by Amy Scott Robinson

“As I once wrote in a series of Tiny Advent Poems, Advent is like turning out the lights before you bring in the birthday cake. The celebration afterwards is just not the same without it.”

From toddler to teenager, what are the best Christian apps in the app store? Read our reviews and recommendations to help you make the best choice for your child’s screen time.

By Anna Hawken, Parenting for Faith

God makes us the most unbelievable offer... to be our parent. Yes, even when we’re all grown up and have children of our own! ‘To all who did receive him [Jesus], to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God’. John 1:12 This is an invitation from God, to you, to be His child. But many of us don’t take up this offer. Or we don't live fully experiencing the connection, guidance and support that He wants to give us. Why? Because we're so busy doing the day-to-day grown upping of looking after everyone else. We've forgotten how to 'live on the child side'.

by Bryony Wells, blogger, podcaster, mother, friend

“It’s not fair” - has anyone else heard that phrase this week? Whether it’s food portion sizes, time spent on computer games or whether or not they need to have a shower, it seems fairness is a big deal in our house!

I find it all too easy to jump into chastising my children for not being ‘grateful enough’ or not ‘understanding how blessed they are’. However I’ve come to realise that I am more like my children than I care to admit when it comes to fairness. I’m learning that my posture towards God is often one of expecting fairness and of crying ‘it’s not fair” when things don’t fit my version of fairness and justice. When I watch God’s blessing fall on others while at the same time my prayers stand unanswered it’s all too easy for my heart to cry “it’s not fair”.

by Kristen Stevenson, Bible Society

As a family, we go through many seasons. Seasons of joy, frustration, triumph and pain. During one of our more difficult seasons, we regularly reflected on Matthew 6.25–34. The image of a lily standing in a field was able to give us strength that on some days we did not know we had. I don’t remember how we came upon that verse at that time. As so often happens, it was just where our Bible led us that day. God our Father knew we needed that verse at that time and so with an open Bible and an open heart we were supplied with what we needed.

by Kirsty Dronfield

It’s no secret, I would love to be a mum! I don’t know if it’s in God’s plan for me – that’s another story for another day – but I am an auntie. This gives me the privilege of being able to talk to my niece and nephews about God. But to be honest, most of the time I feel like I waste that privilege…. do you ever wonder: ‘Are my non-parent friends even interested in my kids’ spiritual lives? If so, how can I encourage that in an appropriate way?’

Everywhere we go, we’re surrounded by symbols. Even the youngest children can recognise the logos of their favourite brands and television shows, and many will recognise the symbols and icons that help us to navigate the digital world. The Christian faith is also full of symbols. For centuries, we have used symbols such as the cross, the dove and the ichthus to share our values and beliefs.

By Janine Parkinson, Scripture Union

I grew up in a volatile home, love was scarce and smacking and shouting was plentiful! I can’t pin all the blame on my parents as my father came from an abusive home; the eldest of six children who then buried his head into the royal marines which left him even harder and unable to show love. My mother was a war baby adopted from birth in 1945 and has suffered with her mental health ever since. So really, circumstances hadn’t been kind to them; both introverts trying to bring me up - an extraverted, touchy feely, desperate for love girl. I probably wasn’t the easiest child to relate to.

When my son was young, he liked me to act out the Bible. He wanted to “see it” for himself. When he was four he gave his heart to Jesus, completely off his own back, in a shop car park. He said “Mummy I’ve never asked Jesus into my heart let’s do it now”! A perfect example of childlike faith.

by Joanne Gilchrist

"I’ve never been much of a walker but I grew with a youth leader who loved hiking! One day, our youth leader decided we should start prayer-walking round the streets of our home-town on a Friday evening. Great, I thought. Two of my least favourite things - walking and praying aloud. But something amazing happened on those prayer walks and I found my voice. I discovered I could pray in a way I’d never imagined. I prayed with passion, with conviction - in spirit and in truth. What was it that made the difference?"

by Fiona Walton, primary school teacher, author, Mum and Grandma

As adults perhaps a question we are inclined to ask is, “Where is God to be found when I need him?” or as children might put it, “Where does God live?”

What does the Bible say?

by Susan Box, illustrator and Designer “Conversation Starters”

Ask most people what advent means to them and you’ll hear mention of chocolate shapes behind cardboard doors, ordering turkeys or rushing to get the last “must-have” toy.

But, as followers of Jesus, advent is a time of watching and waiting. It’s a season all of its own, and we’re missing out if we treat it as simply a stepping stone to Christmas Day.