This Advent season, we invite you to continue (or begin) personal spiritual practices by spending fifteen minutes a day with God in scripture, prayer, and solitude. We are encouraging everyone to use a journal for reflection during their time alone this fall and believe it is a practice that can help you reflect and remember what you heard each day.

Use this guide for your daily reading and enrich your time with recommended music and books.

SPENDING TIME ALONE WITH GOD

• BREATHE

Slow down with deep and steady breaths, and/or listen to a song on the playlist. (Romans 12:1, Psalm 46:10, 27:4)

• READ

Read a passage from this week’s selection. What word or phrase are you drawn to?

• LISTEN

Spend a few minutes in silence listening to what God may be telling you.

• JOURNAL

Be Creative. If you are writing, then write as little or as much as you’d like, but also feel free to draw, paint or collage.

Be Honest. As you journal, use that time to be aware of your feelings while resisting the temptation to declare them good or bad. Share your true thoughts. Embrace freedom and grace.

Be Free. See God as your heavenly parent who receives your writing and/or art with great joy and delight.

Week of November 28

• Luke 21:25-36
• Revelation 11:15b
• Psalm 25:1-6
• Isaiah 7:14; 42:1-4
• Jeremiah 33:14-16

Week of December 5

• Luke 3:7–18
• Philippians 4:4-7
• Colossians 1:15-20
• Isaiah 12:2-6
• Zephaniah 3:14-20

Week of December 12

• Luke 1:39-55
• Hebrews 10:5-10
• Psalm 80:1-7
• Micah 5:2-5a

Week of December 19

• John 3:16-17
• 1 John 4:7-12
• Philippians 1:3-11
• Luke 1:68-79
• Deuteronomy 7:9

December 24

• Luke 2:1-20 
• Hebrews 1:1-4
• Titus 2:11-14
• Psalm 96
• Isaiah 9:2-7

Week of December 26

• Luke 2:41-52
• Colossians 3:12-17
• Psalm 148
• 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26

This Advent season, we invite you to enter into the Gospel story through music. 

These songs tell the story of God’s deep, amazing love for this world and the precious gift of his son, Jesus Christ. These songs take us from the wonder and celebration of the manger to the sacrifice and humility of the cross, with the promise that Emmanuel, God with us, who came to earth years ago as a baby is present with us today, through his Spirit. We encourage you to use these songs in your personal time with God, reading the lyrics online as you listen or printing them out as you meditate on these words and use them as a prayer. 

• O Come, O Come Emmanuel - Carmen Justice
• O Come, All Ye Faithful - Sovereign Grace Music
• Light of the World - Lauren Daigle
• Little Drummer Boy - Johnnyswim
• Lord Remind Me - Jon Guerra, Praytell
• Sing We the Song of Emmanuel - Matt Boswell, Matt Papa
• Receive Him - Eliza King
• Silent Night (Heavenly Peace) - We the Kingdom, Dante Bowe, Maverick City Music
• At Last, the King - The Gray Havens
• Light of the World (Sing Hallelujah) - We the Kingdom
• Hallelujah, Christ Is Born - Caroline Cobb
• Who Is This - Sovereign Grace Music
• Come Adore the Humble King - Matt Boswell, Matt Papa
• God With Us - All Sons & Daughters
• Oh Holy Night - Maverick City Music, Lizzie Morgan
• Hope Is Alive - Ellie Holcomb
• The First Noel (Born Is the King) - Sovereign Grace Music
• Joy to the World (Joyful Joyful) - Phil Wickham
• He Shall Reign Forevermore - Matt Maher
• Emmanuel God With Us - Chris Tomlin
• Messiah - Francesca Battistelli
• Joy! He Shall Reign - Big Daddy Weave
• Jesus at the Center / All Hail King Jesus - Maverick City Music, Naomi Raine, Marryanne J. George