Advent, from the Latin word meaning "to come," is a time of preparing for God''s loving gift - Jesus Christ.

Advent, A Calendar of Devotions will guide you in your preparation from the first Sunday of Advent until Christmas Day. Each daily devotion includes a recommended Scripture reading, a Bible verse, an inspiring message based on a favorite Christmas song, and an uplifting prayer, written by a leading Christian educator.

Lighting the candles in an Advent wreath at the family meal or other prayer time each Sunday and on Christmas day is a meaningful way to add to your preparation during this holy season. The booklet is 3 1/4" x 6 1/4" with 10pt type and fits easily into a #10 envelope for mailing to shut-ins and others.

Ideal for churches to purchase in large quantities and distribute to members.

Also available in Large Print (14pt.).

Other resources for your family:
Advent Wreaths
  Love, Peace Hope & Joy Gold Wire Votive Holder 
  Love, Peace Hope & Joy Black Wire Votive Holder
Children of the World
Nativity Star
Home Candlelight Service Set

Sample Devotional - December 18, 2006

Read Luke 2:13-1
"Glory to God in the highest heaven." - Luke 2:14a

Have you ever seen anyone cup their ear or hold a glass to the side of their head to help them hear? This method really does work to help the ear hear more sound waves. Do you know what the word hark means? To hark is to "hearken" or to "listen."

Advent is an important time to learn to listen more closely because there is so much noise going on around us. If we don''t listen, we might miss something important. Charles Wesley was born in a time when people weren''t listening for the sound of the coming of Christ at Christmas. The puritans of Wesley''s day believed that it was wrong to make any special fuss over Christmas. They thought a person should just go to work and treat that day the same as any other. But Charles Wesley was blessed with the gift of hearing God''s message, and one of the early hymns of the six thousand five hundred that he wrote was called "Hymn for Christmas Day."

That hymn might have gotten lost among so many; but another musician, William, Hayman
Cummings, noticed that Felix Mendelssohn''s music fit with the words that Wesley had written. 
When Mendelssohn''s music was matched with Wesley''s words, "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," one of the most beautiful of Christmas carols, was created.

"Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" reminds us to listen to the angel chorus and join in their joyful song. When we remember to harken or listen to the angel''s message during this season, we can join the chorus and give "glory to the newborn King."

Prayer: Sun of Righteousness, remind us that Christmas is a time to listen for the message of the angel''s chorus and help us to respond with songs of praise. Amen.

About the Author:
Phyllis Wezeman is Director of Christian Nurture at a downtown congregation in South Bend, Indiana, President of Active Learning Associates, Inc., and Resource Coordinator of Rotation.org, Inc. Phyllis has published many books and articles for magazines, including Children''s Teacher and Leader. She and her husband, Ken, co-authored Sanctuary for Lent in 2003 and 2004, as well as WordAlive Bulletin devotions. Phyllis is the author of Abingdon''s new book 100 Ways to Tell God''s Great Story. She is a frequent presenter at conferences, including Christian Educator''s Fellowship and FOCUS.