Shadow & Light: A Journey Into Advent

by Tsh Oxenreider

"Shadow and Light is a concise and customizable guide for the Advent season to help you rediscover your childlike wonder and contemplate the sacred gift we celebrate in the Christmas season."

Making Room for Advent

by Bette Dickinson

"The unfolding of God's plan often happens in unlikely spaces, both in Scripture and in our own lives. Join Bette Dickinson as she moves through the story of Jesus' birth and the stories of the many people that were part of the journey."

Watch For The Light

A collection with selections by: Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Annie Dillard, Thomas Merton, C. S. Lewis, Henri J. M. Nouwen, John Donne, Meister Eckhart, Dorothy Day, Thomas Stearns Eliot, Edith Stein, Thomas Aquinas, Philip Yancey and more

"Ecumenical in scope, these fifty devotions invite the reader to contemplate the great themes of Christmas and the significance that the coming of Jesus has for each of us – not only during Advent, but every day. Whether dipped into at leisure or used on a daily basis, Watch for the Light gives the phrase “holiday preparations” new depth and meaning."

The Jesus Storybook Bible

by Sally Lloyd-Jones

Every story whispers his name. If your family already has a copy, download the free Advent Kit to accompany the Jesus Storybook Bible and follow along with the Advent reading plan.

Jesse Tree

"Jesse Tree is a way of preparing for Advent by journeying through the stories on Jesus’s family tree. Each day of Advent, read a Bible story about someone on Jesus’s family tree and hang an ornament symbolizing the story on your Jesse Tree. As you decorate your tree, you’ll see how God prepared for Jesus to be born through many generations."

Center for Christianity, Culture & the Arts: Advent Project

From Biola University

"Advent accepts the tension of the already and the not yet. It welcomes waiting. It is merriment and melancholy together, beauty so sublime that, like the best art, it simultaneously comforts and rocks us to the core. It is perhaps not surprising, then, that the mystery and magnitude of Advent lends itself so well to artistic exploration. Like Advent, the arts also accept tension and welcome waiting. The Incarnation itself lends dignity to artistic and cultural pursuits." 

Shadow & Light: The Official RCB 2023 Advent Playlist

We put together a playlist of songs to follow the journey from Shadow to Light. Enjoy!

Advent Wreath & Candles

"An Advent wreath provides a way to mark the weeks of Advent and, with the lighting of each new candle, to contemplate all that led up to the birth of Jesus. It usually is made up of four candles–three purple and one pink–often positioned in the shape of a circle or sometimes a line. Many people add a fifth candle, called the Christ candle, which is white and is placed in the center."

Make Your Own Advent Wreath

"An Advent wreath provides a way to mark the weeks of Advent and, with the lighting of each new candle, to contemplate all that led up to the birth of Jesus. It usually is made up of four candles–three purple and one pink–often positioned in the shape of a circle or sometimes a line. Many people add a fifth candle, called the Christ candle, which is white and is placed in the center."

Light Advent Candles

There are many beautiful Advent candles and Advent candle holders. Etsy has some beautiful options that would also make lovely gifts. But they don't have to be fancy either. Simple votives can be just at beautiful and meaningful! Maybe even just looking at what's available will spark an idea using things you already own.

Christmas Prayer Garland

Cut out 24 green and red construction paper strips. On each strip, write the name of a family member, friend or ministry. Staple the strips as links into one long garland. Hang the garland in your apartment or house as a decoration.

Every day in December, remove one of the paper strips. Pray for the person or ministry whose name is on that strip of paper.

Use Christmas Cards as Prayer Reminders

As Christmas cards arrive during December, place them in a basket in a noticeable area. Once a day, pull out one card and pray for that person or family together. Keep the Christmas card basket out all year and pray regularly for other families.