Trustpilot
How do you prepare for Christmas?
There's so much to do in the lead-up to Christmas. Presents, food, decorating the tree, getting the Christmas cards in the post on time and so much more.
Advent is a time of waiting as well as preparing. In Latin, the word Advent means coming. It's something that isn't here yet, but soon will be.
A good way to prepare your heart and mind in the busyness is to carve out a bit of time alongside an Advent devotional.
Advent books come in a range of themes and a number of readings. From engaging courses for small groups to reflective guides for personal reading, these new study guides help you celebrate the real meaning and joy of Christmas.
So if you're looking for something for your house group to study or a personal read here are a selection of this year's new releases:
Donkey Roads and Camel Treks by Gemma Simmonds (BRF)
Enjoy the winding journey of Advent this season with Gemma Simmonds' set of thoughtful reflections. Gemma looks at a wide range of biblical passages and covers a lot of themes as well as current events that speak into topics such as hope and reconciliation.
Each devotion has a set of questions to reflect on further and a prayer to end.
It's also ideal for group discussion with weekly sessions featuring the week's readings and themes as well as a creative prayer idea to work through as a group.
O Come, Emmanuel by David Hoyle, Esther Prior, Philip North, Chris Russell, Mutharaj Swamy, Jane Williams, Tanya Marlow & Lucy Winkett (Church House Publishing)
With full colour illustrations this visual Advent companion explores the ancient biblical names for the coming Messiah. With 24 reflections from a range of different voices, it guides you through the themes of the The "O Antiphons" of Advent.
Each daily entry includes Scripture, a reflection, a painting for meditation, a challenge, and a prayer to help you prepare your heart.
If you enjoyed the style of 'Women of the Nativity' then this new devotional is ideal for you.
Waiting in Joyful Hope: Daily Reflections for Advent and Christmas 2025-2026 by Mary DeTurris Poust (Liturgical Press)
This popular Catholic Advent guide is designed to help you prepare for Christmas with brief, practical reflections on lectionary readings from the weekday and Sunday masses.
Written by Mary DeTurris Poust, it is designed for those who are only able to grab a few minutes a day but who want to deepen their faith and find peace during the season, making prayer and Scripture a thought-provoking part of everyday life.
Listening to the Music of the Soul by Bishop Guli Francis-Dehqani, The Archbishop of York’s Advent Book for 2025 (SPCK)
Buy Now ▸
Written by Bishop Guli Francis-Dehqani, this devotional is a unique and personal account of her experiences alongside the themes of the Advent season.
Each chapter is paired with a piece of music, offering you a chance to reflect in a different way as you listen.
If you're looking for a challenging read this Advent then this is the book for you.
Who Am I? by Nick Baines (2025 Advent York Course from SPCK)
Buy Now ▸
For those who want to explore life's big questions around identity, this year's Advent York Course from the Bishop of Leeds' Nick Baines is just for you.
Though not explicitly Advent focused it's designed to be worked through in a 4 session group study focusing on the topic of our identity and what that looks like for followers of Jesus today.
Available as 5 x Participant's Guide Pack & Leader's Guide with full access to the additional material to run the course.
With Heart and Soul and Voice by Tim Chester (The Good Book Company)
Buy Now ▸
Tim Chester invites you to pause and ponder the wonder of Jesus' birth with this 24-day devotional.
It's a wonderful way to worship God by exploring the "songs of the incarnation" sung by Mary, Zechariah, the angels, and Simeon. The book features clear and compelling daily reflections that will help you prepare your heart for Christmas with your heart, soul, and voice.
There Shone a Holy Light by Mitchell L. Chase (Christian Focus Publications)
Buy Now ▸
Take a 25-day journey through the Old Testament with Mitchell L. Chase as he reveals how biblical characters and prophecies foreshadowed the coming of Jesus.
This devotional helps you understand the full biblical context of Christmas by showing how figures like Noah and Moses were living prophecies of the Messiah. It's an insightful guide for both personal reflection and family worship.
Journey With Me Through Christmas by Catherine Campbell (IVP)
Buy Now ▸
The Christmas story is full of journeys, and Catherine Campbell's new 25 day Advent devotional invites you to journey with her through the season, preparing your heart for the arrival of Jesus.
It features a blend of biblical retellings, thought-provoking insights, and godly encouragement to guide you to a place of worship and hope in Catherine's much loved warm tone and style.
To see our full range of Advent Study Guides, courses and devotionals, visit the Advent Study Guides store.
