God for, and more.

Why Christmas

Ages: 4-12

Theme: The events surrounding the incarnation and why we celebrate Christmas

Includes: Scripture reading, memory verse, Christmas carol, discussion questions

What we love: Christmas hymns are incorporated in devotional time with questions about the lyrics

Teens

The Dawning of Indestructible Joy

Ages: 13+

Theme: How the incarnation is the most glorious dawning of indestructible joy the world has ever seen

What we love: These devotionals are short and accessible while packed with theologically rich truth.

The Advent of the Lamb of God

Ages: 13+

Theme: A narrative retelling of the story of the need for and the coming of Christ

What we love: This retelling of Scripture is compelling and fresh while remaining faithful to the text of Scripture.

For The Whole Family 

The Expected One 

Ages: 4-14+

Theme: How the many promises regarding Christ’s birth through ascension in the Old Testament demonstrate God’s love for us

Includes: Scripture passage, a brief explanation, and “Connect with Kids” questions with suggested answers, prayer prompt

What we love: The simple format makes it perfect for a wide range of ages.

The God of Amazing Gifts 

Ages 7-14+

Theme: The amazing gifts we receive through faith in Jesus and how we can be generous too

Includes: Opening prayer and question, passage or selected verses from a passage, questions, closing prayer, extra creative ideas

What we love: Study and application questions are designed for various ages and stages of faith, simple prayers

Editor's note: Check out also our latest podcast episode on celebrating Advent in our homes and churches.