Advent Devotionals

It's easy to get lost in the bustle of Christmas shopping and holiday parties, losing sight of God. Advent and Christmas Wisdom from St. Francis of Assisi gives readers a momentary cease in the chaos, allowing daily meditation. It is essential in today's postmodern culture to remember the true purpose of Advent--the preparation for and celebration of the coming of Jesus.

Each day's selection offers a new insight from one of the most beloved saints, St. Francis of Assisi. St. Francis serves as an appropriate model of virtue during the time of year when it is easy to become caught up in the materialized aspects of the holiday. Through his words, we are reminded of the simplicity in poverty, the reverence of God's word, of showing gratitude, and practicing forgiveness. Along with the words of St. Francis are daily Scripture readings and prayers that mirror his philosophy. After reflecting, readers will find an Advent action--something simple they can do to keep the words and prayers alive with them throughout the day.

Christians looking for a way to energize their holiday practices will cherish this guide to refocusing on the true "reason for the season," the birth of Christ.

Paperback

Advent and Christmas with the Saints offers spiritual sustenance from those holy men and women whom we honor because of their close spiritual relationship with God. Readers walk day-by-day with the saints, recalling the Scriptures they read, meditating on the thoughts they had, praying as they might have prayed, and talking openly with God. Christians looking for a way to re-spiritualize their Christmas practices, prayer groups, small-faith communities, Bible study classes, teachers, clergy, and religious will cherish this guide to refocusing on the "reason for the season," the birth of the Messiah.

Anchor your busy Advent in God!

Advent is a time of preparation and anticipation, but as we rush from place to place getting done what we need to for Christmastime our Advent is often overlooked.

This weekly Advent meditation will give you just enough to pause each week and realign your Advent towards God--no matter how busy your Christmastime gets! Regular prayer and reflection will help you to deepen your prayer life and enter more fully into the God's love and mystery.

This pamphlet includes:

2025 WINNER Christian Book Awards
2025 FINALIST Next Generation Indie Book Awards (Best Children's Book Illustrations)
2023 & 2024 ECPA Christmas Bestseller

Discover the Wonders of Advent Through the Eyes of Nature

From bestselling author Gayle Boss comes a breathtaking picture book that invites children to journey through Advent alongside 24 extraordinary woodland animals. Beautifully illustrated by award-winning artist Sharon Spitz, All Creation Waits: The Advent Mystery of New Beginnings captivates young readers with lyrical storytelling and radiant watercolors that bring the magic of winter's creatures to life.

Each day of Advent reveals a new animal's astonishing adaptation to the dark and cold--Wood Frog becomes a frog-shaped cube of ice, Painted Turtle sleeps underwater without breathing, and Black Bear hibernates in perfect stillness. With each tale, children hear the gentle refrain: The dark is not an end. It's a door. It's the way a new beginning comes.

This stunning book encourages families to slow down and savor the beauty of reflective waiting during the often chaotic holiday season. Readers will be enchanted by:

All Creation Waits culminates in the birth of the Christ Child, the ultimate sign of hope and renewal, making it an inspiring and meaningful Advent companion for children and families alike.

Perfect for bedtime reading, classroom discussions, or family traditions, this exquisite book will become a cherished part of your holiday season for years to come.

Give the gift of wonder, reflection, and nature's wisdom this Advent--share All Creation Waits with your loved ones today!

Learn more about All Creation Waits--Children's Edition and find free resources at AllCreationWaits.com
Watch the Book Trailer HERE!
Visit Illustrator Sharon Spitz's online galleryHERE!

Celebrating Advent with the Jesse Tree 978-0-89942-495-8

Celebrating Advent with the Jesse Tree is an ideal gift for a child's First Holy Communion.
The St. Joseph Picture Books Series is a magnificent series of religious books for children, superbly illustrated in full color and simply written, that will help all children to better understand the Catholic Faith. These books are ideal for home or school.

The St. Joseph Picture Books Series is intended to help teach the basics of the Catholic Faith to children in an enjoyable manner. The books in the Series deal with one or more of the following themes: (1) the teachings of the Church, (2) the Christian way of life, and (3) our Catholic worship (including both public and private prayers and devotions). Each book also carries the Imprimatur, assuring that the contents are in line with Church teaching.
Among the features of this book are:

One of 101 titles in the St. Joseph Picture Book Series, this book by popular author Rev. Jude Winkler, OFM. Conv. provides children with an explanation of the liturgical season of Advent and the Jesse Tree. Advent is a special time in the Catholic Church when we prepare for Christmas and the coming of Jesus. The word "Advent" means "coming," and during this season, we look forward to celebrating the birth of Jesus, who brings us hope, peace, joy, and love. Advent lasts for four weeks, and each week, we light a candle on the Advent wreath, a circle of evergreen branches. Each candle represents something important: hope, love, joy, and peace.
One way to learn about Jesus' family and the story of God's people during Advent is by making a Jesse Tree. The Jesse Tree is like a family tree that shows Jesus' ancestors and other important people from the Bible. Every day, we add a new ornament to the tree. Each ornament represents a person, like Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and King David, or a symbol of their story, like an apple, an ark, or a star.
As we add each ornament, we learn about the story of God's love and how He guided His people throughout history. This helps us see how everything in the Bible leads up to the birth of Jesus. The Jesse Tree helps children connect to these stories in a fun way, making Advent a time of learning and excitement as we count down to Christmas and celebrate Jesus, the greatest gift of all.

Topics and Biblical figures covered in this title include:

Throughout the season of Advent, we often find ourselves longing for a moment of peace or yearning for a deeper connection with the Lord. In his new book, Hope and Light for Advent, popular author and spiritual mentor Fr. Mark Thibodeaux offers gentle guidance and thoughtful insights that will help you experience God's life-giving gifts of hope, love, and light.

This series of Advent reflections and prayers will help you make room for God to work in your life, drawing you into the beauty of waiting with joyful hope. Step out into the place of hope, knowing the light of Christ will shine brightly!

Here's a treasure trove of exciting ideas that will enable your family to focus anew on preparing for the holy time of Advent and Christmas! With a fresh, lively set of suggestions that will attract young and old alike, Joy to the World will help lay the foundation for long-lasting family memories.

Joy to the World takes a three-pronged approach to the season:

The Advent calendar, where daily activities are organized into four categories of Service, Spiritual Growth, "Homebody," and Pure Fun

The Evening Ritual, incorporating the Advent wreath and the Jesse tree, and featuring simplified Scriptures that young children can readily understand

The "Good Deeds Manger," which puts the family's focus on preparing their hearts for the coming of Christ

• paperback
• 102 pages
• full-color original artwork
• matte lamination cover