Tomorrow is November 1st and as the last two months of the year arrives so does my holiday spirit. (Actually I have been talking about Christmas since July.) This time last year I was knee deep in research papers and moving boxes. Why I thought that the week before Thanksgiving (which also happened to coincide with when all my paper were due) was a good time move escapes me at the moment. But not this year! I have time to do some of the thing that I have talked about in years past. One of those aspirations is an Advent Calendar.
While at first the notion of finding, purchasing, and using an advent calendar was exciting I quickly decided that I was going to make my own.
I am not super crafty. I just couldn't find one that I could afford or that I liked. Plus, it seemed like everyone I found was completely secular in nature. While chocolate and Legos are fun, that is not what Christmas is about. So I made this adorable little Advent Calendar. But then came my dilemma...
What do I put in it? I knew that I wanted to include slips of paper in it that had verses on them so that throughout the days leading up to Christmas we could focus our attention on Christ; but I wanted to put something else in there as well? I toyed with the idea of chocolate candies (but knowing my children they would be oh so tempted to partake early) or small trinkets and gifts (but I am already stuffing stockings and the idea of buy 25 small extra things for each child seemed daunting). Then after much Google-ing , I decided to fill it with activities.
So, now we have 25 selections of scripture that focus on the prophecies of Jesus, the birth of Jesus, the crucifixion of Jesus, and the second coming of Jesus, as well as 25 fun Christmas activities that hopefully will give my children a holiday to remember.
Since it took so much work and research to not only compile the verses (although I found verse days 1-12 at www.teachingmom.com) and come up with fun, CHEAP, holiday activities, I thought I would share with you my lists, and save you some time if you want to make one.
Hope you enjoy your Christmas season!
Psalm 62:5-6 Isaiah 26:3 Hebrews 10:23
Make a Christmas Countdown Paper Chain
Day 2 (Verses on the Role of the Jewish Nation)
Isaiah 11:1-2 Jeremiah 23:5-6
Make Christmas Cards for Family Members
Day 3 (Prophecies of Jesus)
Isaiah 42:1, 5-6 Isaiah 60:1-3,19-22
Have a Family Pajama Party and Watch a Christmas Movie
Day 4 (Urging Repentance and Preparation)
Daniel 9:24-27
Cut out and Hang Paper Snowflakes
Day 5 (Verses on God’s Timing)
Galatians 4:4-5 Ephesians 1:9-12
Draw Names for Family Gift Exchange
Day 6 (More Prophecies)
Numbers 24:17, 19 Revelation 22:16 2 Peter 1:19
St. Nicolas Day (Fill their Shoes with Goodies)
Day 7 (The Coming of John the Baptist)
Malachi 3:1 Luke 1:67-79
Make S'mores in the Backyard
Day 8 (The Role of Bethlehem)
Micah 5:2-5
Decorate a Gingerbread House
Day 9 (Jesus as the Good Shepherd)
Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11
Bake and Decorate Christmas Cookies
Day 10 (The Family of Jesus and John)
Luke 1:11-25
Get Dressed Up for a Fancy Family Dinner at Home
Day 11 (The Angel Comes to Mary)
Luke 1:26-38
Make Gifts for Friends and Family
Day 12 (Jesus is the Light of the World)
John 1:1-9
Present Wrapping Party
Day 13 (Born of a Virgin)
Isaiah 7:14 Luke 1:46-55
Christmas Book Story Time
Day 14 (The Birth of Christ)
Luke 1-2
Make Hot Chocolate and Go See Christmas Lights
Day 15 (Jesus Begins His Ministry)
Luke 3:21-22 Luke 4:1-15
Make a Family Handprints Wreath
Day 16 (Jesus is Arrested)
Luke 22
Make a Birthday Card/Cake for Jesus
Day 17 (Jesus is Crucified)
Luke 23
Christmas Party!
Day 18 (He is Risen!)
Luke 24:1-12 Luke 24:50-53
Have a Santa Clause Movie Marathon
Day 19 (Jesus Foretells his Second Coming)
John 14:1-4 Matthew 24:3-31
Write Stocking Letters
Day 20 (Jesus on the White Horse)
Revelations 19:11-16
Christmas Trees for the Birds
Day 21 (Satan is Defeated)
Revelations 20
Watch a Christmas Carol
Day 22 (All Things are Made New)
Revelations 21
Exchange Homemade Gifts
Day 23 (The Time Is Near)
Revelations22:6-11, Revelations 22:20-21
2012 Prayer Jar
Day 24 (The Birth of Jesus, Again, it is Tradition)
Luke 1-2
Open one Christmas Present of Mom and Dad's Choosing
Day 25 (Focus on Thanking the Lord for ALL Gifts)
Psalms 100
Gift Scavenger Hunt
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