Christ-Centered Family Advent Activities

Staying focused on Christ’s birth can be a challenge throughout the holiday season. Amongst the busy schedules, shopping, and presents, the incarnation of Christ gets lost. One way to bring the message of Christ into your holiday schedule is to build traditions with your family that help you focus on the Christmas story.

Take time to slow down and enjoy simple family moments. Use these cherished opportunities to have valuable spiritual conversations with your children. Many families enjoy making homemade ornaments together. It’s fun, cost effective, and a great opportunity to nurture your family’s faith.

Christmas Stars — Various directions and ideas abound for making star ornaments. Here's a star pattern that can be used to make homemade ornaments. Let your kids color them, punch a hole near the top, and attache to your tree with yarn or string.

While making the ornament, talk about the wise men’s journey to find the Christ child (see Matthew 2). Ask thought provoking questions such as: What do you think people follow today when they seek Christ? What can we learn from the wise men’s diligence? What hardships might they have endured as they traveled such a long distance to find Christ? The wise men brought 3 gifts—gold, frankincense, and myrrh—what can we give to God this Christmas?

Christmas Angels — Another possibility is an angel ornament. Download an angel pattern and print out as many angels as you would like to decorate. Younger children might enjoy coloring the angel with crayons, while older ones might prefer sprinkling glitter on each angel. Whole punch the wing, and loop some yarn or thread through the hole to make it suitable for hanging.

As you create your angels, talk about the angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary (see Luke 1). Many conversation starters are possible: What message did the angel Gabriel announce to Mary? What was so special about the baby that would be born to Mary? How do you think Mary felt when she heard the news? You might also talk about the angels that visited the shepherds (see Luke 2): Why were the angels’ tidings so joyous? What did the shepherds do after they visited baby Jesus? Why do you think their excitement was so contagious?

Sarah is the author of Bathsheba’s Responsibility in Light of Narrative Analysis, contributor to Vindicating the Vixens, and contributing editor for The Evangelism Study Bible. Some of her previous ministry experiences have included teaching and mentoring of adults and children in a wide variety of settings. Her small claim to fame is that she has worked with children of every age range from birth through high school over the past 20 years. She and her husband Ben reside in Richardson, Texas with their four children.