It can feel counter-intuitive to start thinking about Advent before Thanksgiving, but I’ve learned over the years that a little planning ahead helps prepare my boys’ hearts—and mine—for Christmas.
The busyness of these final two months of the year can sometimes get in the way of what really matters. We can easily get caught up in “the things that are seen” and “transient”—school projects, travel plans, gift ideas, photos for Christmas cards—and leave little room for “the things that are unseen” and “eternal” (2 Cor 4:18). While we know preparing our hearts and minds during Advent is wise, it can quickly become lost in the midst of a thousand things calling for our attention.
PREPARING OUR HEARTS FOR ADVENT
If we desire to point our children to Jesus this Christmas, then we need to take time ourselves to reflect upon why we and the world needed Jesus to come. Advent is a time to contemplate our desperate need for a Savior—and that’s what makes the birth of Jesus astounding. Out of deep love, God took on human flesh and dwelt among us because we needed to be rescued. When we fill up on the Word, then we have something to pour into our children.
Whether you go through an Advent book or reflect on different Bible passages leading up to Christmas, be sure to have a realistic plan in place. If you don’t feel as though you have the time to coordinate anything else for your family, share a tidbit from what you learn in your personal Bible reading or study with your kids.
In addition, factor in what your family can handle in your current stage of life. Are you looking for something every day? Once a week? A new element to spice things up? Each year this may look different, but avoid comparing yourself with what others are doing. Instead, seek to be faithful in shepherding your children’s heart this holiday season—in whatever capacity fits well for your family dynamics.
ADVENT IDEAS FOR KIDS UNDER 5
Finding ways to bring children—especially those under the age of five—along in the Advent journey can take some resourcefulness, but it doesn’t have to be a complex task to add to our to-do list. We can find simple ways to prepare our children’s hearts for the coming of the Messiah.
Whether we’re looking for a fresh way to teach our children or struggling to figure out how to engage our young kids this Advent, we can find point even the littlest heart to the eternal Truth in the Bible. Here are some ideas to help engage your children this Advent:
1) Use a toy (or magnet) nativity set to allow toddlers and preschoolers to re-enact the Christmas story.
Having a good toy nativity set goes a long way for little ones. As you read through parts of the Christmas story with your kids, you can help them re-enact what they heard. When my boys were in preschool, they loved playing with our sets (a Fisher Price plastic set and a Melissa and Doug wood set) and I could hear them re-telling the story of Christmas during their own playtime.
You can also consider some fun nativity scene magnets. What little ones don't love playing with fridge magnets?
2) Have quality Christmas storybooks around the house to read together.
During the holiday season, many things will be competing for your family’s attention, but a solid Christmas storybook will help point your kids to Jesus. I recommend books published by The Good Book Company such as: The Christmas Promise: A Captivating Retelling of the Birth of Jesus by Alison Mitchell; The Littlest Watchman: Watching and Waiting for the Very First Christmas by Scott James; and A Very Noisy Christmas: A Fun Retelling of the Nativity for Young Children by Tim Thornborough.
3) Use a well-crafted and age-appropriate children’s Advent calendar.
The excitement of having something to open up each day during Advent helps build anticipation around hearing Truth. I recommend The Littlest Watchman Advent Calendar as it includes a devotional booklet that introduces people from Jesus’ family tree and pairs well with the book. Another option is a free Advent calendar you can print off from Wycliffe Bible Translators that guides your family through gradually reading through the Christmas story and low-key activities to do together during the month of December.
4) Add an international element to your Advent season.
Wycliffe Bible Translators created a free Aboriginal Dot Art Nativity Scene. Three different nativity scenes make simple Christmas art projects for preschoolers. You could even read a Christmas storybook to keep little hands busy while they work on these Australian-inspired artwork.
5) Incorporate Christmas music that will point your kids to the coming of Jesus.
Singing uniquely speaks to our hearts and helps us remember Truth. Select a Christmas hymn to focus on as a family this Advent. Listen to it daily and talk about the lyrics with your kids. By the end of the month your family will not only know the hymn well, but had time to reflect on its meaning.
Or listen to a Christmas album like Slugs & Bugs in the car or around the house. Slugs & Bugs integrates Scripture into their fun songs for kids, but also has two different Christmas albums: Sing the Bible Family Christmas or Christmas. These songs are a great way to celebrate the season while teaching about the coming of Jesus.
6) Create a Christmas paper chain to guide your family through the Advent season.
With green and red construction paper, you can easily make a festive paper chain to count down the days until Christmas. This visual tool has the same effect as an Advent calendar, but also serves as a slowly disappearing decoration. This idea was popular with my boys when they were in preschool. Each day your child(ren) can open one paper chain to read that day’s activity.
The paper chain is a great way to consolidate a variety of ideas. Each day you can determine what the focus will be for your kids and what fits your schedule. This also provides freedom to combine practical application to the Truth kids are learning.
Some examples of what could be written on each day of your paper chain: make cookies for neighbors, read a religious Christmas storybook, learn about how another country celebrates Christmas, go ice skating, sing a Christmas hymn together (and talk about its meaning), drive around the neighborhood to see lights (and mention how Jesus is the light of the world), read through a portion of the Christmas story from a children’s Bible, pick out a gift for a child in need, deliver a poinsettia to a homebound church member, pray for an unreached people group who doesn’t know who Jesus is yet, etc.
As we take steps toward investing into the spiritual lives of our families, may our hearts be drawn closer to Jesus and our Christmas celebration be richer for the time spent preparing for it.
7) Use Advent Cards for Little Hearts.
These 31 story cards help teach preschoolers the Christmas story in engaging ways. Whether you're waiting at the doctor's office or traveling, these Advent cards are perfect when you're on-the-go.
8) Try a plush Advent candle wreath.
Let your preschooler participate in the Advent wreath tradition without worrying about candles!
Whatever route you choose, may it be one that doesn't add stress but fosters connection together and anticipates the coming of Jesus.
PRACTICAL TAKEAWAYS
1) How do you plan to use the Advent season to prepare your heart for Christmas Day?
2) Which of the ideas do you think could fit (or be tweaked) for your family?
3) Spend a moment reflecting on 2 Corinthians 4:18b, “For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” How can you re-direct your heart toward the eternal during the upcoming holiday season?
* This adapted piece was originally published by Momma Theologians in November 2021.
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