2020 Advent Challenge

As I mentioned in my previous post, Advent is different this year. But different isn’t necessarily a bad thing. As I was thinking about ways believers might approach the season, I decided to create my own Advent calendar: challenges to put me in a right mind and a right heart for the season.

My criteria for the challenges was as follows:

• In general, they needed to bring the participant closer to Christ or cultivate a Christlike heart and spirit.
• They needed to be low-cost and practical for people without a lot of money.
• Many of them should be doable even for those with limited mobility or who might be ill this season.
• Advent should be a time of giving and serving in God’s love rather than pleasing ourselves (although in fairness, I think a lot of the challenges will be enjoyable!)

Although the liturgical season of Advent lasts this year from November 29-December 24, I am aware that many calculate Advent from December 1-December 24. So the 2020 Advent Challenge doesn’t adhere to the calendar per se: it simply contains 24 different practices you might engage in during the season. Do a couple in one day, stretch one out for several days: the challenge is as flexible as you would like it to be.

The challenge is available here as a free .pdf:

I’d love to hear how the challenge goes for you, if you decide to try it, so please leave me a comment and let me know! Above all, I am praying for all of you a safe and blessed Advent that brings you closer to God.