Awhile ago a blog reader asked if I could create a simple Christmas countdown for children using the scriptures and the main figures of the Nativity story.
Each day in December leading up to Christmas a small part of the Christmas story is presented as told in the four Gospels of the New Testament, particularly Matthew and Luke. Some days a name by which Christ is known is discussed.
Every day read the scriptures first. Then use the rest of the guide to expand on the story told in the scriptures. There may be a link to a bible video online, or a craft idea, or an activity to do. These are all optional but will enhance your child’s understanding. I intentionally kept it very simple as this advent is geared towards children.
Often overlooked characters of the Nativity story, Simeon and Anna, are included. I don’t know why they get overlooked by most. I think they are important as they shared their humble witness that Jesus would be the Savior of us all. They did this before the Magi even make an appearance in the story.
I asked my daughter, Brownie, to help in this endeavor by drawing simple figures that children could identify with as they learned the story of the Nativity {the angels are my favorite}. These can be used in a variety of ways: as ornaments for an Advent Tree, printed on iron-on paper then transferred to white flannel to be used as flannel board figures, or decoupaged to blocks of wood for a child’s Nativity set.
May your Christmas season truly be Christ-filled as you help your children seek Him even as the Wise Men did and as you bear testimony to your children of the divinity of Jesus Christ just as the angels, shepherds, Simeon, and Anna testified.
Download the pdf file here
For some reason the links after December 15 aren’t working in the pdf file. I have tried to redo the pdf file several times all with the same result. I have posted all the links for each day below so you can still find the videos and crafts listed in the countdown. (All links updated for 2018)
December 1: An Angel Foretells Christ’s Birth to Mary
December 2: Mary and Elisabeth Rejoice Together
December 3: Make a donkey
December 4: Mary and Joseph Travel to Bethlehem and Christmas Wreath Bread
December 5: The Bread of Life and French Bread
December 6: One Night in Bethlehem and The Coat and Do You Have Room?
December 7: Baby in the Manger and The Greatest Gift and What Child is This?
December 8: Cardstock Manger and Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus Coloring Page
December 9: Shepherds Learn of the Birth of Christ and TP Shepherd Boy
December 10: The Good Shepherd (flannel board story) and Jesus, The Good Shepherd (coloring) and Jesus Christ, The Good Shepherd (video)
December 11: Hand print Lamb and Salt Dough Sheep
December 12: Paper Plate Angels and Angels From the Realms of Glory
December 13: Sugar Cube Temples
December 14: The Christ Child is Presented at the Temple
December 15: Kids and Christmas and Christmas Spirit
December 16: The Wise Men Seek Jesus and Wise Men Still Seek Him and Paper Plate Crowns
December 17: King of Kings coloring page
December 18: Paper Pinwheel Stars
December 19: Paper Stars and Names of Christ
December 20: No Links
December 21: Tiny Gift Boxes and What Shall We Give?
December 22: No Links
December 23: Continue in my Love
December 24: This is the Christ
December 25: The Living Christ
I just downloaded a simple “tell me the stories of Jesus” advent(from Sugardoodle), this will go perfect with it. Thank you for sharing! (and tell your lovely daughter she is very talented. and thank her for sharing that talent with us all!)
What an awesome thing to put together and offer for free! I appreciate that. I will be offering my own freebie, tomorrow.
Thanks for sharing this. It looks great!
This looks great! Thanks soo much for sharing!
Thank you for sharing this, it’s wonderful! I’m sure it was a lot work to put together, and your daughter’s artwork is beautiful. There are a few links at the end of the document that aren’t working, I wasn’t sure if you knew. Thanks again for sharing this – I will definitely be using with our family!
Ack! You’re right. Past Day 15 the links quit working. I’ll see if I can fix it. Thanks for letting me know!
This is my favorite one I’ve seen so far!! Thanks!
What an amazing way to truly remember the reason for the season! Thank you so much for sharing this! I look forward to doing this with my children and to sharing it with my friends!!
Thank you so much!! I tried a couple other ones I found online the last couple years and they fell so flat, even with DH and me. :-p I think this will be perfect!
This is so wonderful, thank you for all of your effort and for being willing to share. As usual you and your family are amazing, and very much appreciated!
Montserrat!!! thanks for using my suggestion. I am so excited about this!!!
Awesome! Thanks so much for the work and for Brownie’s contribution. I’ll be using this along with our Advent Light ’em up! ideas.
Thank you so very much for all the work you did to put this together and share!
Thank you so much for this. I really wanted to put together something for my kids this year but can’t seem to make the time. We’ve been mostly following this and it’s nice to have something already put together. Brownie’s drawings are amazing! What a lovely, talented girl you have.
We used your nativity advent this year and really enjoyed it. Thank you so much!
Aww, this looks awesome. 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
This is so great–Thanks!
Thank you so much for this, we have just started and my boys are riveted already 🙂
We just started tonight and are excited for the rest of the month. Thanks so much!
Love this. Thanks for sharing. A great family tradition to start!