Christmas time is a delightful time that many of us look forward to. Many of the traditions and events come easily and each year makes new memories. However, in all the busyness of the holiday season it can be difficult to intentionally teach and remind our families about the true reason we celebrate and about the amazing truths of the incarnation. It’s even harder to teach those truths over a prolonged period of time in an attempt to experience (in a small way) the waiting and longing that preempted the birth of Christ. Fortunately, there are some pretty incredible resources designed to meet that exact need and help families easily, yet effectively, learn and remember the important truths we celebrate at Christmas. Check them out below and consider picking one up to try with your family this year!
1. Advent Blocks
“A Christmas practice that helps kids — and parents — anticipate the birth of Jesus, and not just presents. This practice is a tangible, Bible-based, 25-day guide to creating an exciting environment in the home around God coming to earth. The Advent Blocks Traditions Set kit comes with 27 blocks, a 25-day guide, and a natural wood sliding top box for storage” – Lifeway
“We used the Advent Blocks in our home last Christmas and absolutely loved them! Our little kids, especially our 3 year old, was really engaged with the daily lesson and couldn’t wait to turn the block over and see the picture on the other side. I think this is really effective tool, especially for little kids, since it sits out all month and creates anticipation as they want to see what each of the blocks will look like.” – Carter Brown
Check them out here!
2. ABC’s of Christmas from Tiny Theologians
Tiny Theologians
“This set of ABC cards helps your kids understand what the holiday season is all about: Jesus! With simple and concise definitions on each card and Gospel-centered conversation prompts, you and your family can make the month of December all about Jesus.”— Tiny Theologians
Check out this resource here!
3. Family Tree of Christ Advent Cards from Tiny Theologians
Tiny Theologians
“This set of 25 cards walks you and your little ones through the family tree of Christ – from Abraham all the way to Jesus. Each colorfully illustrated card includes a short Scripture reading, exegetical explanation, and questions for discussion. When arranged in 5 rows of 5 cards, they create a beautiful mural of Christ’s family tree. This Advent season, your kids can learn about the unlikely people God called to be part of His plan to bring the Savior into the world, and how Jesus makes a way for us to be grafted into His family as well!” – Tiny Theologians
You can find them here!
4. The Jesus Storybook Bible
Sally Lloyd-Jones
When we polled the church for advent recommendations, Elizabeth Neely recommended reading from the Jesus Storybook Bible, starting at the beginning and ending on the story of Jesus’ birth. We think this is a great idea – and so do the creators of the Jesus Storybook Bible! They’ve actually created a guide that tells you which stories to read over the course of Advent, and each one comes with an ornament you can make with your kids. You can download the guide for free here!
5. Jotham’s Journey
Arnold Ytreeide
“Written as a devotional for parents to read to their children during Advent, Jotham’s Journey unfolds day by day until the exciting climax on Christmas. Each day’s installment of the story is followed by a short devotional which will challenge your family to share in Jotham’s discoveries.” – jothamsjourney.com
This is the first book in a 4 book series that are all developed for Advent.
6. Prepare Him Room
Marty Machowski
“Prepare Him Room takes a biblical, theological approach to the Old Testament promises and New Testament fulfillment in Christ in a way kids can understand. It includes an original Christmas short story and thirteen family Advent devotions—three for each of the four weeks of Advent and one more for Christmas—plus crafts, activities, and carols to sing together.” – New Growth Press
You can get this book here.
7. Unwrapping the Greatest Gift
Ann Voskamp
“A book that is like your own larger-than-life Advent Calendar, opening up to 25 wondrous stories that tell the family tree of Jesus, from Creation to His Coming.
Each day’s story has its very own ornament, one for each day of Advent — all unwrapping a bit more of a story that’s far better than the greatest fairy tale you’ve ever read —- because this story is all true.” – Christianbook.com
You can get this book here.
Raising little kids can bring some challenges to the Christmas season, but we hope these resources will help make it a little easier!