Dwell: Celebrating the Arrival of Advent at Home

by Dexterity Books Editorial

With cozy images and biblical truths, this full-color Advent gift book ushers in the arrival of this sacred holiday season, guiding readers in welcoming Christ into every space of the home. Where family and friends coexist, worship, and play, there too is room for Christ to dwell. In Celebrate the Arrival of Advent at Home, readers are invited to spend five weeks preparing for Christmas. Each of the five weeks moves through the rooms of a home—the dining room, living room, kitchen, children’s space, and Christmas space—with five days of entries for each week. These daily readings will provide readers and homemakers with biblical truths, memorable activities, and images that are both cozy and inviting, guiding families through the Advent season. The themes of each week follow the timeline of Christ’s arrival to center readers’ thoughts on the sacredness and joy of the Anticipation Arrival Awakening Anointing Adoration These themes will help to guide thoughts, conversation, and celebration, as readers prepare for the Messiah’s arrival and begin a new Christmas tradition.

Genres: Inspirational, Christmas

100 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 20, 2020

Reviews

[Cara BookShelfMomma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book that Emphasize the meaning behind Christmas. It talked about different aspects of the Christmas story in ways that you could Teach children and adults. There are fun activities for the family. It goes through each part of your home and Connects those areas with the story of Christmas. I highly recommend this book to those who want to really focus on non-material things at Christmas time.

[Momma Leighellen’s Book Nook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever heard of Advent?

Advent is the christian season that counts down the four weeks leading up to Christmas. Each week has a ‘theme” like Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. Years ago I made a homemade advent calendar and in our family, we have always tried to celebrate each day by doing something for others in our community. In the past, I’ve tried to do advent books to give me some inspiration, but they are always way too impractical or detail oriented than this basic Momma is willing to do.

But this year, Dexterity Books sent me their new book, Dwell: Celebrating the Arrival of Advent in the Home. Where was this book when my kiddos were little?! This wonderful little book provides four weeks of SUPER simple daily activities to help count down the days until Christmas. I loved that many could easily be done over the dinner table. And most required only simple items you already have around the house.

Here are a few ideas I found that were easy + fun:
- make a gratitude list
- Sing O Holy Night together
- Create a banner out of paper + string
- Make hot cocoa
- Anoint each other with oil


My favorite part is each activity sparks conversations on all the ways we can remember why we celebrate Christmas to begin with. It’s not about presents and lights and shopping and parties. It’s about relationship and thanksgiving and blessing. I totally recommend this for any family looking to add a little purpose into their holiday season without creating more work.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I used this book as my source of Advent reflections this year and I was mildly disappointed. The book is beautiful but the activities are really for families with children. My bigger beef with this book is that the author takes the stance that the prophesies of the Old Testament are all about Jesus. My feeling is that although they can be applied to Jesus they also refer to the return from exile for the Jewish people. I look for a little more Biblical knowledge in my inspirational readings than I found here.

[R.A. Grando · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely wonderful! It is an easy, well-thought-out guide to celebrating Advent in the home and with your family. Colorful pictures adorn the pages bringing images of joy and the text is easy to read and understand. The suggested activities bring Advent into the heart of the home, inviting all family members to participate. It harkens back to a time of reverence and togetherness, centering the spirit of Advent into the home in a variety of ways. Highly recommend!!

[Julie H · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this as a kindle book, it would love to see the beauty of this book in it's print format. The suggestions for activities with families were a little "printrest mom" for me but many of them could be scaled back and toned down to be realistic. I love the current trend to focus on advent and preparing for the birth of Jesus.

[BluMoon Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is very beautiful but not as it is advertised online. I wish it included more detailed activities, crafts, and recipes to go with each advent day versus one page. Otherwise the writing it clear and nice.

[Bethany Stewart · Rating 1 out of 5]

A very fluffy approach to advent.

[Brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warm and inviting Advent guide. The pictures are beautiful, and the lessons are memorable. This is a wonderful companion to usher in the season and celebration of Advent. Themes explored are anticipation, arrival, awakening, anointing, and adoration. Every major room in the home is incorporated to truly establish a meaningful, integrative approach for everyone, of all ages. I love the activities as well as the images. A guide to be returned to on a regular basis.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own, freely given.