This year we chose to do a family advent calendar vs. Elf on the Shelf. As much as this creative, Pinterest-loving, sentimental mom would have LOVED coming up with fun things for our elf to do… I wanted to focus my energy on the reason for the season. I want my kids to also keep their focus on the reason for the season.
Our society does a VERY good job to try and distract us from the true meaning of Christmas. Do I think Elf on the Shelf is bad, no. I think it is a matter of choice from one parent to the next, just like many other Christmas traditions. I wanted ours to include scripture and the story of Jesus birth.
My mom bought us this beautiful advent calendar and I stayed up last night writing out little activities on pieces of paper to slip into the pocket of each day.
Here is what our Advent calendar consists of:
December 1st: “The angel Gabriel was sent from God unto…Nazareth, to a virgin.” Luke 1:26-27
Activity: Create an angel and put on display.
December 2nd: “The angel said unto her, ‘fear not, Mary: for you have found favor with God.’” Luke 1:30
Activity: Pray to God asking Him to take our fears away.
December 3rd: “And, behold, thou shalt…bring forth a son, his name shall be Jesus.” Luke 1:31
Activity: Write out Jesus’ name and decorate it.
December 4th: “He shall be great, and be called the Son of the Most High.” Luke 1:32
Activity: What are other things you think that are great? Pick one to enjoy this week.
December 5th: “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. May it be as you have said.” Luke 1:38
Activity: Bake a treat and take to some friends, show how we should serve others this week.
December 6th: “Caesar sent out an order…that everyone’s name must be put on a list to be taxed.” Luke 2:1
Activity: Write your name and add to a basket. Draw one name for a special treat.
December 7th: “Everyone to their hometowns to have their name put on the list.” Luke 2:3
Activity: Write out a list of everyone’s name in your family. Give hugs.
December 8th: “And Joseph…went up from…Nazareth…unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem…with Mary and registered their names.” Luke 2:4-5
Activity: Pack your bag for a travel, go on a fun family outing.
December 9th: “And while they were there Mary brought forth her firstborn son, Jesus and wrapped him in swaddling clothes.” Luke 2:6-7
Activity: Do the gospel finger play! {Jesus came to earth as a baby, He lived a perfect life, he died on the cross for our sins and was buried. After 3 days He rose from the dead. And that's the gospel!}
December 10th: “There were no rooms left in the inn, so Mary wrapped the baby in cloths and laid him in the manger.” Luke 2:7
Activity: Sit as a family in a small space and talk about where Jesus was born. Who was there? Was it comfortable? Why do you think God was okay with Jesus being born there?
December 11th: “That night some shepherds were in the fields nearby watching their sheep.” Luke 2:8
Activity: Do a sheep craft. Talk about why shepherds are so important.
December 12th: “An angel of the Lord stood before them. The glory of the Lord was shining around them.” Luke 2:9
Activity: Go look at Christmas lights together and think about how Great God’s love is that he creates light in the darkness for us.
December 13th: “The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, because I am bringing you some GOOD news!” Luke 2:10
Activity: Do the gospel finger play, then have a family dance party!
December 14tH: “Today, your savior was born in David’s town. He is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11
Activity: Sing Happy Birthday to Jesus and share a special treat as a family.
December 15th: “This is how you will know him: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths lying in a manger.” Luke 2:12
Activity: Set up a nativity scene with stuffed animals from around the house by your Christmas tree.
December 16Th: “All the angels were praising God saying, “Give glory to God in Heaven, and on earth let there be peace to the people that please God.” Luke 2:16-17
Activity: Pray and thank God for sending Jesus to us.
December 17th: “So the shepherds went quickly & found Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus.” Luke 2:16-17
Activity: Go see a live nativity!
December 18tH: “Then the shepherd’s went back to their sheep, praising God and thanking Him for everything they had seen and heard.” Luke 2:20
Activity: Sing Christmas carols!
December 19th: “After Jesus was born, some wise men came from the East.” Matthew 2:1
Activity: What does wise mean? Pray and ask God for wisdom.
December 20th: When the wise men saw the star, they were filled with joy.” Matthew 2:10
Activity: Create a beautiful star to put on your Christmas tree. Talk about what brings you great joy and do some of those things together as a family.
December 21st: “They went to the house and the wise men bowed down and worshipped the child.” Matthew 2:11
Activity: Pray and give thanks to God. Talk about why prayer is so important.
December 22nd: “The wise men gave Jesus treasures of gold, frankincense and myrrh.” Matthew 2:11
Activity: Make a special present for each person in your family for Christmas. Wrap and place under the tree.
December 23rd: “A child will be born to us. God will give a son to us, His name will be Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
Activity: Why is Jesus the Prince of Peace? Lay peacefully under your tree and look up at the wonder and beauty.
December 24th: “For God loved the world so much that He gave his only son, so that whoever believed in Him may not be lost, but have eternal life.”
Activity: Sing Joy to the world!
December 25th: Happy Birthday Jesus! “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.” 2 Corinthians 9:15
Activity: Deliver baked treats to neighbors and spread the good news of Jesus birth.