Many Christians celebrate the season of Advent which begins today (Nov 30) and continues up through Christmas Day.  It is a way to build anticipation and often Biblical, Christ-centered excitement as a family/church in contrast to some of the messages we hear (e.g., from retailers and marketing experts).  Our family has done different things over the past couple of years, including a “Jesse Tree” and last year an advent calendar with stockings on the mantel.  Lois discovered today a free resource that looks excellent to help believers who want to focus on Advent in a devotional format:

Christ the King Presbyterian Church in Raleigh, NC, has put together this Christ-centered devotional for families and churches.

The devotional provides helpful background on the celebration of the season of Advent:

The celebration of the season of Advent (which begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas day) dates back to the fourth century. It  is a time that focuses our attention on Jesus Christ’s birth and ministry as well as his Second Coming when he will return to redeem all of creation and rule with all power and authority. Since we can’t anticipate the day or the hour of Christ’s return, we are flled with both a sense of  joyful expectation and humble reverence, with our spiritual focus being on lives of prayer and preparation.

We’ve downloaded and printed a copy of this free resource; each day’s devotional includes a short reading, a Scripture passage, an “adult’s” prayer, and even a “children’s prayer.”  In addition, each day also includes a hymn complete with sheet music — some of which are familiar, some less so.  Fittingly, the first is one that our church sang together this morning: “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.”

We invite you to join our family as we celebrate the season of Advent, and re-ignite our hearts with the joy of Christ’s coming!