Advent-Preparing for the Coming of Christ

Today marks the beginning of the Advent season.  Over the years I have tried to do something for Advent with the kids.  Two years ago I discovered the Jesse Tree and we followed a scripture guide and made decorations every day to go along with the scripture verses.  Last year I used a different Advent devotional book.

This year I wanted to do something different.  Something that would both engage my kids and give them something to look forward to.  I decided to stick with the Jesse Tree scripture guide but instead of making ornaments, I came up with fun activities that we could do as a family.

I sewed an Advent calendar with pockets for each day.  Then I made a chart for each day of Advent that includes the family activity, the theme of the day, and the scripture verses to read.

Today I was too late for making up our scripture reading, but we did do an activity.  We played Apples to Apples together.  We've never played it as a family before and we all loved it.  It's definitely going to be a new family favorite.

I am completely illiterate when it comes to creating PDF files, so I am just going to copy our Advent chart here for anyone who is interested.  (And I can't figure out why it's not formatting to be the same width, but I don't care anymore so I'm posting this sloppy.)

If you celebrate Advent with your family, I would love to hear what you do in your home.

Decorating the Christmas tree 

Monday Paint Ornaments Jesse Tree 1 Sam 16:1-13 Isaiah 11:1-10	Tuesday Make Advent Wreath God—Creation Genesis 1:1-2:3
Wednesday String Popcorn The first sin—Adam and Eve Genesis 2:4-3:24	Thursday Moonlight Walk The Flood—Noah Genesis 6:11-22, 7:17-8:12, 20-9:17
Friday Read Aloud Christmas Book The Promise—Abraham Genesis 12:1-7, 15:1-6	Saturday Fire and Sing Christmas Songs Offering of Isaac Genesis 22:1-19
Sunday Christmas Movie Jacob—Assurance of the Promise Genesis 27:41-28:22	Monday Candlelight Dinner Joseph—God's Providence Genesis 37, 39:1-50:21
Tuesday Make Christmas Cookies Moses—God's Leadership Exodus 2:1-4:20	Wednesday Deliver cookies to neighbors Israelites—Passover and Exodus Exodus 12:1-14:31
Thursday Hot Cocoa God—Giving the Torah at Sinai Exodus 19:1-20:20	Friday Make Christmas Cards Joshua—The Fall of Jericho Josh 1:1-11, 6:1-20

Saturday Visit Grandparents Gideon—Unlikely Heroes Judges 2:6-23, 6:1-6, 11-8:28	Sunday Game Night Samuel—The Beginning of the Kingdom 1 Sam 3:1-21, 7:1-8:22, 9:15-10:9
Monday List of Love and Appreciation of Family David—A Shepherd for the People 1 Sam 16:1-17:58, 2 Sam 5:1-5, 7:1-17	Tuesday Wrap Presents for Family Elijah—The Threat of False Gods 1 Kings 17:1-16, 18:17-46
Wednesday Snow Ice Cream Hezekiah—Faithfulness and Deliverance 2 Kings 18:1-19:19, 32-37	Thursday Christmas Lights Drive Isaiah—The Call to Holiness Isaiah 1:10-20, 6:1-13, 8:11-9:7
Friday Carol to the Grandparents Habakkuk—Waiting Hab 1:1-2:1, 3:16-19	Saturday Living Nativity 5-7 pm John the Baptist—Repentance Luke 1:57-80, 3:1-20, 7:18-30
Sunday Sledding Mary—The Hope Luke 1:26-38	Monday Snowman Contest Joseph—Trust Matthew 1:19-25 Magi—Worship Matt 2:1-12
Tuesday Make Birthday Cake for Jesus Church Service 5pm Jesus—Birth of the Messiah Luke 2:1-20	Wednesday Birthday Party for Jesus Christ—The Son of God John 1:1-18