Oftentimes it is at the New Year that we stretch ourselves to start some new healthy habits. As disciples of Jesus we find ourselves making resolutions and determinations to start some new godly habits. Sometimes we pledge to put off some habit or practice that we know is harmful and displeasing to our Father.
Let me encourage you to take this Advent season to start a new practice of daily Bible readings in your home. If possible, each day of the Christmas season spend a little time reading God’s Word and reflecting on it. Let me point you to two easy tools to help you.
I will be using John Piper’s The Dawning of Indestructible Joy this Christmas. Last year we used John Piper’s previous Advent devotional and found it encouraging to us. We don’t have small children in our home, so we needed something different than that which we use for children, and yet something that could be done in a reasonable time frame. Piper’s Advent devotionals fit the bill. We have several copies available on the info table. If you read from an electronic device of some kind, you can get this devotional for free. You can hardly beat that price!
Many of you have small children and you want to get them thinking about the life of Christ. Our church has produced something just for you: the Jesse Tree devotional. Perhaps you’ve done the legwork in past years to create a “Jesse Tree” whereby your family can have an activity for the days of Advent. The Piper devotional will be over the heads of many of your younger children, and doesn’t include an activity to keep their interest (adding something to the tree!). Our children used to enjoy lighting the Advent wreath for our devotionals, which was about the only time we let them play with fire in our homes! That kept them engaged. The Jesse Tree may be just what you are looking for. There is an ample supply of these devotionals preprinted on our info table. This resource is also available as a free download on our website.
Don’t wait to get started! Don’t worry about starting late if you are just now thinking about this option. There is plenty of time to start or restart a practice of spiritual renewal between now and Christmas. This might jumpstart you into the New Year. If you get going and are wondering about something for your family with young children, please feel free to get in touch with Cara Kidd for some ideas for the coming year. If you don’t need child-oriented family devotions, either Tag or I am glad to give you some suggestions for family reading.
Just get started!
In Him,
Don