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The season of Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas and is the time set aside when Christians around the world prepare their hearts for the coming of Christ. Advent is all about slowing down, waiting, and longing for the fulfillment of God’s purposes. As a young mom with four little kids, the season of Advent was anything but those things! It was not the most wonderful time of the year, it was the most stressful time! There were sugar highs, presents to buy, cookies to make, and so many activities to go to! For me, the season of Advent was hectic and filled with anxiety. Remembering Christ One of the things that centered me every year was the Bidding Prayer from the Anglican service of Advent Lessons and Carols. It’s called a “bidding prayer” because it’s bidding us, inviting us, to enter into Advent with all our hearts. It invites us to “let it be our care and delight” to step out of the frantic pace of this world and to hear again the message of the Angels, that a Savior had been born to us which is Christ the Lord. Here’s the first part of the Bidding Prayer: Beloved in Christ, in this season of Advent, let it be our care and delight to prepare ourselves to hear again the message of the Angels, and in heart and mind to go even unto Bethlehem, to see the Babe lying in a manger. Let us read and mark in Holy Scripture the tale of the loving purposes of God from the first days of our disobedience unto the glorious Redemption brought us by his holy Child, and let us look forward to the yearly remembrance of his birth with hymns and songs of praise… The bidding prayer was written by an Anglican priest named Eric Milner-White. He served as an army chaplain during the First World War on both the Western Front and in the Italian Campaign. He returned home from the war on January 5, 1918, and was made the Dean of King’s College. Within his first year of being home, he introduced the Lessons and Carols service along with his beautiful bidding prayer on Christmas Eve, 1918. Remembering the World Though it begins by remembering Christ, the Bidding Prayer does not retreat from the world. Its second section invites us to remember in our prayers “the needs of the whole world:” let us pray for the needs of his whole world; for peace and goodwill over all the earth; for the mission and unity of the Church for which he died, and especially in this country and within this city. And because this of all things would rejoice his heart, let us at this time remember in his name the poor and the helpless; the hungry and the oppressed; the sick and those who mourn; the lonely and the unloved; the aged and the little children; and all those who know not the Lord Jesus, or who love him not, or who by sin have grieved his heart of love. One hundred and ninety-nine men from King’s College alone died in the war, not to mention the hundreds of thousands of Milner-White’s countrymen. It is remarkable to think that having just returned from the war, with all of its senseless death and trauma, Milner-White could call both to pray for the world’s pain and also to delight again in Christ. An Advent Invitation for All If Eric Milner-White could delight in Christ in the midst of a World War, each of us can find hope in Chris in the midst of our struggles. As you enter into the season of Advent, maybe you feel overwhelmed, tired, or just distracted and anxious by all that needs to be done. Maybe, like me, you need to hear this bidding prayer – this invitation once again to let it be our care and delight in this holy season to prepare our hearts and homes for the coming of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Here is the Advent Bidding Prayer in its entirety: “Beloved in Christ, in this season of Advent, let it be our care and delight to prepare ourselves to hear again the message of the Angels, and in heart and mind to go even unto Bethlehem, to see the Babe lying in a manger. Let us read and mark in Holy Scripture the tale of the loving purposes of God from the first days of our disobedience unto the glorious Redemption brought us by his holy Child, and let us look forward to the yearly remembrance of his birth with hymns and songs of praise. But first, let us pray for the needs of his whole world; for peace and goodwill over all the earth; for the mission and unity of the Church for which he died, and especially in this country and within this city. And because this of all things would rejoice his heart, let us at this time remember in his name the poor and the helpless; the hungry and the oppressed; the sick and those who mourn; the lonely and the unloved; the aged and the little children; and all those who know not the Lord Jesus, or who love him not, or who by sin have grieved his heart of love. Lastly, let us remember before God his pure and lowly Mother, and all those who rejoice with us, but upon another shore and in a greater light, that multitude which no one can number, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, and with whom, in this Lord Jesus, we for evermore are one.”

The season of Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas and is the time set aside when Christians around the world prepare their hearts for the coming of Christ. Advent is all about slowing down, waiting, and longing for the fulfillment of God’s purposes. As a young mom with four little kids, the season of Advent was anything but those things! It was not the most wonderful time of the year, it was the most stressful time! There were sugar highs, presents to buy, cookies to make, and so many activities to go to! For me, the season of Advent was hectic and filled with anxiety. Remembering Christ One of the things that centered me every year was the Bidding Prayer from the Anglican service of Advent Lessons and Carols. It’s called a “bidding prayer” because it’s bidding us, inviting us, to enter into Advent with all our hearts. It invites us to “let it be our care and delight” to step out of the frantic pace of this world and to hear again the message of the Angels, that a Savior had been born to us which is Christ the Lord. Here’s the first part of the Bidding Prayer: Beloved in Christ, in this season of Advent, let it be our care and delight to prepare ourselves to hear again the message of the Angels, and in heart and mind to go even unto Bethlehem, to see the Babe lying in a manger. Let us read and mark in Holy Scripture the tale of the loving purposes of God from the first days of our disobedience unto the glorious Redemption brought us by his holy Child, and let us look forward to the yearly remembrance of his birth with hymns and songs of praise… The bidding prayer was written by an Anglican priest named Eric Milner-White. He served as an army chaplain during the First World War on both the Western Front and in the Italian Campaign. He returned home from the war on January 5, 1918, and was made the Dean of King’s College. Within his first year of being home, he introduced the Lessons and Carols service along with his beautiful bidding prayer on Christmas Eve, 1918. Remembering the World Though it begins by remembering Christ, the Bidding Prayer does not retreat from the world. Its second section invites us to remember in our prayers “the needs of the whole world:” let us pray for the needs of his whole world; for peace and goodwill over all the earth; for the mission and unity of the Church for which he died, and especially in this country and within this city. And because this of all things would rejoice his heart, let us at this time remember in his name the poor and the helpless; the hungry and the oppressed; the sick and those who mourn; the lonely and the unloved; the aged and the little children; and all those who know not the Lord Jesus, or who love him not, or who by sin have grieved his heart of love. One hundred and ninety-nine men from King’s College alone died in the war, not to mention the hundreds of thousands of Milner-White’s countrymen. It is remarkable to think that having just returned from the war, with all of its senseless death and trauma, Milner-White could call both to pray for the world’s pain and also to delight again in Christ. An Advent Invitation for All If Eric Milner-White could delight in Christ in the midst of a World War, each of us can find hope in Chris in the midst of our struggles. As you enter into the season of Advent, maybe you feel overwhelmed, tired, or just distracted and anxious by all that needs to be done. Maybe, like me, you need to hear this bidding prayer – this invitation once again to let it be our care and delight in this holy season to prepare our hearts and homes for the coming of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Here is the Advent Bidding Prayer in its entirety: “Beloved in Christ, in this season of Advent, let it be our care and delight to prepare ourselves to hear again the message of the Angels, and in heart and mind to go even unto Bethlehem, to see the Babe lying in a manger. Let us read and mark in Holy Scripture the tale of the loving purposes of God from the first days of our disobedience unto the glorious Redemption brought us by his holy Child, and let us look forward to the yearly remembrance of his birth with hymns and songs of praise. But first, let us pray for the needs of his whole world; for peace and goodwill over all the earth; for the mission and unity of the Church for which he died, and especially in this country and within this city. And because this of all things would rejoice his heart, let us at this time remember in his name the poor and the helpless; the hungry and the oppressed; the sick and those who mourn; the lonely and the unloved; the aged and the little children; and all those who know not the Lord Jesus, or who love him not, or who by sin have grieved his heart of love. Lastly, let us remember before God his pure and lowly Mother, and all those who rejoice with us, but upon another shore and in a greater light, that multitude which no one can number, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, and with whom, in this Lord Jesus, we for evermore are one.”

Happy first day of November! This is a slower month in the Liturgical Calendar, much slower than October (whew!). We are still moving through the season of Ordinary Time, the longest season of the Church Year. We start with All Saints' Day where we celebrate those who have faithfully served the Lord and who are now with him in heaven. At the end of the month, we celebrate Christ the King Sunday, a special Sunday where the Church recognizes and celebrates Christ as our King. We end November with the Feast of St. Andrew, the Apostle, a faithful disciple of Jesus who later became an Apostle to the Church. Follow along as I share everything you’ll need to celebrate every special day this month, including the history, recipes, and traditions. Helpful Links: All Saints' Day

When it comes to baking an apple pie, my family has a delightful twist to the classic recipe that brings out an even richer and more homely flavor: using grated apples instead of sliced ones. Growing up, this was the only way I knew apple pie. My grandmother made it this way and so did my mom. When I would eat apple pie at other people's homes, I never liked it, the apple slices were too tart, crunchy, or big. Grating the apples makes every bite so soft it almost melts in your mouth. This method transforms the texture and gives every bite a smoother, deeper apple flavor. I promise once you've tried grated apple pie, you'll never make apple pie the old way again! Grated Apple Pie The Crust 1 1/2 cups flour 1/2 teaspoon salt 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed 2 tablespoons cold shortening 3 to 4 tablespoons ice water Whisk flour and salt together in a food processor. Add cubed butter and shortening. Pulse until the mixture resembles a coarse meal with pea-sized bits of fat throughout. Drizzle the ice water in, 1 tablespoon at a time until dough begins to form large clumps. Transfer the pie dough to a floured work surface. Using floured hands, fold the dough into itself until the flour is fully incorporated into the fats. The dough should come together easily and should not feel too sticky. Avoid overworking the dough. If it feels a bit too dry or crumbly, dip your fingers in the ice water and then continue bringing the dough together with your hands. If it feels too sticky, sprinkle on more flour and then continue bringing the dough together with your hands. Form it into a round disk. Wrap each tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 5 days. After 2 hours, lightly flour the work surface, rolling pin, and your hands, and sprinkle a little flour on top of the dough. When rolling dough out, start from the center and work your way out in all directions, turning the dough with your hands as you go. Roll the dough into a very thin 12-inch circle. Use your rolling pin to help transfer the pie crust to the pie dish. Carefully roll one end of the circle of dough gently onto the rolling pin, rolling it back towards you, slowly peeling it off the work surface as you go. Pick it up, and carefully roll it back out over the top of the pie dish. The Filling 1 stick of butter 1 cup of sugar 1 egg, beaten 1 heaping tablespoon of flour 1/4 teaspoon allspice 3 cups grated apples Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan. Add grated apples, sugar, allspice, flour, and beaten egg. Stir together until fully incorporated. Pour into unbaked pie crust. Bake for 1 hour.

One of the main themes of Advent is on giving rather than receiving. We give because God first freely gave to us. He held nothing back! He even gave us his most precious gift - his only Son. One of my favorite ways to emphasize the act of giving is through the Christmas Crib tradition. The Christmas Crib has become one of our family's most meaningful Advent traditions. It is a beautiful and simple activity that emphasizes thinking of others and doing good deeds. To make the Christmas Crib, before the first Sunday of Advent, gather together a small basket or the manger from your nativity set, a small cup or dish, raffia or straw cut into 2-inch pieces, and a baby Jesus figurine. You will also need a bowl filled with the names of the family members on slips of paper. Then, on the first Sunday of Advent, right after evening devotions, set the small basket or manger out on your kitchen or dining room table. Next to the manger, place the small cup or dish. Fill the cup or dish with the pieces of straw and place the baby Jesus figurine next to it all. The bowl with the slips of paper is passed around and everyone takes a slip of paper with a name on it. The person whose name one has drawn is now in one’s special care throughout Advent. From this day until Christmas, one has to do as many little favors for him or her as one can. One has to provide at least one surprise every single day - but without ever being found out. Explain to your family that Advent is about preparing our hearts for the coming of our Savior, Jesus, and that during Advent we try to do as many good deeds for others as we can. Tell them that the person whose name they have drawn and who is under their care becomes for them the little helpless Christ Child in the manger. Explain to them that the straw in the cup is for baby Jesus’ manger. From now on, whenever they do a good deed for that family member or for someone else, they should get a piece of straw from the cup and place it in the manger. Explain to your children that the goal is to get the manger as full as possible before Christmas Eve so that baby Jesus has a super soft bed. My family takes this tradition very seriously! I can’t tell you how touching (and surprising!) it is to see my children doing as many good deeds as they can. They love to know that baby Jesus will be surrounded by their love and good deeds made visible with the straw. It is such a sweet tradition that creates a spirit of selfless love and generosity.

Looking for a simple meal idea for Thanksgiving week? Try my “Homemade” Pizza! I use a homemade pizza crust that is ready in less than thirty minutes. It’s crisp on the outside, soft on the inside and so, so good! Then, to make things even easier, use a bottle of jarred pizza sauce. It makes everything SO much simpler! Next, layer on your favorite toppings: mozzarella, pepperoni, thinly sliced onions, feta cheese, parmesan cheese, whatever you like! I hope this helps make this crazy week a little bit less stressful and hopefully a welcome break from Turkey overload! My Favorite Pizza Crust ▢ 1 cup warm water (105 degrees F) ▢ 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar ▢ 1 Tablespoon active dry yeast ▢ 1 TBSaTablespoon olive oil ▢ 2 to 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour* ▢ 1 tsp fine sea salt Preheat oven to 500 degrees F. Put a pizza stone in the oven while it preheats, and let it warm at 500 degrees F for at least 10 minutes.* Combine warm water, yeast and sugar in a large mixing bowl and stir to combine. Let mixture sit for 5 minutes, or until it becomes frothy and bubbles form. Gently stir in olive oil. Add 2 cups of flour and salt and mix with a spatula until a ball begins to form (dough will still be slightly sticky). Add more flour as needed to form a dough ball. Transfer to a floured surface and knead into a smooth dough, adding up to ½ cup extra flour if needed. Sprinkle a pan with a little cornmeal or flour, place dough on pan and gently press out with your fingers till the dough is your desired shape.

We have no school for the entire Thanksgiving week! I'm trying to keep things simple so I don't get stressed out but I'm also trying to throw in some things that will be fun and unexpected for my kids. Today I thought I'd make banana muffins before they woke up. Muffins are so easy to make and these are the best banana muffins ever! They are warm and moist and have a little bit of sour cream that really gives them an amazing depth! What’s a simple something that you make that's easy but also brings everyone joy? Best Banana Muffins ½ cup butter 1 cup sugar 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 cup mashed bananas ½ cup sour cream 1 ½ cups flour 1 teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt Combine the butter and sugar in a mixer. Add eggs, vanilla, bananas and sour cream. Then add flour, baking soda and salt. Beat for one minute. Pour into greased muffin tin. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes.

One of my favorite ways to celebrate Advent is with The Advent Wreath. An Advent Wreath is such a wonderful visual symbol to help us mark the passage of time through Advent. On the very first Sunday of Advent, my family collects greenery from our yard, assembles the wreath, and put it in the middle of our kitchen table. The wreath is such a powerful sign to our family that we are joyfully waiting for the coming of our Savior, the Christ Child, as we light a new candle every Sunday night. Everything about the wreath is symbolic and is an excellent teaching tool. The shape of the circle and the evergreens represent eternity. Candles represent a time of preparation and purification as well as the light or presence of Christ. The color of the candles is also symbolic. Violet represents penitence as we prepare our hearts for the birth of our Savior. Blue can also be used instead of violet to symbolize a sense of expectancy. The rose or pink candle represents Mary, the willing servant of God and the mother of our Lord. The white candle represents Christ and is lit on Christmas Eve. Every Sunday night, we gather as a family, have our Advent devotion, sing, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” and light the next Advent candle. It builds such anticipation to watch as every candle burns a little more. I love gathering in the evening, lighting the candles, breathing in the smell of evergreens, and reading through the story of our salvation with my family. Make an Advent Wreath from a kit or on your own and hang it from the ceiling or place it in the center of your dining table. I really like a large Advent Wreath so I am giving you instructions and supplies for the one I make. Once you have assembled your wreath, gather your family every Sunday night for Evening Prayer, light the appropriate number of candles and pray through your family devotions. Make Your Own: Large Wreath (16") Supplies Metal Advent Ring (16") 12 inch Advent candle set (three purple and one pink candle) One White Pillar Candle Fresh evergreen branches of your choice (pine, juniper, seeded eucalyptus, cedar, etc.) Pruning Snips Directions Cut and place the greenery around your metal wreath form. Use the ties that are included to attach your greenery. Place your wreath in the middle of your dining or breakfast table. Insert the purple and pink candles into the holders and place them equidistantly around the inside of the wreath. Place the white candle in the middle of the Advent Wreath.

The season of Advent is the special time set aside when Christians around the world prepare for the coming of Jesus. One of my favorite ways to mark the passage of Advent in my home is with a Nativity Set. Nativity Sets serve as a powerful visual reminder that we are drawing ever closer to the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In order to get the most out of you Nativity Set, set it up in a prominent place in your home so that it is visible throughout Advent. If you have children, make sure you use a set that is very kid friendly so that your children can help set it up and move the figures throughout Advent. Also, make sure that you allow them to play with it throughout Advent. Children learn so much when they are able to interact with play. Most people set their scene up all at once and we had as well until I discovered that traditionally, the nativity figures are set up in a certain way so that it tells the nativity story. Every day, figures are slowly moved to create a sense of anticipation. Mary, Joseph, the donkey and the animals are placed around the empty manger. The shepherds and sheep are further away and the Wise Men are the farthest away. On Christmas Eve, baby Jesus is lovingly added to the manger and the shepherds and sheep gather around. The Wise Men continue to move closer and closer until they finally arrive on the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6. I love this way of setting up our Nativity Set. It is so much more fun for the family! Historical Note - The first nativity scene is credited to Saint Francis of Assisi. On Christmas Eve in 1223, he had the idea to re-create the Nativity Scene using real people and animals. The idea of a nativity scene in one’s own town quickly spread throughout Christendom. Shortly after that, people began constructing large nativity scenes in their homes. As the years passed, the nativity scenes got smaller and now fit on a table or shelf. If you'd like to celebrate Advent in your home with a nativity set, here is a round-up of my favorite ones. Global Crafts Nativity Set $39.99 Fair Trade. Handmade in Kenya with banana leaves. Women in Kenya are taught the art of recycling dried banana fiber to make a sustainable living. Holy Land Olive Wood Nativity Set $38.58 This is the one that we own and I love it. It is indestructible and has such a simple beauty. Hand Carved Olive Wood Children's 12-piece Nativity Set made in the Holy Land. Vineworks Fair Trade 11 Piece Metal Nativity Set $49.00 Fair trade and made of punched tin in Haiti. WONDROUS' DECO Wooden Nativity Set $23.99 A cute mini nativity set. The whole nativity scene measures 11¾'' L x 1¼'' W x 7'' H. The set comes with a wooden house with 11 different figures. Global Crafts Handmade Natural Soapstone Nativity Set $59.99 Each sculpture is artfully hand-carved from a single piece of Kisii soapstone, found only in the hills of southwestern Kenya. Mining the soapstone from surface hills is a labor-intensive process, using little to no machinery. Laborers works with shovels, picks, axes and machetes to carve out large soapstone chucks, which are then carved into beautiful art. Metal Nativity Set 6 Pieces $39.99 ​This nativity scene is handcrafted from cold-rolled steel in Utah. For More Colorful, Toy Options: Fisher-Price Little People Toddler Toy Nativity Set $47.98 Melissa Dan Doug Classic Nativity Set for Kids $47.98

The season of Advent is the special time set aside where Christians around the world prepare for the coming of Jesus. One of my favorite ways to mark the passage of Advent is with a Nativity Scene. Over the years, I have been given sets from all over the world and I absolutely love each one. We have one made from olive wood from Bethlehem and one made from tin. My husband brought back some from his mission trips to Africa and Guatemala. I love them all. They are all so unique and they remind me that we are all part of the body of Christ no matter where we live. Did you know that the first nativity scene is credited to Saint Francis of Assisi? He had it created for Christmas Eve in 1223 and they used real people and animals. The idea of a nativity scene in one’s own town quickly spread throughout Christendom. Shortly thereafter, people began constructing large nativity scenes in their homes. As the years have passed, the nativity scenes have gotten smaller and now fit on a table or shelf. We always set up our scene all at once until I discovered that traditionally, the nativity figures are set up in a certain way. Like an Advent Calendar, figures are slowly added to the scene to create a sense of anticipation. As Christmas Day approaches, Mary, Joseph, and the donkey move closer to the manger where the other animals are waiting. The shepherds and sheep also move closer until they finally arrive on Christmas Eve when baby Jesus is added to the manger. The Wise Men are kept the farthest away and move closer and closer until they finally arrive at the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6. Here is a round-up of some really sweet Nativity Sets that I found. Global Crafts Nativity Set Was $49.99 now on sale for $39.99 Fair Trade. Handmade in Kenya with banana leaves. Women in Kenya are taught the art of recycling dried banana fiber to make a sustainable living. Holy Land Olive Wood Nativity Set $38.58 Hand Carved Olive Wood Children's 12-piece Nativity Set made in the Holy Land. Vineworks Fair Trade 11 Piece Metal Nativity Set $49.00 Fair trade and made of punched tin in Haiti. WONDROUS' DECO Wooden Nativity Set $22.99 A cute mini nativity set. The whole nativity scene measures 11¾'' L x 1¼'' W x 7'' H. The set comes with a wooden house with 11 different figures. Global Crafts Handmade Natural Soapstone Nativity Set $59.99 Each sculpture is artfully hand-carved from a single piece of Kisii soapstone, found only in the hills of southwestern Kenya. Mining the soapstone from surface hills is a labor-intensive process, using little to no machinery. Laborers works with shovels, picks, axes and machetes to carve out large soapstone chucks, which are then carved into beautiful art. Metal Nativity Set 6 Pieces $39.95 + there's a $2 off coupon! ​This nativity scene is handcrafted from cold-rolled steel in Utah.

The season of Advent is the time when we prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus. It is also a time of great anticipation and joy. Reading special children's books about the season is a great way to prepare their hearts for the coming of Jesus and build a sense of great anticipation. We kept our favorite Advent books in a box in the attic all year long. On the first Sunday of Advent, I would bring the books and place them in a basket in the living room. The kids were always so excited to see these books that had been stored away! They would “ooh” and “aah” and yell, “I remember this one”, or “I love this one” with total delight! Each child would grab their favorite and for the next couple of hours, there would be complete silence as they looked through the books. There were some that we read aloud. There were some that we read together as a family. There were some that they read on their own. Some were particularly Christian and some were just really sweet and fun. Today I am sharing some of my favorite books to use with your children during the season of Advent: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever This is probably my favorite. I read this book to my children every year and, even though I knew what was coming, I always started crying when I got to the end. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is about the Herdman siblings who are“the worst kids in the history of the world” and how they took over the annual Christmas pageant. It is hilarious but it is also so profound. I always tried to time reading it so that it ended right before Christmas Eve. That way my children's hearts were really open to the true meaning of Christmas. Twas the Season of Advent: Devotions and Stories for the Season of Advent ‘Twas the Season of Advent is a 25-day devotional containing beautiful devotions and stories for you to read with your children during the season of Advent. The Legend of the Candy Cane Did you know that the candy cane has a Christian meaning? I didn't! This is a sweet board book explaining the importance of the birth of Jesus and the Christian roots of how the candy cane was created. Look!: A Child’s Guide to Advent and Christmas Look! A Child’s Guide to Advent and Christmas presents Advent as a special time for waiting and watching—paying attention—to the ways God comes to us. Told from the point of view of a child, the story weaves together familiar Advent traditions like the Jesse tree and the Advent wreath, biblical stories and characters, and reflections on what these stories call us to do and be. This book reassures children of the presence of God in all times and places and invites them to become part of the holy work of making Christ present in the world. The Jesus Storybook Bible Advent Activity Book: 24 Guided Crafts, plus Games, Songs, Recipes, and More This is a fun guidebook filled with crafts, games, recipes, songs, and activities for every day of Advent. The Jesus Storybook Bible Advent Activity Book highlights the significance of the Nativity and the meaning of God’s most precious gift. Great Joy This is such a sweet story! This is a Newberry winner and tells the story of an organ grinder and a monkey who appear outside of a little girl's window right before Christmas. It's a beautiful story about kindness and generosity. Read and Write: The First Christmas From Glenys Nellist comes Read and Rhyme The First Christmas, a sweet lift-the-flap board book that tells the story of Jesus's birth through interactive rhyming and colorful illustrations. Children will enjoy guessing the hidden rhyme that fits into the story and discovering how Mary and Joseph made it to Bethlehem in time for the birth of baby Jesus. Manger A legend describes how, at midnight on Christmas Eve, all creatures are granted the power of speech for one hour. In this beautifully illustrated book, poets imagine what responses they might offer. The poems represent a diverse group of animals, but all come together with one singular purpose: celebrating the joy of the miraculous event. The Legend of the Poinsettia I love anything by Tomie dePaola. He is a Newberry and Caldecott-winning author. In this beautifully illustrated book, he tells how the poinsettia came to be, through a little girl's unselfish gift to the Christ Child. The Night of Las Posadas Another wonderful book by Tomie dePaola. In this book, he tells of Las Posadas, the Mexican tradition in which Mary and Joseph go from door to door seeking shelter at the inn on Christmas Eve. All is Bright: When God Came Down One Silent Night This is a precious board book where we follow Mary and Joseph in a rhyming story built around the lyrics of Silent Night and we discover how the baby born in the manger changed the world. I hope that these books are a blessing to your family and that they help you bring the season of Advent into your home! Do have a favorite Advent book for children that's not on my list? Comment below. I'd love to know what it is!

The season of Advent is the time when we prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus. It is also a time of great anticipation and joy. Reading special children's books about the season is a great way to prepare their hearts for the coming of Jesus and build a sense of great anticipation. We kept our favorite Advent books in a box in the attic all year long. On the first Sunday of Advent, I would bring the books and place them in a basket in the living room. The kids were always so excited to see these books that had been stored away! They would “ooh” and “aah” and yell, “I remember this one”, or “I love this one” with total delight! Each child would grab their favorite and for the next couple of hours, there would be complete silence as they looked through the books. There were some that we read aloud. There were some that we read together as a family. There were some that they read on their own. Some were particularly Christian and some were just really sweet and fun. Today I am sharing some of my favorite books to use with your children during the season of Advent: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever This is probably my favorite. I read this book to my children every year and, even though I knew what was coming, I always started crying when I got to the end. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is about the Herdman siblings who are“the worst kids in the history of the world” and how they took over the annual Christmas pageant. It is hilarious but it is also so profound. I always tried to time reading it so that it ended right before Christmas Eve. That way my children's hearts were really open to the true meaning of Christmas. Twas the Season of Advent: Devotions and Stories for the Season of Advent ‘Twas the Season of Advent is a 25-day devotional containing beautiful devotions and stories for you to read with your children during the season of Advent. The Legend of the Candy Cane Did you know that the candy cane has a Christian meaning? I didn't! This is a sweet board book explaining the importance of the birth of Jesus and the Christian roots of how the candy cane was created. Look!: A Child’s Guide to Advent and Christmas Look! A Child’s Guide to Advent and Christmas presents Advent as a special time for waiting and watching—paying attention—to the ways God comes to us. Told from the point of view of a child, the story weaves together familiar Advent traditions like the Jesse tree and the Advent wreath, biblical stories and characters, and reflections on what these stories call us to do and be. This book reassures children of the presence of God in all times and places and invites them to become part of the holy work of making Christ present in the world. The Jesus Storybook Bible Advent Activity Book: 24 Guided Crafts, plus Games, Songs, Recipes, and More This is a fun guidebook filled with crafts, games, recipes, songs, and activities for every day of Advent. The Jesus Storybook Bible Advent Activity Book highlights the significance of the Nativity and the meaning of God’s most precious gift. Great Joy This is such a sweet story! This is a Newberry winner and tells the story of an organ grinder and a monkey who appear outside of a little girl's window right before Christmas. It's a beautiful story about kindness and generosity. Read and Write: The First Christmas From Glenys Nellist comes Read and Rhyme The First Christmas, a sweet lift-the-flap board book that tells the story of Jesus's birth through interactive rhyming and colorful illustrations. Children will enjoy guessing the hidden rhyme that fits into the story and discovering how Mary and Joseph made it to Bethlehem in time for the birth of baby Jesus. Manger A legend describes how, at midnight on Christmas Eve, all creatures are granted the power of speech for one hour. In this beautifully illustrated book, poets imagine what responses they might offer. The poems represent a diverse group of animals, but all come together with one singular purpose: celebrating the joy of the miraculous event. The Legend of the Poinsettia I love anything by Tomie dePaola. He is a Newberry and Caldecott-winning author. In this beautifully illustrated book, he tells how the poinsettia came to be, through a little girl's unselfish gift to the Christ Child. The Night of Las Posadas Another wonderful book by Tomie dePaola. In this book, he tells of Las Posadas, the Mexican tradition in which Mary and Joseph go from door to door seeking shelter at the inn on Christmas Eve. All is Bright: When God Came Down One Silent Night This is a precious board book where we follow Mary and Joseph in a rhyming story built around the lyrics of Silent Night and we discover how the baby born in the manger changed the world. I hope that these books are a blessing to your family and that they help you bring the season of Advent into your home! Do have a favorite Advent book for children that's not on my list? Comment below. I'd love to know what it is!