Gospel-Centered Advent Devotionals

Advent is just around the corner, starting this year on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023, and going till Christmas Eve. Advent is the season of the church calendar leading up to Christmas. Advent means “arrival.” It is a time each year that the church celebrates with anticipation the arrival, or birth, of Jesus.

Families have different traditions and ways they celebrate, including guided prayer, lighting candles, Advent calendars, and devotionals. For example, many families light Advent candles each week and spend time together talking about a particular theme for that week: hope, peace, love, and joy. Lighting a new candle each week helps build anticipation for Christmas. An optional fifth candle is lit on Christmas day, representing the birth of Christ.

However you decide to celebrate, we wanted to give you over eight different recommendations for devotionals during this season, including devotionals for just adults and for the whole family.

Advent Conspiracy

Advent Conspiracy is a movement created by several pastors tired of seeing people (including themselves) missing the point of Christmas. Globally, churches and ministries participate in the “conspiracy” to undermine commercialism and highlight the coming of Christ (1HOPE participates in Advent Conspiracy’s fundraising program for year-end giving). One of the resources this organization provides is devotionals, which we will be featuring right here on our blog during Advent.

She Reads Truth

She Reads Truth is an online community of women who read the Bible daily using a guided reading plan. They also have a He Reads Truth, and both produce great Advent devotionals each year. Although these are for individuals rather than families, they include recipes, songs, family activities, and readings which can be done as a family if desired.

R.C. Sproul/J.C. Ryle

Any devotional on this list by WTS Books is a good option. R.C. Sproul’s The Advent of Glory, and J.C. Ryle’s The Coming of the King are great options for those who want a little more depth from some serious church thinkers.

Good News of Great Joy, by John Piper

This is another good option for the adult who wants a strong and focused time of study during Advent. Piper’s devotional is gospel-centered and uncomplicated, helping you have greater joy in God.

Prepare Him Room, and The Light Before Christmas

Prepare Him Room and The Light Before Christmas are family-oriented advent devotionals by author Marty Machowski and published by New Growth Press. Known for their children’s curriculum (and biblical counseling resources), they have created two fantastic and approachable family studies suitable for elementary-aged children. Sample content is available at the linked website. Each study includes three devotions per week of Advent, plus one for Christmas, and the guide includes object lessons, Scripture memorization, discussion questions, songs to sing, and crafts. 

Advent Blocks

Advent Blocks by Good Kind is part calendar, part devotional. You set up blocks on your mantle or a table, and each day rotate a block to count down to Christmas. Each day has a devotion to read with your kids that traces the story of Christ through the whole Bible. It is a fun way to keep the kids involved while keeping their minds focused on Christ and not on presents.

Right Now Media: Advent

If you are a parent with 1HOPE you have a free subscription to Right Now Media, with access to a ton of resources and content for all ages (NOTE: to access your free subscription, please email Matt at mattw@1hopeforkids.org and he can add you on). Derwin Gray, former NFL player turned pastor, has a series on Advent with videos and a devotional guide to help us understand who Jesus is and why he invites us to dwell with him.

We hope and pray that these recommendations serve our families and partners and help keep our eyes focused on Jesus.

Do you have a favorite devotional? Let us know on social media or send us an email through the Contact Us page.