Advent provides us with an opportunity to look at life with spiritual eyes. Sense Light breaking through our darkness.
Focus our attention on the Messianic marvel in our midst. Love Himself abiding with us, as one of us, taking on frail flesh.
[bctt tweet=”Advent signals an inner awakening, a deepening awareness of God’s Presence.”]
And it helps to have a few selected resources at hand to help make it personally meaningful and applicable.
The Godspace blog has a whole host of great ideas to help you get into the right mind-set during Advent and beyond.
Here’s a selection of resources it offers:
- Advent photo challenge
- Worship resources
- Celebrate with simplicity
- Advent/Christmas music from a rich array of traditions
- Discerning our way through Advent
- Choosing your Scripture readings for the coming year
The video below encourages us to lean toward the light of Christ..
Book suggestions (based on the Kindle version unless otherwise stated):
‘Sacred Space:For Advent and the Christmas season 2015’ by the Irish Jesuits – offers daily Scripture reading and a reflection to invite the reader into a closer relationship with God. Each day begins with something to read and think about, consciously sensing the presence of God, exploring the freedom He offers, followed by a Scripture reading and reflective prayer.
‘God is in the Manger:Reflections on Advent and Christmas’ by Dietrich Bonhoeffer – 40 devotions on waiting and mystery, redemption, incarnation and joy. Includes short excerpts from Bonhoeffer’s letters and passages from his Christmas sermons.
‘Touching Wonder:Recapturing the Awe of Christmas’ by John Blase – A bold retelling of Luke 1-2 based on The Message translation, accompanied by John Blase’s poetic storytelling reflections in the form of multiple, intimate first-person narratives. This will be my third year of getting lost in the wonder as conveyed here in earthy reality.
‘Reflections for Advent 2015’ by Maggi Dawn, Barbara Mosse and Sam Wells – a daily devotional companion of varied reflections (based on the Common Worship Lectionary readings for Morning Prayer) utilising the practice of lectio divina. It encourages a deeper look at our lives and invites us closer into the heart of God.
‘Waiting on the Word:A poem a day for Advent, Christmas and Epiphany’ by Malcolm Guite (paperback) – offers us a daily poem to read and reflect on. It’s an eclectic selection with poetry from diverse voices such as Metaphysical poets John Donne and George Herbert and contemporary poets Luci Shaw and Scott Cairns, beautifully woven together with some of Malcolm’s own superb sonnets and theological thoughts. I’m a huge fan of his and can’t wait to dive into this!
‘Resilient:Your Invitation to a Jesus-Shaped Life’ by Sheridan Voysey – not strictly an Advent resource but its message takes us beyond welcoming Jesus in the manger to seeing how to live well in the light of His coming. With a steady focus on the Beatitudes, the author reveals a clear-eyed view of the way to incorporate its truth into daily life.
Last but not least, you might like to access some on-line Advent devotionals you can watch or listen to, such as Dr Micha Jazz’s weekly talks with Premier Christian Radio, read a weekly devotional with Lifeway, or listen to Advent videos, podcasts and more from the Ignatian Spirituality site.
And if all of this sounds too much like hard work, just relax, breathe gently and maybe…
- Light a candle or two
- Sit and reflect on a Bible passage
- Pray and meditate in silence
- Listen to some music that draws you closer to God
- Rest in His presence
- Give thanks
- Look for the light you can see
[bctt tweet=”Advent is about sensing the wonder of Christ’s incarnate presence with us.”]
Whatever you choose to do during Advent, please remember God loves you very much and His greatest desire is for you to draw closer to Him.
Words of Joy 
Thank you for sharing these resources to help our advent season be more meaningful.
I don’t know why I never thought about looking into doing a specific devotional book for Advent, but it certainly is the perfect way to bring more meaning to the season of the birth of our Savior.
LikeLike
Hi Karen. I’m pretty new to the idea of using specific Advent resources myself. It’s not been a part of my church’s practices, and it was only around three years ago that I discovered how to mark this season with serious intent. Because I’ve found it such a helpful and proactive spiritual way to prayerfully approach the run up to Christmas and beyond, I wanted to share some resources here to aid others to seek out what speaks to them too. I hope and pray you will find something here which inspires you to make Advent a more meaningful season for yourself. Blessings 🙂
LikeLike
Joy, this is a fine set of resources for us. BUT…more than that are your words to draw us into the closeness that God wants with us, to remind us of the coming of Christ, and to remember that we are loved, more than anything.
With love…~ linda
LikeLike
Linda, thank you for seeing the major message behind the suggested resources offered here. We may need varied ways of reaching out to God but He is always reaching out to us with arms wide open and unconditional love in His heart. Blessed by your visit, my friend.
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing these Advent resources at Weekend Whispers!
LikeLike
You’re welcome, Barbie! I love being a part of the Weekend Whispers community.
LikeLike
Thank you, Joy – wishing you a Blessed Advent.
LikeLike
My pleasure, Bev. Have a blessed Advent too, my friend.
LikeLike
Dear Joy … what an inspiring launch in to the Advent season. I am so anticipating these weeks …
Come, Lord Jesus, come.
LikeLike
Dear Linda, it’s an exciting time of anticipation and preparation, isn’t it? We become awed anew by the thought of Christ’s first coming to earth and eagerly await His second coming in the future. Yes, “Come, Lord Jesus, come.” Amen!
LikeLike
Thank you, Joy, for these words and resources to make Advent more meaningful. I love the video message, too. May you have an ever deepening awareness of God’s presence throughout this season! Blessings and hugs!
LikeLike
I’m glad you found some things here to feed your soul, Trudy. I love the video message too! Thanks very much for your lovely blessing. Hugs and prayers to you too, my friend. May you be saturated in God’s sustaining grace and only overwhelmed by His love for you rather than drained by all there is to do at this busy season. Blessings of peace and rest.
LikeLike
Thank you for drawing all of us in with these beautiful resources. I am very interested in the Dietrich Bonhoeffer book because I find his life fascinating. All of the books sound wonderful though.
I agree that this is our time to draw closer to God. He would be so pleased if we did. Glad to read your words as we begin Advent. I was blessed.
LikeLike
Thanks, Mary. I’m so pleased you found something here to appeal to you. I think you’ll love the Dietrich Bonheoffer book; it’s already speaking deep into my soul. And the words are apt for any occasion really, even though these are earmarked as Advent resources, because we all need times of coming aside and abiding closer to God. Blessed as always by your visits, my friend. Hugs! 🙂 x
LikeLike
Excellent post and resources, JOY! I’ll share one, if I may, Comfort Ye My People, by Kay Bruner. It follows Handel’s Messiah through 26 daily readings. I can’t remember who recommended it, but it’s on my Kindle this year.
LikeLike
Thank you, June! When we share things we like, it’s hard to tell whether or not the suggested resources will appeal to others, so I’m delighted that not only were you able to appreciate the selection here but to add a great choice of your own. I’ll be checking it out asap…Blessings and hugs to you. Xx
LikeLike