Illustrator Jill Howarth’s cheerful artwork and authors Leslie Calhoun, Bunmi Ishola and Jamie Lapeyrolerie’s celebrative resources for Advent were created with the uniqueness of families in mind. They explain, “Since all families are different, you’ll find multiple options for customizing your family’s experience, whether with the reflection questions, the application activities, or even the recipes. You know your family best, so feel free to adapt the content to what suits you!”
Introductory notes include the historical background of Advent, the different ways the season is celebrated in various denominations and a focus on unity as Christians celebrate Jesus’s coming to earth as a baby, as well as anticipate his second coming when he will make all things new.
The authors focus each of the four weeks of Advent on the traditional themes of hope, faith, joy and peace. Each week includes a Scripture reading, a devotion, reflection questions, a prayer, ways to practice each of the themes, two games geared to children of different ages, Advent fun facts, a recipe, and ways to live in hope, faith, joy and peace in one’s self, in one’s family and in the community.
The book concludes with pages on which families can journal about their traditions and the memories they make from year to year. Recommended as an excellent addition to any family’s devotional library and Advent resources. (Ink & Willow)
About the Author
Sonya VanderVeen Feddema is a freelance writer and a member of Covenant CRC in St. Catharines, Ontario.