Advent Devotional Book List for Families with Teens and Tweens
As my kids have gotten older, they’ve outgrown some of the advent traditions they enjoyed as young kids. I want to continue the sense of togetherness and anticipation as they grow up, so I’ve been looking for books we can read together to focus on the season of advent leading up to our Christmas celebration. I’ve put together a list of 50 advent devotional books for you to consider if you have teens or tweens and want to read something together as a family.
Not all of the books included are daily devotional readings, but all explore the nativity story and themes of advent in some way.
At the end of this article, you’ll find a link to download a list of these 50 advent book suggestions from my resource library.
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What is Advent
The word “advent” comes from the Latin adventus, meaning “arrival,” and is associated with the four weeks leading up to Christmas Day. Beginning on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, the advent season is one of preparation and expectation, looking forward to the celebration of Jesus’ birth.
Advent begins the liturgical calendar and is popularly associated with the weekly lighting of candles in an advent wreath.
Many people associate advent with the period of 25 days from December 1st to December 25th, and modern advent calendars typically follow this pattern.
The advent devotionals listed below encompass readings for 24 days, 25 days, 31 days, and 40 days, allowing you abundant options for emphasizing just the season of advent, or continuing on through the Christmas season to Epiphany on January 6th.
I’ve put the suggestions into four categories:
- Advent Devotionals with an Emphasis on Christmas Music
- Advent Devotional Anthologies (collections from a variety of authors)
- Advent Devotionals from Well-Known Authors
- Advent Devotionals You May Have Missed (lesser-known authors)
Advent Devotionals with an Emphasis on Christmas Music
1. Every Valley: Advent with the Scriptures of Handel’s Messiah by Albert Blackwell
A forty-day devotional that reflects on the Messiah—Christ’s birth, life, death, atonement, resurrection, and glorification.
2. Advent for Exiles by Caroline Cobb
The 25 readings in this book are intended to weave the following seven threads into a tapestry: the advent season, the metanarrative of scripture, the theme of exile, music, storytelling, and responsive exercises. The author is a singer-songwriter passionate about telling God’s story through music, especially focused on songs that tell the story of specific scripture passages.
If your family is experiencing a season of difficulty and reading a traditional advent devotional focused on the joy and beauty of the season is just too hard, this may be a good option to acknowledge the darkness and brokenness around you while looking for the hope that Jesus brings.
This is probably best for families with teens—younger kids would likely be less engaged.
3. Sing in Exultation by Jonathan Landry Cruse
Twenty-five advent devotions exploring verses of well-known Christmas carols.
4. Hallelujah: Cultivating Advent Traditions with Handel’s Messiah by Cindy Rollins
Advent readings divided into the traditional four weeks of advent with weekly scripture passages, hymns, and poems. It also includes a daily Messiah listening schedule, an overview of the church calendar, recipes, and more.
5. The Carols of Christmas by Alan Vermilye
There are actually multiple published volumes to choose from, each providing 28 days of readings for the advent season. The first day gives a history of the carol, followed by six days of devotions reflecting on the carol and scripture reflections.
Volume 1 Carols:
- O Holy Night
- I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
- O Little Town of Bethlehem
- Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Volume 2 Carols:
- Silent Night
- Joy to the World
- O Come All Ye Faithful
- The First Noel
Volume 3 Carols:
- Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
- It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
- What Child Is This
- Angels from the Realms of Glory
6. Born a Child and Yet a King by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth
A 31-day devotional that uses traditional Christmas hymns to explore advent themes. The following songs are included.
- O Come, O Come Emmanuel
- Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
- Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne
- God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
- Hark! the Herald Angels Sing
- O Come, All Ye Faithful
Each day includes a scripture, devotional writing, additional scriptures for further reading, a prayer, and a question for consideration.
Advent Devotional Anthologies
7. Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus (edited by Nancy Guthrie)
Includes excerpts from George Whitefield, Charles Spurgeon, Martin Luther, Saint Augustine, J.I. Packer, Joni Eareckson Tada, Tim Keller, and more.
8. The Weary World Rejoices (edited by Melissa Kruger)
This devotional features 25 readings structured around the traditional advent themes of hope, peace, joy, love, and faith. Written by more than a dozen contributors, this would be a good accompaniment to your advent wreath tradition.
9. Waiting on the Word (edited by Malcolm Guite)
The author chooses a poem for each day of December and through Epiphany from a range of poets including George Herbert, John Donne, Christina Rossetti, and Luci Shaw, along with others. Also included are seven sonnets written by the author in response to the ‘O’ antiphons traditionally sung by the early church. These antiphons each highlight a title for the Messiah.
Read: Simple Christmas Planning List
Advent Devotionals from Well-Known Authors
10. Let Earth Receive Her King by Alistair Begg
Twenty-four daily devotions that follow the story of God’s Messiah from Genesis to Revelation. Each day offers a personal reflection question and a carol or hymn to focus your thoughts on the wonder and hope of Christmas.
11. God Is in the Manger by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Forty short reflections for the season of advent and Christmas using excerpts from Bonhoeffer’s letters and sermons to consider the true meaning of Christmas.
12. The Dawn of Redeeming Grace by Sinclair Ferguson
Twenty-four daily readings covering the first two chapters of Matthew, designed to leave you in awe of the redeeming grace of Jesus and rejoicing in worship that Christ the Savior is born!
13. Love Came Down at Christmas by Sinclair Ferguson
Daily reading from 1 Corinthians 13 to reflect on Jesus for 24 days during the season of advent. Each days reading is followed by a question for reflection and a prayer.
14. All is Bright by Nancy Guthrie
Daily devotional readings accompanied by lovely coloring pages. Colored pencils would work best; markers may bleed through to the devotional readings on the back side of the coloring pages. This could be a family project, or, if you have teens that love the intricate designs of adult coloring books, get them each their own copy to color as you read the daily devotion.
15. Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room by Nancy Guthrie
Daily family devotions to focus on Jesus, including explanations of some hard to understand Christmas carol lyrics, and discussion questions.
16. Hidden Christmas: The Surprising Truth Behind the Birth of Christ by Tim Keller
Although not a daily devotional format, the eight chapters in this book could be read throughout the four weeks of advent. The author looks at traditional Christmas texts in the Bible to focus on the message of hope and salvation.
17. In the Manger by Max Lucado
Twenty-five readings taken from a variety of Lucado’s books, along with a Bible verse and a prayer.
18. The 25 Days of Christmas by James Merritt
This advent book is a good option for a range of ages. Each daily reading features a story, scripture, and activity suggestion.
19. Shadow and Light by Tsh Oxenreider
This beautiful book contains advent readings that can be used for the traditional advent season or for the 25 days leading up to Christmas, along with readings for the 12 days of Christmas beginning on Christmas day.
The advent readings include scripture, a reflection, a question, and an activity. One unique aspect of this devotional is the inclusion of suggested artworks to view and a Spotify playlist of music to accompany the readings.
20. The Dawning of Indestructible Joy by John Piper
25 short daily advent readings beginning with scripture.
21. Good News of Great Joy by John Piper
25 devotional readings for advent celebrating the joy of Christmas.
22. Emmanuel by Ruth Chou Simons
A beautifully illustrated 25-day advent devotional focusing on our posture, God’s promise, our response, and our Messiah over the course of four weeks. Each day includes a reading with scripture and concludes with ponder, praise, and pray prompts.
23. Winter Fire: Christmas with G.K. Chesterton by Ryan Smith
This devotional combines Chesterton’s writings with commentary and reflection from the author. There are 30 days of daily readings, which allows for a traditional advent season or for the 25 days leading up to Christmas Day if you wish. Also included are a number of Chesterton’s poems, essays, and short stories related to Christmas, which can be read throughout December and through the 12 days of Christmas between Christmas Day and Epiphany.
24. The Advent of Glory by R.C. Sproul
Twenty-four devotions delving into the details of the Christmas story and reflecting on how these impact our lives now. Each day also includes a prayer to guide your own reflections.
25. Joy to the World: Daily Readings for Advent by Charles Spurgeon
This collection of 25 readings taken from Spurgeon’s sermons abound with scripture woven through the devotions.
26. The Gift of Jesus: Meditations for Christmas by Charles Stanley
Fourteen meditations on Christ’s birth, accompanied by journaling questions, an inspirational thought for reflection, and lyrics to a seasonal hymn.
27. From Heaven: A 28-Day Advent Devotional by A.W. Tozer
A collection of Tozer’s reflections on Christ’s incarnation and return. This is a less traditional book for advent, without a specifically focused theme around the scriptures describing Jesus’ birth, but with thought-provoking devotions drawing your attention back to Jesus.
28. Come Let Us Adore Him by Paul David Tripp
Daily readings for the month of December focused on adoring the Savior. Each day provides a devotional reading, scripture passages for further study, and a central theme for discussion.
29. The First Songs of Christmas by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth
This book offers 31 days of meditation on the first two chapters of Luke. The readings explore the songs of Elizabeth, Mary, Zechariah, the angels, and Simeon.
Advent Devotionals You May Have Overlooked
30. Heaven and Nature Sing by Hannah Anderson
Lovely reflections for 25 days of advent that explore the natural world as all creation teaches us to hope in our Savior. Beautiful devotional readings that incorporate scripture with descriptive storytelling to help us appreciate how the whole earth sings his praise.
31. Repeat the Sounding Joy by Christopher Ash
This book focuses exclusively on the story in Luke 1-2, with daily devotional readings, a prayer, a Christmas carol, and uniquely, a space to journal.
32. All Creation Waits by Gayle Boss and David Klein (illustrator)
A unique celebration of advent that features 25 daily reflections from scientists, poets, and philosophers who have found God through the beauty of creation. Each reading explores something about how wild animals survive the cold and dark of winter.
It is important to note that this is not a typical advent devotional, as it does not explicitly speak to the nativity story. As such, you may wish to accompany this book with a daily scripture reading.
Here are a few options to consider if you want a list of scriptures to read for the 25 days leading up to Christmas Day.
25 Advent Verses to Reflect on with Your Family This Christmas (Lifeway)
Advent Bible Verses and Scripture for Reflection (Crosswalk)
Advent Bible Verse Calendar – 25 Days (Raise Your Sword)
33. The One True Story by Tim Chester
An advent devotional with 24 daily readings working through Bible stories from Genesis to Revelation connecting the big story of the Bible with the nativity story. Each day includes a short reading, scripture suggestions, reflection, and prayer.
34. Awaiting the Manger by Ocieanna Fleiss
This advent book provides 25 days of readings focused on the ways the Old Testament pointed to the coming Savior. Every day includes relevant scripture passages, reflection questions, a prayer, and a hymn to focus on the day’s theme.
35. Let Your Light Shine: Daily Prayers for Advent by Sandi Geis
This book consists of a scripture and a prayer for every day of the four weeks of advent. Each day is focused around some aspect of the theme of light and darkness.
With very short readings, this could be a great option to read at breakfast or dinner, or as an end of day evening prayer.
36. O Come, O Come Emmanuel by Jonathan Gibson
This 40-day guide takes you through Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany with scripture readings, hymns, prayers, creeds, and prompts. This is a devotional liturgy that would likely not hold the attention of young children, but for teens, this offers a selection of historic creeds, prayers, hymns, and catechisms that may help ground them in the historic truths of their faith.
37. Be of Good Cheer by Susan Hill
A 40-day devotional that explores forty words that embody the true meaning of Christmas. Each daily reading is accompanied by scripture and a prayer.
38. Pauses for Advent: Words of Wonder by Trevor Hudson
A four-week advent devotional focusing on one biblical word of wonder for each day of Advent. Each of the four weeks also explores the lives of an individual or group of characters involved in the Christmas story—Mary, Joseph, the Magi, and the shepherds.
39. God’s Glory, Our Peace by Lauren Ibach
A 25-day Christmas Bible study consisting of three sections—the plan, the promise, and the peace.
“The Plan” focuses on the overarching story of the Bible. “The Promise” dives into Old Testament prophecies of Jesus’ birth. And “The Peace” brings our attention to the Christmas story, which highlights how we are given peace through Christ.
Each short lesson includes Scripture readings, observation questions, short commentaries, life application questions, and prayer prompts. Additionally, there are beautiful hand-lettered Bible verses throughout to focus on relevant scripture.
40. The Expected One by Scott James
This devotional is short enough to manage with the attention span of younger kids, but many of the reflection questions are appropriate for older kids and adults. Each daily devotion includes a scripture passage, an explanation of how that passage relates to the Christmas story, and several questions to consider and discuss. Perfect to include at family mealtimes or at the end of the day.
41. The God of Amazing Gifts by Lizzie Laferton
25 devotions centered around God as gift-giver and encompassing God’s Christmas gift, his gifts to us, and our gifts to give. A good option for families with a range of ages, with multiple options for discussion questions. Each day includes a scripture to read, questions for discussion, and a prayer of response.
42. Prepare Him Room by Susie Lawson
Daily advent devotional through Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection.
43. Embracing Advent by Jen Ludwig
Four weeks of advent readings encouraging you to hold on to hope, find peace, choose joy, love and be loved. The author prompts you to slow down, step back, and refocus with daily scripture readings and short devotional reflections.
44. The God Who Is With Us by Ronnie Martin
This 25-day advent devotional encourages us to look back and reflect on the ways God has been near to us as well as look forward in hope to the future. Each day provides a reading that focuses on a Bible verse or passage and concludes with an invitation to pause, ponder, and pray—including space for journaling.
45. The Christmas We Didn’t Expect by David Mathis
Discover the unexpected in this 24-day devotional that covers the following unexpected themes.
- an unexpected birth
- the unexpected child
- unexpected news
- unexpected guests
- an unexpected town
- unexpected joy
- our unexpected part
- that unexpected day
46. Don’t Miss the Wonder by Becky Meyerson
Twenty-five days of scripture readings, devotional commentary, and reflections intended to awaken your heart to the wonder and joy of Christmas
47. The Advent of the Lamb of God by Russ Ramsey
Daily advent devotions that explore the magnificent story of redemption. Twenty-five readings that connect the birth of Christ to the historical and cultural contexts of the Old Testament.
48. Preparing for Jesus by Walter Wangerin, Jr.
The author concentrates on how powerful, beautiful, and life-changing this season can be for believers. Contains scripture-based meditations for 25 days of advent, plus the traditional “12 Days of Christmas” for the twelve days after Christmas. The readings include scripture, story, reflections, and prayer.
49. Rejoice! Advent in All the Scriptures by Chris Wright and John Stott
Twenty-five meditations based on God coming to earth from John Stott’s teaching, accompanied by commentary and prayers from Chris Wright.
50. Tidings of Comfort and Joy by Mark Yarbrough
A 25-day devotional that focuses on a theme of rescue as it looks to Jesus through scripture reflections, prayers, and applications for advent.
Cultivating a Family Advent Reading Tradition
This list of advent devotional books offers a huge variety of options for your family. Whichever you choose, begin a tradition of advent readings together as a way to strengthen bonds and build memories while your kids are at home with you.
We all lead busy lives, but you will not regret making the effort to slow down, gather together, and focus on the reason for the season.
Allow the devotional readings to open up opportunities for discussion and questions with your kids so that they build a strong Biblical worldview and understand the fundamental tenets of their faith.
I pray your family will rejoice together in the celebration of Jesus’ birth this Christmas and the hope, love, joy, and peace that incarnation brings.
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