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The 24 Days of Bookish Gifts Advent Calendar Box is another option that will bring bookish Christmas cheer to you this year! I was amazed, in my research, to find such a huge variety of different styles: some imaginative, some traditional, some for families, some for groups, some long, some brief, some with illustrations, some with activities. There really is something for everyone in this list. May you find a resource which will draw you into God’s heart this Advent! Here are 25 “conversations with Jesus” – enticingly written, drawing you into the story, drawing Jesus into our world today with all its ups and downs. I found this a fascinating and incredibly powerful way to explore Scripture – which, by the way, begins each day’s reading, and covers both Old and New Testaments. It’s not for you if you’re looking for exegesis – but if you’re at risk of going through the motions this Advent, after years of “same old same old”, then this is definitely one to try. Powerful, challenging, comforting and wildly welcoming. Lean Towards the Light this Advent and Christmas (Compiled by Christine Aroney-Sine and Lisa DeRosa, 2020) BRF’s Christmas devotional for 2022 takes you all the way through from Advent to Epiphany, with in-depth daily devotionals (which include the Bible reading presented in full – very handy), introductions to each week of readings, and questions/creative prayer to use in groups. You do need to set aside a bit more time to read this devotional, as the print is small and the daily readings are a little longer than those in other books, but the sacrifice of time will more than make up for itself in terms of the richness of thought, depth of theological understanding, and challenge of personal application contained here. Tales from the Jesse Tree (Amy Scott Robinson, 2014)
Split into four sections for the four weeks of Advent, these practical suggestions and reflective meditations about climate change and the environment are set alongside beautiful fine art paintings relevant to the season. Discover 24 of our favourite kids picture books in this incredible bundle! It can also be used as an advent calendar to open every day in December this year! This is an incredibly easy-to-read and fun devotional, with each day’s entry featuring a fictional excerpt from Mary’s diary (based on Scripture), a Bible passage, a challenging devotional and prayer ideas. I love how each day ends with a memo from Mary – a simple, short truth to remember during the day. This book definitely hits my sleep-deprived-mum criteria of being both accessible and challenging – great stuff! The Advent Creative Retreat Activity Book (Mary and Mark Fleeson, 2013) If you’re looking for a creative way in to your devotions this Advent, something which reads more like an exciting novel than a Bible commentary, this is your book. In 25 chapters (so you can read one per night – perfect!), Katy Morgan expertly uses what we know of the time and place to pad out the factual story with fictional elements which really bring it to life. (And don’t worry – there are notes at the end about what’s fact and what’s fiction!) There are no questions, no direct challenges – but reading the Nativity story like this is sure to make you see and apply it in new ways. I’m looking forward to reading it to my 10yo and 12yo this Advent! They S ang (Amy Scott Robinson, 2021) This intriguing compilation from GodSpace features over 60 readings to take you from the start of Celtic Advent (mid-November) right through to Epiphany. The argument is that it’s good to start preparing hearts and minds before the busyness of December takes over, and I appreciate this. Each of the readings is more like a blog post than a Bible commentary: warm, relatable, sprinkled with personal stories and humour – and of course each one has a different flavour, depending on the author who has penned it. There is plenty of Scripture quoted and referred to, and I found myself pondering several interesting ideas as I dipped in. Redeeming Advent (Lucy Rycroft, 2019)And there’s even some fun candy canes thrown in as a treat for while you read! So this book advent box is perfect if you’re looking to open a surprise book each day throughout the Christmas season. Holtam knows the climate science, the economics, and the structures of governance. He points the reader to UN Reports, church work on responsible investment, the excellent A Rocha Eco Church awards, and the vastly different experiences of climate change in different part of the world. He comments on poverty and inequality. He looks at creation, love, justice, prayer, worship, our life in Christ, and more. We are made in God’s image to enjoy and serve God’s creation, our common home. There are many echoes of Pope Francis’s Laudato Si’. There is practical advice for church life and for individual lifestyles. Looking for a book-themed Christmas advent calendar that has lots of cute gifts to open and enjoy? This 12 Day Bookish Advent Calendar is an excellent choice! So with the definition of an ‘Advent devotional’ as something which will encourage your faith, here are my recommendations! Christmas and Advent devotions for families And last, if you didn’t see an option you loved on the list above, you can always create your own book advent calendar!
It’s nearly the happiest season of all—Christmas! Which means it’s time to start thinking about ways to make this holiday merry and bright…and one of the best ways to do that this year is with book advent calendars. If you want a book advent calendar that specifically features books you can read (instead of just book-themed gifts), then this 25 Days Book Christmas Advent Calendar is a great option! Once you have all the books or bookish items for each day’s gift, then wrap them in cute wrapping like this bookish wrapping paper or these printable storybook boxes. Or, if you prefer, get a whole Christmas Advent Box kit so all you need to do is add the items! Nicholas Holtam was Bishop of Salisbury from 2011 to 2021 and the Church of England's lead bishop for the environment, chairing the Environmental Working Group from 2014 to 2021. A Durham geographer before training for ordination, he lives in Brighton and is married to Helen with 4 adult children. Nicholas is the author of The Art of Worship: Paintings, Prayers, and Readings for Meditation and A Room with a View: Ministry with the World at Your Door. Sleepers Wake! is his first Advent book.
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Nicholas Holtam, Vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields before becoming Bishop of Salisbury, offers daily meditations for the four “weeks” of Advent, the last week primarily focused on the lead up to Christmas. His accessible, personal style, which draws on his wide experiences of ministry, has produced a great resource to deepen personal spirituality and church life. Climate change is the most important, urgent issue of our day – but while there are technical and political issues, the fundamental problem with the fight against climate change is spiritual. More than 30 years ago, Margaret Thatcher’s speech to the UN warned of the damage that we are causing to our environment through pollution and greenhouse gases. Some positive changes have happened since, but not enough nor nearly fast enough. Holtam quotes Gus Speth, arguing that our environmental problems are not primarily biodiversity loss, or climate change, but “selfishness, greed, and apathy”. This bookish advent calendar comes with 12 individually-wrapped, book-themed gifts that are perfect for any book lover. It is meant to be opened in the last 12 days leading up to Christmas Eve/Christmas, which means you’ll start opening the gifts on December 13th or 14th. Bookworms are sure to enjoy opening each day’s item for a fun surprise leading up to the holidays! This is an extremely readable, humorous, down-to-earth Advent devotional. I love Wilson’s style, as she connects with our humanity, and lifts our eyes to the supernatural. Each day is based around a title or lyric from a carol, with a Scripture reading to start, and a readable, helpful commentary to follow. Days 1-25 help guide you towards celebrating the Christ-child, whilst days 26-31 help you look ahead to the coming year. Highly recommended. Celebrating Christmas (Amy Boucher Pye & Leo Boucher, 2021)
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