As the year tilts toward winter, Advent can begin to feel somewhat of a quick run of four Sundays, weighed down with lists: cards to send, menus to plan, shopping to do, and crafts to attempt.
However, in some of the older, Celtic streams of the Church, Advent begins much earlier, on the 15th of November, and stretches quietly for forty days, like a winter twin to Lent. It isn’t a sprint toward Christmas, but a long, slow walk in the half-light; a season where we are allowed to admit, “I’m tired, I don’t have everything together, and I’m still turning my face toward the Light.”
If you recognise yourself there, I have a gift for you.
When December feels like too much
Many of us see Advent as a “spiritual productivity project.” Read the right things, do the right activities with the children, make memories, keep the house reasonably tidy, somehow also be reflective, and arrive at Christmas morning feeling suitably holy and composed.
Reality looks a little different, doesn’t it?
- Crumbs on the kitchen floor and a fine layer of glitter covering the mantlepiece.
- Children who are overwhelmed by all the “special” things.
- A mind that feels noisy even when the house is quiet.
- A heart that loves Jesus and yet is secretly relieved when it’s all over.
What if, instead of adding one more “big” devotional to work through, you had something so small you could tuck it in your pocket? Something that didn’t demand you keep up, but quietly walked with you through your days as they actually are?
A Celtic Advent Calendar for the Hope-Full
This year I’ve created a free little resource called:
Celtic Advent: a gentle Advent companion
A Celtic Advent calendar for the hope-full
one scripture, one tiny act, one small encouragement each day.
It begins on the 15th of November, following the older Celtic pattern of a forty-day Advent, and runs right through to Christmas Eve.
It’s not a craft book, or a full family curriculum (though you may well share pieces with your children if you wish). It is, quite simply, a quiet companion for your own heart.
Each day you’ll find:
- One short scripture, chosen for this long, dark turning of the year.
- One tiny faith-or-nature-based act – the kind you can do while the kettle boils or as you stand at the back door.
- One small word of encouragement, written especially for women who are trying to walk slowly toward the Light in the middle of ordinary life.
That’s it.
No preparation. No guilt if you miss a day (or five).
These verses, tiny acts, and quiet encouragements are not another list to keep up with, but instead, small candles to add light to your days, as you are able. For your ordinary winter days as you walk slowly toward the Light.
Why “Celtic” Advent?
The Celtic Christian tradition has always seemed to understand something many of us are only rediscovering: that God speaks in scripture, yes, but also in hedgerows and at the kitchen sink, in winter skies, and weary bodies. The Celtic imagination holds together field and font, hearth and altar, and sees Christ moving among them all.
So throughout this little calendar you’ll find invitations that are not grand gestures, instead, they are small doorways between your life and God’s presence. And Celtic Advent, with its long, gentle stretch of days, gives us room to walk through those doorways over and over..
Not another thing to do
Please understand, this is not another thing to “keep up with.”
If you miss a day, you have not broken Advent.
If you only manage one tiny act all week, it still counts.
Think of this resource not as a challenge, but as a basket of small mercies. They’ll be waiting whenever you need one, whether that’s daily, or in the odd quiet moment that surprises you.
How to get your copy
Head here: Celtic Advent: A Gentle Advent Companion to download completely free.
From my home to yours,
Oh Lynn. You can’t know how many prayers this email and the devotional has answered. Thank you, truly thankyou! Wishing you every blessing!
Thank you so much! This is wonderful and just what I needed!
i only wish the verses would have been written out for each day. Instead of being an easy open and go, it now feels like yet another thing to do. Glad it was free, I would have been so disappointed if I had paid for a list of 40 Bible verses that I have to go and look up.
This is great. Thank you so much!