The Joy of Advent, Rebecca & Stephen Grabill, Illustrated by Claire Therese Gray. Paraclete Press (ISBN: 9781640609556), 2024.

Summary: Daily readings, reflections, activities guiding families to create meaningful Advent and Christmastide traditions.

For many of us, our Christmas celebrations may involve some Christmas music, lighting Advent candles, Christmas Eve and Day festivities…and then the after Christmas sales. Historically, the church’s celebration has been far richer beginning the fourth Sunday before Christmas. This begins the season of Advent, preparation for our Lord’s coming. Then on Christmas Eve and Day, Advent gives way to Christmastide, twelve days of celebration that concludes with the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6, celebrating the coming of the Magi.

Rebecca and Stephen Graybill felt their own Advent and Christmastide celebrations lacking. Over the years. they developed family practices and traditions, which they have gathered into The Joy of Advent, delightfully illustrated by Claire Therese Gray. The book consists of daily readings reflections, and resources for family celebrations.

Beginning on December 1, the book offers daily resources through Epiphany. In addition, when special feast days coincide, they provide special readings and delightful activities to celebrate. For example, on St. Nicholas Day, (December 6), they include background on Saint Nicholas. Then they offer instructions on the tradition of the shoes, filling up shoes from each family member with treats. Also, they introduce us to St. Nicholas letters.

One activity that runs through each day is decorating a Jesse Tree. The Jesse Tree is inspired by the prophecy of Isaiah 11:1 about the shoot that will grow from the stump of Jesse. It can be any small tree on which you can hang hand made or drawn ornaments of images from the day’s reading. Printable ornaments are also available at their website: https://www.joyofadvent.com/.

For each day, a scripture and personal reflection are provided on the first page, suitable for teens and adults. Following this. the second page offers a focus verse and description of the Jesse Tree symbol. With young children, this may be all you do. Then the third page offers a song (you might pull up the video on YouTube ahead), a family reflection, and several discussion questions. Finally, the fourth page offers a prayer appropriate to the reading of the day.

Over the course of the readings, we trace the scarlet thread of Christ’s redemptive work through scripture. Instead of just a mish-mash of Bible stories, we get to walk through the great story of God’s saving work.

I was impressed with the diversity of feast day activities that included recipes, such as Moravian Spritz cookies, and a variety of crafts. For St. Stephen’s Day, families assemble care packages for neighbors, shut-ins, and even college students!

If you want to enrich your observance of Advent and Christmastide, The Joy of Advent is a great resource. Printed on quality paper, graphically attractive, and substantively written, this may serve you for many years. In addition, it is flexible for use by families of all ages and stages. Advent begins in just over a month. So this is a good time to order the book and discover for yourself the joy of Advent.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for review.