ADVENT: Great Resources to Prepare your Family to Celebrate Jesus’ Birthday

Eager to keep the focus on Christ and not consumerism this Christmas? Looking to be more intentional about celebrating Jesus’ birthday? Explore the terrific links below… choose 1 and stick with it as much as possible. You’ll be glad you did!

Journey to the Manger– Focus on the Family 2014 Advent Activity Calendar. Print the ADVENT POSTER, CHRISTMAS CHARACTERS and PARENT GUIDE to lead your family through the season of Advent. It offers a plan for each day, which includes a Scripture reading, prayer and kid-friendly activity highlighting a different Bible-time person or animal related to the Nativity.
The Advent Book_Digital Edition- a devotional guide to help families recapture meaning and anticipation this Christmas. “It is hard for us as adults to keep Christ centered in our hearts during the busyness of the Christmas season. For children, it is all the more difficult…”
Adventures in Odyssey Advent Calendar– Focus on the Family 2013 Advent Activity Calendar (great activities, simply adjust the dates!) Christmas can be a hectic time of year. Visiting family, hosting dinner parties, attending Christmas celebrations—we pack our schedules with activities and festivities. Sure, many of those things might be enjoyable, but it’s easy to become overwhelmed and stressed with all we have to do. That’s why it’s important to turn our eyes to the meaning behind the season and help our families enjoy holiday celebrations built around the hope and truth of Christ.
Four Advent Adventures for Your Family – Focus on the Family. “If, like me, you’ve never been able to maintain daily Advent devotions from December first ’til Christmas, here’s an easier challenge: Can you manage four?…” Adventures in Odyssey advent calendar aio-town2-templates aio-town3-templates aio-town4-templates aio-town-templates
The Jesse Tree – This is a tree, or a large banner of a tree, that helps us connect the custom of decorating Christmas trees to the events leading to Jesus’ birth. The ornaments of the Jesse Tree tell the story of God in the Old Testament, connecting the Advent season with the faithfulness of God across four thousand years of history.
Wycliffe 12 Days of Christmas: Christmas and Missions rolled into one! *Learn how 12 different countries celebrate Christmas; *Make delicious Christmas treats or fun crafts from around the world; *Remember the true reason for the season — Jesus Christ!
Henri Nouwen: ADVENT PRAYER “Lord Jesus, master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas. We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day. We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us. We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom. We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence. We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light. To you we say, “Come Lord Jesus!” Amen.