Since the Middle Ages, Advent has been about three comings of Christ. First, it is a time to prepare for the baby Jesus in the manger in Bethlehem; second, it is the coming and revealing of Christ in our hearts daily; and third, it is the coming of Christ again, in glory, at the end of time. For all three of these, the waiting is a real waiting—an authentic expectancy of things to come.

As a result, Advent season today is a call for ordering our lives and anticipating Christ. It is a season for us to take time to be present to God and with God, and a good way to do that, is through Advent Devotionals.

There are countless Advent Devotionals online, for people of all ages—children through adults—and for all settings (from classrooms to a single person). Here is a list of some of the devotionals provided by various Episcopal (and Episcopal-friendly) organizations.

Journeying the Way of Love (https://www.episcopalchurch.org/journeying-way-love)

“Four sessions to be explored as we await the coming of Christ by moving through the first two chapters of the Gospel of Luke. Luke’s gospel provides a pattern for understanding how we can live the Way of Love as individuals, as families and friends, as a community, and out in the world. The sessions are specially designed for use during the Christian formation hour before or after worship. Facilitation instructions accommodate small or large groups.”

Journeying the Way of Love Advent Calendar (https://www.episcopalchurch.org/library/document/journeying-way-love-advent-calendar)

Use this Advent Calendar to accompany the above curriculum. It offers daily suggestions for engaging in the seven practices that encompass the Way of Love: Turn, Learn, Pray, Worship, Bless, Go, and Rest.

#AdventWord: A Global Advent Calendar (https://www.adventword.org)

Create an account on this website, and upload small reflections and photos, relevant to the word for each day of Advent. Originally created by the Society of St. John the Evangelist, and now hosted by Virginia Theological Seminary, you can see how people across the country and around the world perceive Advent this year.

Advent Devotional from the Diocese of Virginia and Forma (https://www.forma.church/uploads/files/forma-advent-2018--_460.pdf)

For the second year in a row, Forma (the network for Christian Formation) partnered with the Diocese of Virginia to create a weekly Advent curriculum. Each week includes a brief overview of the scriptural themes, ideas to try in your home to deepen your experience of Advent, and some short prayers and rituals to make your Advent experience complete.

Advent Art Slideshow and Devotional (https://artandtheology.org/2016/11/10/advent-art-slideshow-and-devotional/)

Art & Theology is a blog that aims to help the church rediscover its rich heritage in the visual, literary, and musical arts. This devotional connects classical art images with written reflections and can be used in a congregational setting or for individuals. While it was first published a couple of years ago, it is still relevant and interesting today.

2018 Advent Meditations and Prayers (https://ssw.edu/advent2018/)

Daily online meditations written by alumni, students, faculty, staff, trustees, and friends of the Seminary of the Southwest. Each day offers an invitation for thoughtful consideration of the world in which we live in the context of spiritual preparation for the feast of Christmas.

Advent Calendar for Adults (https://www.loyolapress.com/our-catholic-faith/liturgical-year/advent/calendars/advent-calendar-for-adults)

A daily calendar with short devotional writings for each day of Advent. Provided by Loyola Press, a Jesuit Ministry, this experience invites you to slow down this season and discover the quiet moments of Advent hope by nurturing your spirituality.

Advent Activities for Children (https://www.loyolapress.com/our-catholic-faith/liturgical-year/advent/activities)

Advent activities, in lesson plan form, for children. Activities are divided up by age group and are perfect for classroom or at-home settings.

Advent Calendar for Children (https://www.loyolapress.com/~/media/Images/Loyola%20Press/ocf-articles/advent/Advent-children-calendar.ashx?la=en)

A downloadable Advent Calendar of tasks for children. Provided by Loyola Press, a Jesuit Ministry, this calendar invites children to make promises related to their faith and how they live in today’s world. Examples include “I will obey my parents, my teachers, and others in charge of me,” and “I will not complain today, even if I must do things I do not want to do.”

Free Resources for Advent (https://www.buildfaith.org/free-resources-for-advent/)

Building Faith, a Ministry of Virginia Theological Seminary, provides free Advent resources for all ages and stages of faith development, with specific activities geared towards families and children. These are printable or usable online. 

As Fr. Jesse said, “Take some time this Advent to see what might be being born anew, and what might be coming to a conclusion.” An Advent Devotional is a perfect way to take that time daily.

If you think something is missing from this list, please let us know, and we’ll add it!