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Over the last several years, we’ve been slowly adding things to do during the advent season. Although Advent started yesterday, we are still pulling together a few things to do with the kids over the next few weeks, all in anticipation of Christmas and the REAL reason for the season. Here are a few of the ways that we celebrate together as a family.
Each year we’ve had a simple Advent wreath in the center of our dining room table. I arranged {fake} greenery in a basket and added in five candles ~ 4 tapers {3 purple and 1 pink} and then a larger white candle in the center {the Jesus candle}. Each week we light a new candle at night, together as a family. This year we’re also excited to pull out our Advent log ~ it’s sitting in front of our fireplace and has a place for one candle for each night of Advent. We haven’t been able to use it for several years and I will have to share pictures of it soon!
During our Bible time for school, we are going to be using the Birth of Jesus from Grapevine. We loved our Joseph study and the fact that everyone {including Kaleb} could participate. Our Multi-Level Teacher Guide E-book retails for $7.95 and is on sale for $6.95. The Student e-book for Multi-Level retails for $5.95 and is on sale for $4.95.
AND this year we’re going to get a little ‘crafty’ thanks to the wonderful Amanda and the Truth in the Tinsel ebook that she released a few days ago!! I’ve been going through the activities and printing things off to do with the kids. I LOVE that it has 24 activities available, but it also offers alternate schedules in case 24 seems too overwhelming for you to do.
Unwrapping the Greatest Gift is a 25 day Advent study that your family will love. Intended for ages 4+, the beautiful illustrations and story will draw you in as you learn more about the lineage of Jesus through the Jesse Tree. The devotional includes links for coloring page downloads and paper ornaments you can use to decorate and remember your study.
That’s what we’ll I’m interested to know how YOU all celebrate Advent ~ or do you? Are there special traditions that you have as a family during this time? Leave a comment and share!
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I am starting a new tradition this year with an Advent Calendar that teaches the True Story of Christmas! I’m so excited to start tomorrow with my almost-3-yr-old daughter. Hopefully others can benefit from the time I spent putting this together so their kids can learn from the Story straight from the Bible, too!
Thanks, the storybook looks great! How long is the Birth of Jesus study book? I wonder if it would be good to do during Christmas vs Advent?
Our favorite traditions? The kids love the Advent wreath, the Jesse tree, a basket of (wrapped) books – 1 per day, their nightly Advent chain, and of course bringing out the decorations little by little!
The one that we’re using {multi-level} is only 5 lessons. :)
Last year we went through 25 names of Jesus. We loved learning more about Jesus together and will be doing the same again this year. This year I made up some Names of Jesus Advent Cards and Pockets to house everything in. We’re excited to start tomorrow :)
Allyson ~ LOVE that idea of the names of Jesus.
I love these suggestions! We’re reading Bartholomew’s Passage this year. We also do an advent wreath, a Jesse Tree (overkill??? LOL) and I have to give a shout out to our longest standing and favorite tradition- The Advent Book. Beautiful and interactive way to celebrate the Christmas story!
What fun resources! I have been adding to our tradition each year as well! This year we added in books to open and Jesse tree readings. However I have been thinking about buying Truth in the Tinsel!
I was up to my eyeballs in craft supplies last night, sorting and getting everything together. :)
Were you able to get it all ready? Sammy and I have been doing a craft and activity a day since Thanksgiving.. but I didn’t prep them.. I wish I had :-P
I got the first seven done for sure and have all of the stuff almost cut out. All the supplies are in one big basket and ready to go otherwise!!
I just went ahead and purchased it since I have heard so many amazing things about it! Now to get things organized tonight! Are you doing it will all of the kids?
yep. with all of them. :)
I blogged about our advent calendar here:http://lifelonglearningadventures.blogspot.com/2011/11/advent-calendar.html
I really like your book suggestions too, thank you for sharing!
thanks for sharing!! I’ll check it out in just a bit! :)
I just posted a blog about this yesterday! Looks like you guys are off to a great start!http://bobandabbies.blogspot.com/2011/11/adventchristmas.html
thanks for sharing!! I’ll check it out in just a bit! :)
Great ideas, especially the Jotham’s Journey series. I’ve heard about them from others, so I think I need to order some! This year we are using an Advent wreath we made at MOPS with a little Bible verse/gift to open each day. We are also using Thriving Family’s Advent Activity Calendar during our devotional time–the kids have enjoyed it so far!
We first heard about the Jotham series from our pastor ten years ago…well, technically his then 7 year old son. I remember standing in the church foyer Christmas Eve for almost 15 minutes listening to a summary of all that had happened up to that point!! :) So funny…especially since my kids are now probably cornering others in the lobby with the same scenario!
I love that! You can definitely see they are “hiding it in their hearts!” :)
This year we’re going to be doing two things to celebrate advent, both of which I’m really excited about. The first is we are going to use a special advent devotional calendar that I’ve created which includes a Bible verse, short story or interesting fact, an activity, song, and prayer all centered around a Christmas symbol. And the second, we are going to read a Christmas picture book every night before bed. For details, check out my blog:
http://cornerstoneconfessions.blogspot.com/2011/10/thinking-aheadchristmas.html