Faith Formation: Devotionals

Journey to Bethlehem

written by Tori Smit
Regional Minister for Faith Formation for
the Synod of Central, Northeastern Ontario and Bermuda

Advent Devotions for Families

November 27 - December 25, 2022

“Divine Nebula: Reimagining Advent” at Unbound: An Interactive Journal of Christian Social Justice
Unbound publishes weekly devotional reflections during the Advent and Christmas seasons that center on social justice.

Where to Find: Unbound website
Denominational Affiliation: Presbyterian Church USA
Cost: free

Members of the Northern Illinois Synod (ELCA) Creation Care Committee created an Advent devotional video series based on Gayle Boss's All Creation Waits. Find Dec. 1's Painted Turtle focus here.

Praying with Icons for Advent with Rowan Williams

From Unbound: An Interactive Journal on Christian Social Justice comes Starry Black Night: A Womanist Advent Devotional.

Words for the Beginning: Advent Reminders for New Seasons
Advent is a season of endings and beginnings. As the calendar year comes to a close, a new church year begins. Christ’s birth ushers us into new ways of living and loving; and yet, the world as we know it spins madly on. This series is filled with blessings, with the words we need to hear again and again as we begin a new season.

Here are some quick highlights:

• The series is shaped around sacred reminders and the words we need to hear as we begin a new chapter.
• The scriptures follow the theme and are not aligned with any lectionary. Download our infographic to see the scriptures included.
• The bundle includes 13 resources (plus free supplements).

Enjoy these samples:

1. Devotional—SAMPLE
2. Words for Worship—SAMPLE
3. Children’s Curriculum—SAMPLE 
4. Poems—SAMPLE 
5. Sermon Planning Guide—SAMPLE 
6. Lessons & Laughter Liturgy—SAMPLE
7. Infographic for the series

These Twelve Days is the ideal resource for families who want to deepen the meaning of Christmas and celebrate the holiday through Epiphany.

Help provide space for soaking in the theological gifts of Christmas with simple prayer cards to use Christmas Eve through Epiphany. The prayers seek to address some of the core theological components of Christ’s birth in a basic and accessible way for all ages.
Download prayer cards pdf with four (4) cards per page here.

Download prayer cards pdf with one (1) card per page here.

Download prayer cards as individual images here.

25 Days of Advent Family Devotional

This family faith formation activity divides the Christmas Narrative leading up to Jesus’ birth into 25 days. As Christmas day gets closer, the story of Jesus’ birth will also grow.

Download in English | Cantonese | Spanish | Bahasa Indonesia | Creole

Family Devotionals:     

• An Illustrated Advent for Families: God with Us
• An Illustrated Advent for Families: Do Not Be Afraid
• An Illustrated Advent for Families: In Light & Darkness
• An Illustrated Advent for Families: Preparing the Way

Devotionals for All Ages

• God with Us: An Illustrated Devotional
• Do Not Be Afraid: An Illustrated Devotional
• In Light & Darkness: An Illustrated Devotional
• Mary's Song Devotional Guide
• Advent Journey Devotional Guide

Featured Advent Films - multiple gorgeous films of varying lengths; share with many ages in worship, study, devotional time, etc.