Advent Studies to Prepare your Heart for Christmas

Christmas will be here before we know it! Are you looking to make Christmas more meaningful? Why not try an Advent study?! The holidays can be such a busy time but if you have not started a Bible study or reading plan, Advent is the perfect time to begin! I love what Becky Kiser from Sacred Holidays says,

“Friend, this is not the season to ‘give yourself grace’ or lighten things up. Instead, let’s lean in all the more…We give ourselves grace when the chaos happens this season in knowing that we will not do this perfectly…the aim is not perfection, it’s connection with Jesus.“

Amen, right?!

I’ve included various types of studies so hopefully you can find one that works for you with the amount of time that you have-and hey, a little bit of time is better than none 😉

“Advent 2018: Until the Son of God Appears” by She Reads Truth: A four week reading plan with questions, prayers, recipes, fun activities and goodies, studying the arrival and anticipation of Jesus through the Bible. Begins December 2. Find more information HERE.
“Waiting for Advent: How Christ Fills the Longing in our Hearts” by The Daily Grace Co. A five week study on waiting: waiting for the arrival of Jesus and how God works in our lives in times of waiting. A beautiful study book is available for purchase. Begins November 30. Find more HERE.
“Savior” by Love God Greatly: This study uses the SOAK method, blog posts three times a week that correspond to the study, and daily posts on their social media sites. You can purchase the journal or download the study for FREE! Begins November 26. Find more information HERE. Love God Greatly also has their previous Advent studies available for purchase or download- God With Us, His Name Is, and The Road to Christmas.
“The First Songs of Christmas” by Nancy Leigh DeMoss (Revive Our Hearts): A devotional study through biblical characters who were the first to sing Christ’s praises and why we can sing, too. Fun goodies like free lockscreens for your phone and corresponding blog posts round out this study. Find more information HERE.
“The Case for Christmas” by Lee Strobel hosted by Faith Gateway: This is a four week study looking at the birth of Jesus, separating fact from fiction, and will leave you with even more confidence that the accounts in the Bible of Jesus’s birth are true! Includes videos, free printables (Christmas art, a reading plan, conversation starters and tips on sharing Jesus this Christmas). It begins November 26. Find more HERE.
Advent Reading Plan by Lifeway Women: An email sent each Friday, beginning November 30, with a reading plan for the week, ideas to celebrate the season, recipes, printables, and lockscreens to enjoy and reflect on Advent. Find more information HERE.
“The Wonders of His Love” by Living Free Indeed: A Bible reading plan with daily devotions sent directly to your inbox beginning November 26. Find out more HERE.
“For All” and “He Is” by Sacred Holidays: There are two studies available this season-“For All” is focused on the Christmas story, tracing it through the Old and New Testament and “He Is” focuses on the attributes of God. Both have journals available for purchase and are 25 days of study written by various contributing authors. Find out more HERE.
“Keeping Our Hearts Focused On Jesus” by Women Living Well: A free E-book that includes weekly devotions and scriptures, fun activities to do with your family, recipes, and pages to SOAK your study. Find out more HERE.
“Hope Rekindled” by Sarah Koontz: A free Bible reading plan sent directly to your email each day for four weeks beginning December 1. Focuses on the four steps of Advent: promise, preparation, peace, and praise and is geared towards families. Find out more HERE.

I hope that an Advent study will help you in allowing you the opportunity to slow down for a bit and focus on the reason for all the celebration. I don’t think any of us want to get to the end of Christmas and realize we didn’t focus on Jesus. Don’t be afraid to start a study just because you think you won’t be able to finish it; the point is soaking in time with Jesus, not checking it off our to-do list!