Christmas & Advent Devotionals for the Whole Family
Inside: My favorite Christmas and Advent devotionals for personal reading and family devotions, plus books for children and Christmas hymns.
Christmas is near, and I know many of us will be looking for a good devotional for our own personal use or one to read together as a family. You may even enjoy giving them as a gift during the Christmas season.
If you’re looking for gifts for family and friends visit my Gift Guides for the Whole Family. You can find all Christmas posts at the blog here. Visit my Amazon shop for more gift ideas too!
Christmas & Advent Devotionals:
Below is a mix of devotionals our family has used over the years during the Advent season. As always, please leave your favorites with us in the comments too.
My Top Three Favorites:
I picked up Paul David Tripp’s Come, Let Us Adore Him in 2017, and it still gets read quite often. Sinclair Ferguson’s Love Came Down at Christmas and The Dawn of Redeeming Grace are ones to put on your list if you haven’t read them yet. You can use them with the whole family too. Marty Machowski’s Prepare Him Room has been a favorite over the years to read with our grandchildren.
Daily Advent Devotionals for Personal Reading
Charles Spurgeon
Last year I used Spurgeon’s A Wondrous Mystery, and it’s based on 30 devotional readings from his sermons. I really appreciated this one. The Newborn King has short reflections with the language lightly updated, so it’s the easiest of the three to read, especially if you’re new to Spurgeon. Joy to the World has short five-minute readings, and each one is centered on the theme of joy.
Let Earth Receive Her King: Daily Readings for Advent by Alistair Begg
Alistair Begg’s Advent devotional gently draws our hearts to the beauty of Christ’s coming, offering clear, Scripture-rich reflections that help us worship and rest in the hope of our King.
Recapturing the Glory of Christmas by R. Albert Mohler Jr.
This Christ-centered devotional beautifully blends deep theology with the wonder of Christmas, guiding us to worship and draw our hearts closer to Jesus each day, whether on our own or together with family.
J.C. Ryle
In Christmas Thoughts, J.C. Ryle leads us back to the heart of Christmas, reminding us of the wonder and grace of Christ’s incarnation in rich and deeply encouraging words. The Coming of the King is another good choice, with 25 devotional readings for Advent.
Journey to Bethlehem: A Treasury of Classic Christmas Devotionals by Leland Ryken
Journey to Bethlehem by Leland Ryken is a thoughtfully curated Advent devotional that brings classic hymns, poems, and writings from Christian history into focus. Each day’s reading provides rich insights and helps us experience the wonder of Christ’s incarnation with a fresh sense of awe and appreciation, making it a wonderful companion for the Christmas season.
The Advent of Glory: 24 Devotions for Christmas by R.C. Sproul
The devotions, edited from R.C. Sproul’s talks, each focus on a keyword from the Christmas story. Each devotion is accompanied by prayers from authors such as Tim Challies, Sinclair Ferguson, and Joni Eareckson Tada.
The Christmas We Didn’t Expect: A Daily Advent Devotional (Devotions for Christmas reflecting on the wonder of Jesus’ incarnation) by David Mathis
Repeat the Sounding Joy A Daily Advent Devotional on Luke 1 – 2 (Devotions for Christmas reflecting on the experiences of those who witnessed the birth of Jesus) by Christopher Ash
Tim Chester
Tim Chester has three Advent Devotionals that have 24 devotional readings and ideas for reflection, prayer, and meditation. The One True Story: Daily Readings for Advent from Genesis to Jesus, The One True Gift: Daily Readings for Advent to Encourage and Inspire, and The One True Light: Daily Advent Readings from the Gospel of John.
John Piper
John Piper has two that are also free at Desiring God in a PDF download (the PDFs are linked here: The Dawning of Indestructible Joy and Good News of Great Joy) and they are ones you’ll return to again and again. If you’d like to purchase a physical copy, click the links below. The Dawning of Indestructible Joy: Daily Readings for Advent and Good News of Great Joy: 25 Devotional Readings for Advent.
Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus by Nancy Guthrie
My Soul Magnifies the Lord by Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Children & Families:
Manger in Danger: A Family Christmas Tradition by Grant & GraceAnna Castleberry
Manger in Danger is a unique Advent devotional that beautifully combines a fun, interactive tradition with a theologically rich focus on the true meaning of Christmas. It guides families to reflect on the incredible reality of Christ’s birth and how it points to the Gospel, making this a memorable and Christ-centered way to celebrate the season.
To learn more about how Manger in Danger can become a Christ-centered tradition for your family, be sure to check out this wonderful post by GraceAnna Castleberry: A Christ-Centered Christmas Tradition for the Whole Family.
Promised Made Promises Kept: A Family Devotional for Christmas by Marty Machowski
Promises Made, Promises Kept by Marty Machowski is a beautiful way to walk through the Christmas season as a family, exploring how Jesus fulfilled God’s promises of a Savior. With 14 engaging Bible stories, thoughtful questions, and stunning illustrations, this book will become a cherished tradition for the weeks surrounding Christmas.
The Biggest Story Advent: 25 Lift-the-Flap Devotions for Families by Kevin DeYoung
The God of Amazing Gifts: Family Devotions For Advent (Christmas devotional to help the whole family get excited about God’s greatest gift – Jesus) by Lizzie Laferton
I picked this one up for my daughter a couple years ago and it’s one that works well with teens too.
Barbara Reaoch
Barbara Reaoch has two books out that are both great for family devotions: A Jesus Christmas: Explore God’s Amazing Plan for Christmas (An Interactive Family Advent Devotional Complete with Parent Guide, Discussion Questions, Activities, and Space for Journaling) and A Better Than Anything Christmas: Explore How Jesus Makes Christmas Better (An Interactive Family Advent Devotional Complete with Parent Guide, Activities, and Space for Journaling)
Marty Machowski
Marty Machowski is a favorite in our home to read to our grandkids, and his advent books will be ones all ages in your family will enjoy. Check out Prepare Him Room: Celebrating the Birth of Jesus Family Devotional and The Light Before Christmas: A Family Advent Devotional
Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room by Nancy Guthrie
This was one of our early Advent devotionals we used as a family and loved this one.
Christmas Hymn Devotionals:
Brightest and Best: 31 Advent Devotions on Jesus by Philippa Wilson
It’s built around well-loved Christmas carols.
40 Favorite Hymns for the Christian Year: A Closer Look at Their Spiritual and Poetic Meaning by Leland Ryken
Leland Ryken has a beautiful book on favorite hymns covering the whole year. It’s a great year round resource to have on hand.
With Heart and Soul and Voice: Advent Devotions on the First Christmas Songs by Tim Chester
More Resources:
Westminster Books Advent
Westminster Children & Families
Christ-Focused Christmas Gift Guide for the Whole Family
Names of Jesus Advent Calendar from Lacewing Creative
Celebrating Advent: Looking Back and Looking Forward
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Please note: I don’t affirm every aspect of every resource, and inclusion on this page doesn’t equate to a full endorsement of all of an author’s works. Please always hold to the Bible as your primary source of truth.