What is ADVENT?

• A Christian tradition that symbolizes the passage of the 4 weeks before Christmas.

• Begins 4 Sundays before (11/29) and ends Christmas Eve.

• A time to prepare our hearts for the celebration of the birth of Jesus.

How to bring Advent to your home…

The Advent Wreath

Week 1: HOPE

Week 2: LOVE

Week 3: JOY

Week 4: PEACE

Christmas Eve: CHRIST

Advent Devotionals

The Jesse Tree

Unwrapping the Greatest Gift

by Ann Voskamp

For the Lego lover…

Advent Spiral

The manger begins empty at the beginning of Advent.

Each time someone in the family does a good deed or

makes a sacrifice, he or she gets to place a piece of straw

in the manger.

Advent Family Activities

Different Advent Calendars…

Nature Walk…take a rock away as you move

shepherds and wise men closer.

Jesus Storybook Bible

Extras:

• Find Christmas music to play before, during or after. (Go Fish, Chris Tomlin, David Crowder…)

• Take a drive to see lights and use that time to talk about God’s GIFT

• Go see a Living Nativity http://www.jerseyfamilyfun.com/living-nativity-scenes-new-jersey/

So what’s the point?

• Don’t just add to the busyness of the season. • Plan time in the day so you can enjoy it. • Find something that works for your family. • Tradition is good when it brings us closer to

God and reminds of us of His GRACE! • They could change as your family changes and

grows or you could find something that works each year.

Focus on…

• Prayer • Closeness to God and family • God’s Word • Acts of Kindness

John 14:6 “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes

to the Father except through me.”

Now to make your own!

Take a bag. Decorate it however you like. Put the set of cards/papers inside. THAT’S IT! Now each day take one out and read it.