Soteria Staff Shares

Treasured traditions and Advent resources that shaped family celebrations over the years

We asked our staff to share a treasured tradition or Advent resource that has shaped their family celebrations over the years. This month’s Staff Shares is a collection of those simple yet meaningful practices that help us slow down and remember the true joy of Christmas.

Our prayer is that these ideas encourage you, spark fresh joy, and help you point your home and heart to Christ this season. May the anticipation of our coming King fill your Christmas with wonder and worship!

Cody Crigger

Executive Pastor

When our children were little, I became deeply interested in Advent and the traditions leading up to Christmas. As I studied its theology and meaning, we began incorporating Advent both at church and in our home. We enjoyed lighting the candles, reading Scripture, singing carols, and doing simple family activities. Some weeks we decorated cookies or made cards for friends and family. Other times we delivered Christmas goodies to our neighbors or drove around to see Christmas lights while drinking hot chocolate. These moments became more than just traditions for our family. They were gospel opportunities to invest in our children. We’re grateful for the memories and the Christ-centered focus Advent has brought to our family.

Kim Leichty

Children’s Ministries Director

CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN PRAYER CHAIN –A twist on the countdown to Christmas in a Christ-centered way!

Cut out 24 strips of red and green construction paper. On each strip, write the name of a family member, friend, missionary, or ministry that you’d like to pray for. Then, loop and staple the strips together to create a cheerful Christmas garland to hang somewhere in your home! Each day in December, take turns removing one strip. As a family, say a special prayer for the person or ministry written on it. By Christmas, you’ll have prayed for 24 people, and your family will have spent the season lifting others in prayer and pointing your family toward Christ during this season.

Ashley Murphy

Ministry Assistant

TO BETHLEHEM

One of our favorite family traditions during Advent is playing a board game called To Bethlehem by Todd Wilson. It’s a lighthearted game where everyone—kids and adults alike—journeys toward Bethlehem together, sharing stories about Christmases past and reflecting on what the season truly means. Our girls especially love the challenges; they almost always have us laughing until our sides hurt! It’s become such a fun reminder that, while our lives can get busy this time of year, the most meaningful moments are often the ones spent laughing and connecting as a family while focusing on the joy of Christ’s birth.

Tracie Keller

Children’s Ministry Assistant

JOTHAM OF JERICHO

We love the books by Arnold Ytreeide and have read through them all during Advent over the years. Our family’s favorite is Jotham’s Journey and Tabitha’s Travels!

Zach Dietrich

Theology & Education Pastor

JOTHAM OF JERICHO
LET HEAVEN AND NATURE SING
PAUL ZACH CHRISTMAS HYMNS
ADVENT CALENDAR ESCAPE ROOM

A longtime tradition in our home is reading one of Arnold Ytreeide’s Advent stories. Personally, my favorite Advent book lately was Hannah Anderson’s Let Heaven and Nature Sing. I’m looking forward to putting Paul Zach’s Christmas Hymns album back in my playlist. Last year, our family started an Advent calendar Escape Room. I confess that we didn’t finish it, so we’ll try again this year.

Find these Advent resources (and more!) in the Soteria Bookstore. Stop in this Sunday and grab something that points your family’s hearts to Christ this Advent Season.

Londa Crigger

Communications Lead

THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER

One of my favorite traditions with our kids has been reading The Best Christmas Pageant Ever together. We all love those wild and unpredictable Herdman kids! Year after year, their chaotic shenanigans and the surprising moments of tenderness remind us to look at the birth of Christ with fresh eyes.

This story is a hilarious and heartwarming read that grows our empathy and points us to the beauty of grace. (A little parental discretion is advised! Those Herdman kids don’t always have the most appropriate vocabulary! Use this as a teaching moment!) If you’re looking for a read-aloud that will make your kids laugh and feel more compassion for “the least of these,” this one’s a treasure.

Josh Smith

Pastor of Growth Groups

ADVENT WREATH
ADVENT BOX

One of the gifts of living somewhere with four seasons is that the changing weather isn’t just a date on the calendar—you can feel it. Eggnog and pumpkin spice show up everywhere. Cinnamon hand soaps and scented pinecones make the house smell like fall. Flannels and leather boots come out of hiding.

In a similar way, the church calendar has its own seasons. Nowhere is this more obvious than during Advent. And just like with the changing weather, making family worship during Advent tangible and tactile helps make it fun and memorable.

In our home, we use two simple tools during Advent: an Advent wreath (with candles) and an Advent box. While we read passages about Christ’s first and second comings, sing a Christmas hymn, and pray together, these elements give our kids something to see, touch, and anticipate.