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Advent is the time of waiting and preparing our hearts and minds for the coming of our Savior.

This year, the liturgical season of Advent begins on Sunday 12/1 (it's always the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day) and continues through Tuesday 12/24 (Christmas Eve).  That means the numbers 1-24 on the doors of your Advent calendar actually line up with the days of Advent and the days of December!  That's unusual, because Advent can begin anywhere from 11/27 to 12/3 (depending on which the day of the week Christmas falls), so some years you have to wait a couple days of Advent before you begin opening the doors, and some years you have to start opening doors before the start of Advent.

You know what's another good way to mark the days of Advent?  An Advent devotional!

Pastor Tyler has compiled a list of good devotionals for us to choose from.  Some are daily, some are weekly, some are videos, and some are meant for families with young children.  Try one or two and tell us what you think!  (Most of these are free, but there are a few at the end of the list that are available for purchase.)

Daily Advent Devotionals from ELCA Lutherans:

  1. From Luther Seminary: https://www.luthersem.edu/godpause/advent-devotional/
  2. From Wartburg Seminary: https://www.wartburgseminary.edu/advent/
  3. From United Lutheran Seminary: https://www.unitedlutheranseminary.edu/uls-news/read-our-advent-devotional-calendar (it’s from 2023, but that’s OK!)
  4. From Churches Beyond Borders, prayers for peace in the Holy Land: https://www.elca.org/news-and-events/8212 (it’s from 2023, but we still need these prayers!)
  5. From Women of the ELCA: https://www.womenoftheelca.org/resources?fwp_resource_search=Advent (a few years old)

Weekly Advent Devotionals from ELCA Lutherans:

  1. From Reconciling Works, focused on the words Peace, Hope, Joy, and Love: https://www.reconcilingworks.org/resources/worship/ (it’s found under the section titled “liturgy”)
  2. Join ELCA Young Adults on an Advent Pilgrimage in Palestine, with Sumud for Justice in Palestine and Israel: https://resources.elca.org/sumud/advent-devotional/ (great for a group conversation)
  3. From ELCA World Hunger: https://resources.elca.org/elca-world-hunger/elca-world-hunger-advent-study-2024/
  4. Stories of ELCA Missionaries around the world: https://www.elca.org/about/leadership-circle (scroll down to events to register for the emails)

Musical Advent Calendars!

  1. From the Lutheran Summer Music Academy: https://www.lsmacademy.org/acal (go to their YouTube playlists https://www.youtube.com/@lutheransummermusic/playlists to see previous Advent calendars)
  2. From the Lutheran World Federation: https://lutheranworld.org/get-involved/ongoing-reformation/hymns-advent-and-christmas (they may not be making a new calendar this year, but they have 5 years of archived calendars with great music)

Daily Advent Devotionals from Full Communion Partners:

  1. From Pittsburg Theological Seminary (Reformed): https://www.pts.edu/devotional_1
  2. From Presbyterians for Earth Care: https://presbyearthcare.org/devotional-and-worship-aids/
  3. From FaithForward (Reformed): https://www.faithward.org/jesse-tree/jesse-tree-devotions/

For Kids and Families:

  1. Instant Advent videos: https://www.wearesparkhouse.org/promos/instant-advent/
  2. Additional ideas from MinistryLinks: https://www.ministrylinks.online/advent--christmas.html (scroll down to “Advent at Home” or books)
  3. Additional ideas from Practical Resources for Churches: https://www.prcli.org/online-resource/seasonal/advent-and-christmas/
  4. Great videos at https://www.trinitypv.org/christmas-study, especially the list of “Kid’s Tell Christmas” videos.

Additional devotions:

  1. Photo blog from ELCA pastors in Wisconsin – https://www.facebook.com/share/1XF31dSRkF/
  2. From Bread for the World: https://www.bread.org/article/advent-2024-seeking-peace-in-this-advent-season/
  3. From Faith+Lead, 4 day mindful challenge: https://faithlead.org/2024-advent
  4. By artist Kristina Diez: https://www.gcsynod.org/news/el-tiempo-es-un-regalo-en-el-adviento-time-is-a-gift-this-advent
  5. From Global Refuge: https://www.globalrefuge.org/news/jesus-was-a-refugee-an-advent-calendar-devotional/
  6. From the ELCA Homeless and Justice Network: https://download.elca.org/ELCA%20Resource%20Repository/Advent_Devotional_pages.pdf
  7. Hear the Stories of ELCA Missionaries around the world: https://www.elca.org/about/leadership-circle (scroll down to events to register for the emails)
  8. From Unbound (PC-USA): https://justiceunbound.org/boundlessadvent/
  9. Trilingual ecumenical (ELCA – PC-USA – UMC) from Red Crearte: https://redcrearte.org.ar/adviento-a-3-voces/

For Purchase:

  1. A new devo from Augsburg Fortress: https://www.augsburgfortress.org/store/product/9798889833697/Good-News-Great-Joy-Devotions-for-Advent-and-Christmas-2024-2025
  2. A family deck of Advent cards: https://www.augsburgfortress.org/store/product/9798889830009/Families-Celebrate-Advent-and-Christmas
  3. A new book from Augsburg Fortress: https://www.augsburgfortress.org/store/product/9781506481531/Ordinary-Blessings-for-the-Christmas-Season
  4. Illustrated Ministries has lots of great devotionals, especially for families: https://store.illustratedministry.com/collections/advent?filter.p.product_type=Devotionals that are on sale right now (sale ends 12/2)!
  5. Additional ideas from LivingLutheran: https://www.livinglutheran.org/2022/12/highly-recommended-resources-for-advent-and-christmas/
  6. Additional ideas from PC-USA: https://www.pcusastore.com/Products/CategoryCenter/PCGSE!AD/advent.aspx