Embrace the joyous anticipation of Christ’s birth this Advent season with meaningful, faith-filled activities the whole family can enjoy together. Light the candles of your Advent wreath each Sunday, reflecting on the themes of hope, love, joy, and peace as you read corresponding Bible passages and discuss their significance. Create a family Advent calendar filled with daily scripture readings, prayers, acts of kindness, and festive activities like baking Christmas cookies or watching a beloved holiday movie. Attend special Advent services at your church, immersing yourself in the rich traditions and liturgy of the season, and consider participating in a Christmas in Canada community outreach project to share the love and light of Christ with others. By intentionally focusing on the true meaning of Christmas through these Advent activities, your family will grow closer to each other and to God, experiencing the transformative power of this holy season.
Weekly Advent Wreath Devotionals
Advent Wreath Setup
To set up an Advent wreath at home, start by gathering four candles – three purple and one pink. Place them in a circular wreath made of evergreen branches, symbolizing continuous life and God’s unending love. The candles represent hope, love, joy, and peace. Position the pink candle, signifying joy, as the third candle to be lit. Place a larger white candle in the center, known as the Christ candle. Each Sunday of Advent, light the corresponding candle during family devotions or meals, reflecting on the meaning behind each one. On Christmas Eve, light the Christ candle to celebrate Jesus’ birth.
Weekly Devotional Structure
A suggested structure for weekly family Advent devotionals could include:
1. Opening Prayer: Begin with a short prayer, inviting God’s presence and guidance during your devotional time.
2. Scripture Reading: Select a passage from the Bible that relates to the Advent theme for the week, such as hope, peace, joy, or love. Take turns reading the passage aloud.
3. Reflection: Discuss the meaning of the scripture and how it applies to your lives. Encourage family members to share their thoughts and insights.
4. Advent Candle Lighting: Light the appropriate candle on your Advent wreath, explaining the significance of each candle and its symbolism.
5. Advent Activity: Engage in a short activity that reinforces the week’s theme, such as writing cards to express gratitude, creating a prayer jar, or making ornaments that represent the Advent message.
6. Discussion Questions: Prepare a few questions that prompt deeper thinking about the scripture and its relevance to daily life. Encourage open and honest sharing among family members.
7. Closing Prayer: End the devotional with a prayer, giving thanks for God’s love and asking for strength to live out the Advent message throughout the week.
Aim to keep the devotional time to around 20-30 minutes to maintain engagement and focus. Be flexible and adaptable, adjusting the structure as needed to suit your family’s needs and preferences.
Daily Scripture Reading Plan
As we journey through Advent, immersing ourselves in God’s Word is a powerful way to prepare our hearts for celebrating Jesus’ birth. Consider using this daily scripture reading plan as a guide for your family devotions:
Week 1 (Hope): Read Isaiah 9:2, 6-7; Jeremiah 33:14-16; Isaiah 11:1-10; and Romans 15:12-13. Reflect on the hope we have in Christ and the prophecies that foretold His coming.
Week 2 (Love): Explore Luke 1:26-38; Matthew 1:18-25; John 3:16-17; and 1 John 4:7-12. Meditate on God’s incredible love demonstrated through the gift of His Son.
Week 3 (Joy): Delve into Luke 2:1-20; Isaiah 35:1-10; Zephaniah 3:14-17; and Philippians 4:4-7. Discover the joy that comes from knowing and worshiping our Savior.
Week 4 (Peace): Study Isaiah 9:6-7; Micah 5:2-5a; Luke 2:8-14; and John 14:27. Embrace the peace Christ brings and the promise of His eternal reign.
Christmas Eve/Day: Read Luke 2:1-20; John 1:1-14; Isaiah 7:14; and Matthew 1:18-25. Celebrate the miraculous birth of Jesus and the fulfillment of God’s plan for our salvation.
By focusing on key themes each week, your family can gain a deeper understanding of God’s incredible love and faithfulness. Encourage everyone to share their thoughts, ask questions, and consider how these scriptures apply to their lives today. May this Advent be a time of spiritual growth and anticipation as you draw closer to Christ together.
Advent Calendar with Acts of Kindness
DIY Advent Calendar Ideas
Creating a DIY Advent calendar is a fun way to engage your family in the spirit of the season. Consider using a large poster board or corkboard to make a calendar, numbering the days from 1 to 25. Behind each number, place a small card or envelope containing a Bible verse, prayer, or activity for the day. You can also create a hanging calendar using small bags or boxes tied with ribbons, each containing a special treat or message. Another idea is to make a paper chain, with each link representing a day and featuring a written prompt for reflection or action. Get creative with your materials, using things like old Christmas cards, scrapbook paper, or even natural elements like pinecones and evergreen sprigs. Involve your children in the process, letting them decorate the calendar and help plan the daily surprises. Remember, the goal is to create a meaningful and interactive way to celebrate Advent together as a family.
Acts of Kindness Suggestions
Here are some age-appropriate acts of kindness and service ideas for families to incorporate into their Advent activities:
1. Donate gently used toys, books, or clothing to a local charity or shelter.
2. Make homemade cards or care packages for elderly neighbors or those in nursing homes.
3. Volunteer at a local food bank or soup kitchen as a family.
4. Offer to rake leaves, shovel snow, or do other yard work for a neighbor in need.
5. Bake cookies or treats and deliver them to local first responders or hospital staff.
6. Participate in a church or community gift drive for underprivileged children.
7. Write thank-you notes to teachers, pastors, or other influential figures in your lives.
8. Create blessing bags with essential items for the homeless and distribute them in your area.
9. Visit a local animal shelter and donate supplies or volunteer to walk the dogs.
10. Offer to babysit for a single parent or a family with a new baby to give them a break.
Remember, as Jesus said, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40). Let your acts of kindness be a reflection of Christ’s love this Advent season.
Christmas Storybook Countdown
Suggested Book List
Here are some suggested Christmas and Advent storybooks for various ages:
For young children (ages 2-5):
• The Christmas Story by Patricia A. Pingry – A simple retelling of the Nativity story with colorful illustrations.
• The Advent Storybook by Laura Richie – 25 Bible stories, one for each day of Advent, with discussion questions.
• The Christmas Promise by Alison Mitchell – Explains the significance of Jesus’ birth and God’s love.
For elementary-aged kids (ages 6-10):
• Jotham’s Journey by Arnold Ytreeide – An exciting adventure story that follows a boy’s journey to find his family and the Messiah.
• Ishtar’s Odyssey by Arnold Ytreeide – A Persian boy follows the star of Bethlehem, learning about faith and worship.
• The Jesse Tree by Geraldine McCaughrean – Traces the lineage of Jesus through Bible stories hung on a tree.
For tweens and teens (ages 11+):
• Unwrapping the Greatest Gift by Ann Voskamp – A beautifully illustrated devotional exploring Jesus’ family tree.
• All the Colours of Christmas by Matthew Paul Turner – Reflections on Advent and the many emotions of the season.
• The Season of Styx Malone by Kekla Magoon – A coming-of-age novel about friendship, adventure, and the real meaning of Christmas.
These engaging books bring the message of Advent to life, helping families reflect on the anticipation, joy and hope we have in Christ. Choose stories to read aloud together, sparking meaningful discussions about faith this holiday season.
Nativity Scene Scavenger Hunt
Create a fun and educational Nativity Scene Scavenger Hunt to teach children about the true meaning of Christmas. Begin by setting up a nativity scene in your home, placing the figurines in various locations throughout the house. Provide each child with a list of clues or riddles that guide them to find specific characters from the nativity story, such as Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, the shepherds, the wise men, and the angels.
As the children discover each figurine, encourage them to read or listen to the corresponding part of the Christmas story from the Bible. You can use a children’s Bible or read directly from the Gospel accounts in Matthew 1:18-25 and Luke 2:1-20. Discuss the significance of each character and their role in the nativity story, emphasizing the central message of God’s love and the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
To make the scavenger hunt more engaging, include additional challenges or activities at each stop. For example, when the children find the shepherds, have them reenact the scene where the angels appeared to announce Jesus’ birth. Or, when they locate the wise men, ask them to share what gifts they would bring to baby Jesus and why.
As a family, reflect on the importance of the nativity story and how it relates to our lives today. Encourage children to ask questions and share their thoughts about the Christmas story. Conclude the scavenger hunt by gathering around the completed nativity scene, singing Christmas carols, and offering a prayer of gratitude for the greatest gift of all—Jesus Christ.
This Nativity Scene Scavenger Hunt not only provides a fun and interactive way for children to learn about the true meaning of Christmas but also fosters family bonding and creates lasting memories centered on faith and the celebration of our Savior’s birth.
Conclusion
As we conclude our exploration of meaningful Advent activities for families, it’s important to recognize the profound impact that intentional time spent together can have on our spiritual growth and family bonds. By engaging in Christ-centered family activities during this sacred season, we not only deepen our understanding of God’s love but also create lasting memories that will strengthen our faith and relationships for years to come.
Whether you choose to focus on daily devotionals, acts of kindness, or fun and educational games, the key is to approach these activities with an open heart and a desire to draw closer to God and one another. As you embark on this Advent journey, remember that even the simplest gestures can have a profound impact when done with love and intention.
We encourage you to prayerfully consider which activities resonate with your family and to make a commitment to incorporating them into your Advent traditions. By doing so, you’ll not only enrich your own spiritual lives but also set a powerful example for future generations, helping to ensure that the true meaning of Christmas remains at the forefront of your family’s celebration.
May this Advent season be a time of great joy, reflection, and growth for you and your loved ones as you anticipate the miraculous birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.