1 December
Follow … through Advent
Read Isaiah 40.3
In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord,
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Today's activity
Make a place at home where you will think about Advent. Put your Advent calendar, candle or wreath in it.
Daily reflections
Listen to our daily Advent and Christmas reflections with the free #FollowTheStar app.
2 December
Follow … with Abraham and Sarah
Read Genesis 12.1
Now the Lord said to Abram, 'Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land I will show you.'
Today's activity
Tonight (or on the next clear night!) spend some time outside looking up at the stars.
Daily reflections
Listen to our daily Advent and Christmas reflections with the free #FollowTheStar app.
3 December
Follow … peacefully
Read Psalm 62.5
For God alone my soul waits in silence,
for my hope is from him.
Today's activity
Find a quiet space. Sit in silence and darkness for a few minutes. What does it feel like?
Daily reflections
Listen to our daily Advent and Christmas reflections with the free #FollowTheStar app.
4 December
Follow … with the Prophet Isaiah
Read Isaiah 42.1
Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations.
Today's activity
What do you wish for the world? Write a prayer saying what you hope for.
Daily reflections
Listen to our daily Advent and Christmas reflections with the free #FollowTheStar app.
5 December
Follow … hopefully
Read Song of Solomon 2.12
The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtle-dove is heard in our land.
Today's activity
Plant some bulbs inside or outside, ready for the Spring.
Daily reflections
Listen to our daily Advent and Christmas reflections with the free #FollowTheStar app.
6 December
Follow … and give
Read 2 Corinthians 8.9
For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.
Today's activity
Can you donate some money, unwanted items or time to a charity working with those in need?
Daily reflections
Listen to our daily Advent and Christmas reflections with the free #FollowTheStar app.
7 December
Follow … with Jesse
Read Isaiah 11.1-2
A shoot shall come out of the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the Lord will rest upon him …
Today's activity
Search online for 'Jesse Tree' images in paintings and stained glass. Are there any in churches or cathedrals near you?
Daily reflections
Listen to our daily Advent and Christmas reflections with the free #FollowTheStar app.
8 December
Follow … calmly
Read Luke 10.41-42
Jesus said, 'Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing.'
Today's activity
Think of someone who is very busy at this time of year, Offer to do something for them.
Daily reflections
Listen to our daily Advent and Christmas reflections with the free #FollowTheStar app.
9 December
Follow … and give thanks
Read Psalm 9.1
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
Today's activity
Think back over the last year: what made you most happy? Thank God for this.
Daily reflections
Listen to our daily Advent and Christmas reflections with the free #FollowTheStar app.
10 December
Follow … with creation
Read Psalm 139.14
I will praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well.
Today's activity
Go for a walk and look for natural beauty around you - holly, pine cones, fir trees. Take time to notice the textures and colours.
Daily reflections
Listen to our daily Advent and Christmas reflections with the free #FollowTheStar app.
11 December
Follow … with John the Baptist
Read Mark 2.2-3
See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you … The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight" …'
Today's activity
Reflect on how you have treated others this week. Have you sometimes put what you wanted ahead of doing what was best for everyone?
Daily reflections
Listen to our daily Advent and Christmas reflections with the free #FollowTheStar app.
12 December
Follow … and travel light
Read c
All who believed were together … they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need.
Today's activity
Clear out a room, a cupboard or a shelf - give away as much of it as you can.
Daily reflections
Listen to our daily Advent and Christmas reflections with the free #FollowTheStar app.
13 December
Follow … out of darkness
Read John 1.5
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
Today's activity
Watch a candle flame. What colours can you see? What does it make you feel like?
Daily reflections
Listen to our daily Advent and Christmas reflections with the free #FollowTheStar app.
14 December
Follow … with Elizabeth
Read Luke 1.39-40
Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country … When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb.
Today's activity
Think of someone you know who has recently had some good news. Let them know how pleased you are for them.
Daily reflections
Listen to our daily Advent and Christmas reflections with the free #FollowTheStar app.
15 December
Follow … gratefully
Read Ephesians 1.16
I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers.
Today's activity
Make or buy some Christmas biscuits (or mince pies) and give them to someone to say thank you for who they are.
Why not try Martha Collison's Follow the Star biscuits? Watch her making them in this video.
Daily reflections
Listen to our daily Advent and Christmas reflections with the free #FollowTheStar app.
16 December
Follow … with Zechariah
Read Luke 1.78
By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us …'
Today's activity
Watch out for the moment the sun rises today (or over the weekend). What different colours do you see before and after dawn?
Daily reflections
Listen to our daily Advent and Christmas reflections with the free #FollowTheStar app.
17 December
Follow … slowly
Read Matthew 7.11
If you then … know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
Today's activity
Take time out to do something really nice that you have wanted to do for a long time.
Daily reflections
Listen to our daily Advent and Christmas reflections with the free #FollowTheStar app.
18 December
Follow ... with Mary
Read Luke 2.19
But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.
Today's activity
Write a poem - or draw a picture - that says something about what Christmas means to you.
Daily reflections
Listen to our daily Advent and Christmas reflections with the free #FollowTheStar app.
19 December
Follow … with those in need
Read Proverbs 22.9
Those who are generous are blessed, for they share their bread with the poor.
Today's activity
If you can, buy some food and give it to your local food bank.
Daily reflections
Listen to our daily Advent and Christmas reflections with the free #FollowTheStar app.
20 December
Follow … thoughtfully
Read 1 Corinthians 1.4
I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus.
Today's activity
Think of someone who has been important to you this year. Tell them in a Christmas card or message why they mean so much to you.
Daily reflections
Listen to our daily Advent and Christmas reflections with the free #FollowTheStar app.
21 December
Follow … with Joseph
Read Matthew 1.20
An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid …’
Today's activity
Think of someone who is facing challenges or uncertainty as we approach Christmas. Make the effort to ask how they are and to listen to them.
Daily reflections
Listen to our daily Advent and Christmas reflections with the free #FollowTheStar app.
22 December
Follow … and sing
Read Psalm 96.2
Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.
Today's activity
Sing - or play - your favourite Christmas carol.
Daily reflections
Listen to our daily Advent and Christmas reflections with the free #FollowTheStar app.
23 December
Follow … with the shepherds
Read Luke 2.8-9
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them …
Today's activity
Say a prayer for shepherds, farmers, hospital and emergency workers and all who will be working over Christmas.
Daily reflections
Listen to our daily Advent and Christmas reflections with the free #FollowTheStar app.
24 December
Follow … the Star
Read Matthew 2.10-11
When the wise men saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother …
Today's activity
Follow the Star to your nearest church to share the joy of this Christmas Eve with others.
You can find details of Christmas services where you are at
AChurchNearYou.com
Daily reflections
Listen to our daily Advent and Christmas reflections with the free #FollowTheStar app.