Simplified Advent Celebration:
One of the ladies in our church shared this with us at MOPS a few years ago. You read and light one candle each week leading up to Christmas.
Week 1:
Read Isaiah 9:2-6
Say together as you light the first red candle:
"The first candle is the candle of Promise because God promised to send a Savior."
Week 2:
Read Matt. 1:18-25 and Luke 2:1-7
Say together as you light each candle:
"The first candle is the candle of Promise because God promised to send a Savior"
"The second candle is the candle is the candle of Light because Jesus came as God's light in a dark world."
Week 3:
Read Luke 2:8-10 and John 3:16
Say together as you light each candle:
"The first candle is the candle of Promise because God promised to send a Savior"
"The second candle is the candle is the candle of Light because Jesus came as God's light in a dark world."
"The third candle is the candle of Love because 'God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
Week 4:
Read John 14:1-6
Say together as you light each candle:
"The first candle is the candle of Promise because God promised to send a Savior"
"The second candle is the candle is the candle of Light because Jesus came as God's light in a dark world."
"The third candle is the candle of Love because 'God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
"The fourth candle is the candle of Hope. Today we remember that God also gives us the gift of hope which is life forever with Him in heaven."
Christmas Day:
Read Matt. 2:1-12
Say together as you light each candle:
"The first candle is the candle of Promise because God promised to send a Savior"
"The second candle is the candle is the candle of Light because Jesus came as God's light in a dark world."
"The third candle is the candle of Love because 'God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
"The fourth candle is the candle of Hope. Today we remember that God also gives us the gift of hope which is life forever with Him in heaven."
Discuss the gifts of Christ to us and the gifts of the kings given to the Christ child as you light the center (white) candle.
What God Wants for Christmas?:
This is a box set that is pretty commonly found in Christian bookstores. There is a story paired with a box to open. As you read and open the boxes, little bits of Jesus Birth story are revealed. The last box simply has a mirror in it. What God wants for Christmas, is YOU!! (click here)
25 Day Advent:
Seems like I always get some pretty good stuff from MOPS. Last year we made this advent activity in our MOPS meeting. Later I found this box with 25 doors and compartments to place the envelopes in. Each day we open a door to find a card that tells us something special to do. Here is the list of things to do if you would like to try it with your little ones....
1: Scratch your Daddy's back for 5 minutes and ask him how his day was. Let him know how much you love him.
2:Say a prayer today for children that don't have parents. Then ask Mommy to tell you about the story of your arrival!
3:Be a good neighbor! Sneak over to your neighbor's yard and help them a little..... pick up leaves, sweet their porch, straighten their welcome mat.
4:Go for a "God walk". As you walk around, thank God for all the beautiful and interesting things you see.
5:Have Mommy help you make a list of your favorite things about Daddy. Hide the list in a special spot for him to find.
6:Help your Mommy with the laundry today. Don't forget to put the clothes away!
7:Stick a note on the bathroom mirror for you Daddy telling him how thankful you are for him and how hard he works for your family.
8:Straighten up your room without telling Mommy what you are doing. Once you are finished, bring Mommy in and surprise her!
9:Make a list about why Christmas is important. Hint: it's about more than presents and stockings!
10:Draw a picture and send it to a love one far away!
11: Make a thank you card for a soldier.
12:It's Movie Day! Pop some popcorn, let Mommy pick her favorite kid's movie and bring her a drink. Then snuggle up and enjoy the show!
13:Do something nice for your brother or sister. Maybe bring them a cookie, or help them pick up their toys.
14:Draw a picture for a person in your family and post it on the fridge for all to see.
15:Read the story of the birth of Christ to discover the true meaning of Christmas.
16: Collect blankets, towels, toys, and other supplies for an animal shelter.
17:Cuddle up with Daddy on the couch in a snuggle blanket. Tell Daddy he can pick any book he wants to read.
18:Tell your brother or sister (or cousin or friend) why they are special to you.
19:Make a sweet treat for your mailman. They can't accept gift cards, so get clever in the kitchen!
20:Collect a few of your toys to give to someone who has less than you.
21:Give some of your coins to the man with the red bucket ringing the bell outside your favorite store.
22:Mommy needs your help! Put away the silverware, put socks in the sock drawer, tell her how pretty she is! Mommies need love, too!
23:Make a get wall card to send to the pediatric department at your local hospital.
24:Make a secret 'I love you' signal for just you and Mommy to share. Touch your nose, kiss your finger, wiggle your ear - it's a secret for just you two!
25:It's Christmas Day! Read the Christmas story one last time and thank God for sending His precious Son to us!!
The challenge in all of this is to keep it up throughout the year!! Enjoy the advent ideas!
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