With the celebration of Jesus’ birth just around the corner, our grocery stores have already begun screaming of red and green. Our calendars and budgets are already contorting unnaturally. And our Amazon shopping carts are already filling.
With these blaring reminders of Christmas, one would think it impossible to forget the point behind this sacred holiday. And yet, we are all fully aware that as to-do lists get longer, the holy hosannas of this holiday begin to fade into the background.
If you are in need of a simple reminder of the Who behind the holiday, take a look through this list of resources. The first section is specifically for those looking to be more intentional in celebrating Christ, this Christmas. But the rest of the list is simply a compilation of great resources to benefit from all year long, for whichever season of life you may find yourself in. And maybe even an easy gift idea for someone you love!
Advent
Unwrapping the Greatest Gift, by Ann Voskamp
A daily devotional to go with each ornament on your Jesse Tree. This book has poetic reminders of Christ’s beautiful plan, as well as fun activities for families to do together.
Treasuring God in our Traditions, by Noel Piper
In this book, Noel walks through Christmas traditions that bring our children to a greater understanding of God, as well as covering an array of other seasons and holidays.
Seasons: A Church Calendar by the Village Church
This guide utilizes some of the traditions, songs, and fasts organized by the historic church calendar.
She Reads Truth Advent Store
She Reads Truth is a website that provides study booklets for December, as well as family activities to learn about the first Christmas.
Risen Motherhood Advent Resources
This podcast, directed towards mothers of little ones has multiple episodes giving ideas of how to celebrate advent, as well as a page of books, devotionals, and activities available.
Devotionals
New Morning Mercies: A Daily Gospel Devotional, by Paul Tripp
Shelter in a Time of Storm: Meditations on God and Trouble, by Paul Tripp
Praying the Attributes of God: A Guide to Personal Worship Through Prayer, by Rosemary Jensen
Walking with God in the Season of Motherhood, by Melissa B. Kruger
Women
Lies Women Believe and the Truths that Set Them Free, by Nancy Demoss Wolgemuth
Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely, by Lysa Terkeurst
It’s Not Supposed to be This Way: Finding Unexpected Strength When Disappointments Leave You Shattered, by Lysa Terkeurst
Gay Girl, Good God: The Story of Who I Was and Who God Has Always Been, by Jackie Hill Perry
Made for More: An Invitation to Live in God’s Image, by Hannah Anderson
Searching for Spring: How God Makes all Things Beautiful Over Time, by Christine Hoover
Faithful Women and their Extraordinary God, by Noel Piper
Marriage
What Did You Expect? Redeeming the Realities of Marriage, by Paul Tripp
Visionary Marriage: Capture a God-sized Vision for Your Marriage, by Rob & Amy Reinow
Staying Close: Stopping the Natural Drift Toward Isolation in Marriage, by Dennis and Barbara Rainey
The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God, by Tim Keller
Parenting
Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles that Can Radically Change Your Family, by Paul Tripp
Visionary Parenting: Capture a God-sized Vision for Your Family, by Rob & Amy Reinow
For the Love of Discipline: When the Gospel Meets Tantrums and Time-outs, by Sara Wallace
Bible Studies
In His Image: 10 Ways God Calls Us to Reflect His Character, by Jen Wilson
None Like Him: 10 Ways God is Different From Us, by Jen Wilkin
Women of the Word: How to Study the Bible With Both our Hearts and our Minds, by Jen Wilson
Living the Cross-Centered Life: Keeping the Gospel the Main Thing, by C.J. Mahaney
Life
Spurgeon’s Sorrows: Realistic Hope for Those who Suffer from Depression, by Zack Swine
Hope After Betrayal: Healing When Sexual Addiction Invades Your Marriage, by Meg Wilson
The Storm-Tossed Family, by Russell Moore
Crazy Busy: A (Mercifully) Short Book about a (Really) Big Problem, by Kevin DeYoung
The Scars That Have Shaped Me: How God Meets Us in the Suffering, by Vaneetha Rendall Risner
The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert, by Rosaria Butterfield
Evangelism
The Gospel Comes With a House Key: Practicing Radically Ordinary Hospitality in our Post-Christian World, by Rosaria Butterfield
Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God, by J.I. Packer
Friends with Sinners, by Harvey Turner
Grace Enough 