Free Advent Printable for Family Celebrations
For so many years my family missed the mark on the true reason behind our holiday season. We were caught up in the hustle of busyness and the trap of consumerism. Thankfully, I had an amazing friend share with me how her family slowed down and intentionally celebrated the advent season and it changed my life. After that, a group of women and I simplified the process even more, taught workshops for other women to do the same, and then I altered it down even more to fit my family specifically. Now I want to share the bones with you all as well!
The idea behind this way of celebrating Advent is not to replace one form of busy with another. Which is why we celebrate 4 weeks with only one celebration per week on a date that works best for your family’s schedule and season of life. What works best for us, is to sit down at the beginning of the season and take into account sports, plays, holiday parties, etc. and then mark our celebration nights on the calendar before hand. There won’t be time carved out unless you are intentional and prioritize the space for that to happen. We then follow the guide below and adjust to whatever works for us best that year for each celebration. When my family slows down and focuses on Christ in the midst of a chaotic season, the details really fall into place and the heart behind it shines best for all of us in general. Hold the plans below loosely as a guide and remember it is supposed to add more JOY to your season, not STRESS.
I did that this year by creating an “Advent Calendar” of sorts to keep us organized and on track of our celebrations. Each box contains some small items that will help up with each Advent Night’s activity. It creates the fun of opening “a present” and also takes the pressure to run out and get things weekly off of my shoulders so I can enjoy the season and moments along with my family.
WEEK ONE: RED AND GREEN NIGHT
*FOCUS ON YOUR FAMILY AND INTRODUCING THE ADVENT SEASON*
CANDLE: THE PROMISE CANDLE
DISCUSSION: GODS PROMISE TO US. OUR PROMISE TO GOD. OUR PROMISE TO EACH OTHER IN FAMILY. OUR PROMISE TO OTHERS.
SCRIPTURE: ISAIAH 9:2,6-7
CELEBRATION ACTIVITY: RED AND GREEN MEAL W/ RED & GREEN FOODS, TABLEWARE, AND DECOR
IN BOX: PAPER PLATES, TABLECLOTH, NAPKINS, & TABLE DECOR
WEEK TWO: BETHLEHEM NIGHT
*FOCUS ON THE FIRST CHRISTMAS*
CANDLE: THE BETHLEHEM CANDLE
DISCUSSION: WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO LIVE WHEN JESUS WAS BORN? HOW WERE MARY AND JOSEPH FEELING? WHY WAS EVERYONE LOOKING FOR THE MESSIAH? DO YOU EVER FEEL LIKE THAT?
SCRIPTURE: LUKE 2:1-7
CELEBRATION ACTIVITY: CANDLELIT PICNIC IN FRONT OF CHRISTMAS TREE EATING FOODS WE THINK JESUS ATE.
IN BOX: SMALL TABLECLOTH OR BLANKET, CANDLES, CRACKERS OR NON-PERISHABLE FOOD
WEEK THREE: GOOD NEWS NIGHT
*FOCUS ON SHARING THE GOOD NEWS OUTSIDE OF FAMILY*
CANDLE: THE ANGEL CANDLE
DISCUSSION: WHAT WOULD YOU THINK FIRST IF YOU EVER SAW AN ANGEL? WOULD YOU TAKE A RISK TO BELIEVE A MESSAGE DELIVERED TO YOU FROM GOD? HOW CAN YOU HELP OTHERS TAKE THAT RISK?
SCRIPTURE: LUKE 2: 8-14
CELEBRATION ACTIVITY: INVITE ANYONE IN YOUR COMMUNITY OVER FOR DINNER AND TO PARTICIPATE IN YOUR ADVENT FESTIVITIES. SHARE THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS WITH THEM.
IN BOX: INVITATIONS TO DECORATE AND GIVE TO GUESTS
WEEK four: tradItions NIGHT
*FOCUS ON FAMILY TRADITIONS*
CANDLE: THE SHEPHERDS CANDLE
DISCUSSION: WHAT WERE THE TRADITIONS OF THE SHEPHERDS? WHAT DO YOU THINKN GOD THE ANGEL TO TELL THE SHEPHERDS ABOUT JESUS?
SCRIPTURE: LUKE 2:15-18
CELEBRATION ACTIVITY: LITERALLY ANY HOLIDAY TRADITION YOU CAN REPEAT TOGETHER AS A FAMILY ANNUALLY. (EX: WE MAKE COOKIES AND HOT CHOCOLATE AND THEN DRIVE AROUND LOOKING AT CHRISTMAS LIGHTS)
IN BOX: ANY SMALL ITEMS YOU NEED TO COMPLETE YOUR TRADITIONS (IN OUR SPECIFIC BOX: HOT CHOCOLATE CUPS, HOT CHOCOLATE, MARSHMELLOWS, COOKIE CUTTERS, TWINKLE LIGHTS)
CHRISTMAS MORNING
*FOCUS ON THE GIFT OF JESUS’ BIRTH*
CANDLE: THE CHIRST CANDLE
DISCUSSION: DESCRIBE THE CONDITIONS OF JESUS’ BIRTH. WHAT DOES THE BIRTH OF JESUS MEAN TO YOU?
SCRIPTURE: LUKE 2:1-20
CELEBRATION ACTIVITY: LIGHT CANDLE AND SING HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JESUS BEFORE OPENING ANY PRESENTS
IN BOX: ONE WHITE BIRTHDAY CANDLE
