Advent Devotions

My mother has always been a "collector".  I wouldn't go so far as to call her a hoarder, but she has saved up many bits of paper and important photos over the years.  Most of the time she either displays these things proudly as a testament to her family's legacy, or uses them well in her life.  One of the "bits of paper" that she saved from before I was born was pages of a magazine with a simple Advent Devotional and instructions on how to make an Advent Wreath.  The Advent Wreath has always played a prominent role in our family Christmas celebrations, and my mother continues to pass this sacred tradition on to others--often making an Advent Wreath for newly-weds and tucking the devotional into the box.

As I grew up, my parents and I faithfully gathered together each Advent Sunday to use this special devotional and anticipate the Christ child's coming.  I am beyond grateful for this tradition and memory that I have of our family time.  We would turn off all the lights, find a flashlight, and celebrate together.  And if anyone was with us, they were included in the celebration.  It was such a peaceful time to slow down and remember what the true meaning of the season was.

When I moved away from home, my mother gave me a Christmas song book, a hymnal, and copies of the original devotional pages so that, in the event that we couldn't be together for Christmas, I could celebrate with whoever I was with.  When I got married, my husband and I began using the devotional in our Christmas celebrations, including anyone who we were with at the time.

I always imagined sharing this precious tradition with my own children--repeating it so often that the Scripture, readings, and prayers would be seared into their memories too.  As I've read recently in a book by Laura Story, sometimes we have to let go of some of our dreams because God has better plans.  The dream of sharing this tradition with my own children is something I've had to let go of.  But this holiday season, God has given me a new dream.  I will be sharing this devotional with the kids at my church through my role as a Children's Ministry Director!  I'm so excited about this chance to pass on something that has been so formative in my spiritual walk to the next generation!

I would also like to share this devotional with you!  I have never found anything like it in my many searches over the years.  It is beautifully written, and based on verses of the song, "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel".  Click here to find a printable PDF of this devotional.