Moments of meditation, prayer, and devotional reading are crucial to faith development in all seasons. Advent, however, is a prime season for deepening one’s devotional life. And if you opt to go “paperless,” there are many excellent Advent devotional resources available online.
During my high school years, the student ministry at my home church challenged us to begin the practice of a daily “quiet time.” Since that time, my personal devotional time has been a primary catalyst for spiritual growth and direction.
Across the years, however, that seedling notion of a “quiet time” has emerged into an early morning ritual which centers on inspirational reading, prayer, and reflection. And the resources I utilize are highly diverse, ranging from testimonial to liturgical.
A couple of years ago I went “paperless” in my devotional time choosing to utilize online Bible apps and a variety of e-resources for my devotional time. Online resources are especially helpful during holiday travels because the resources can be accessed on any internet computer or smart device including laptops, tablets, and cell phones. Going paperless also keeps my desktop a lot less cluttered whether I am at home or in my office.
Most online devotional sites provide complimentary access, and the costs are covered through donations or advertising revenue. And maybe most importantly, like any electronic communication, e-devotionals save paper and are friendly to the environment.
As I began preparing for Advent this year, I searched for good resources to share with my congregation and to use in my own personal devotional time. I wanted to find resources that are easily accessible, theologically sound, and culturally relevant.
Like other online devotional resources, Advent E-Devotions may be posted by churches, missional organizations, or individuals. A few of the devotional sites invite you to register your email address and they will send a daily devotional directly to your inbox. Other sites have corresponding “apps” that you can download making access easier on your mobile devices. And all online sites can be bookmarked or added to your favorites list for ease of access.
Here are a few examples of online Advent devotional options that you might find helpful:
Local churches often provide links to their Advent Devotional Booklets. For example, the Advent Guide at my church is compiled by our Children’s Ministry and is posted at http://www.fbcp.org/Uploaded/14-Advent-Book.pdf. These booklets can usually be accessed as a PDF file, or downloaded to a tablet, Kindle, or E-reader.
D365.org is sponsored by Passport Camps and provides a daily Advent devotional that is appropriate for students or adults.
Buckner International is a faith-based social service organization based in Dallas that serves hundreds of thousands of people each year across the United States and around the globe. Their Advent guide, written by assorted authors, can be downloaded at http://www.buckner.org/adventguide/.
The Denison Forum on Truth and Culture provides multiple resources to equip people to “change the culture for the kingdom.” The DFTC web site offers inspirational Advent devotions that are written by Janet Denison at http://www.denisonforum.org/store/download/0-/17-advent-devotional.
Sacred Space is an online prayer site provided by the Irish Jesuits. They provide a guided Advent devotional series and an Advent Retreat option at www.sacredspace.ie.
Whether you are new to the practice of a daily devotional experience or a long time practitioner, you may find that a good Advent E-Devotion may enrich your spiritual preparation for Christmas, and ultimately deepen your celebration of the birth of the Christ.