An easy, pick-up and go guide for your family to experience the wonder and joy of advent as you focus on the true reason for this season – Jesus!
Dear Friends,
Celebrating Advent has become one of our family’s favorite Christmas traditions and we are excited to invite you into this life-giving tradition as well and for the beautiful memories your family will build together!
It’s a chance to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the holidays to gather around the magic and beauty of candlelight as you share the Scriptures, your hearts, a song, and a Christmas story each evening.
Our children never want to miss a night of advent celebration in our home because of the magic and joy we all experience together. It is truly the highlight of our season, and we pray it becomes a highlight of yours as well!
So what is exactly is advent?
The word “Advent” means coming and it is a time to celebrate the coming of Christ – both his first coming and his second coming that we eagerly await. It is a time to pull away from the distractions and busyness of life and to fix our eyes on Jesus – the one who was, who is, and is to come. Our source of true hope, joy, and peace.
During the first two weeks of Advent, this guide will help you focus on Christ’s second coming and build your excitement for what He has promised for that day. We prepare our hearts for his coming, making sure we are ready for his return.
During the second two weeks of Advent, the guide will help you focus on Christ’s first coming and the Christmas story - how God prepared the way and sent His son in the humblest of ways into our hurting world to save all who would put their trust in Him.
The guide culminates with a special Christmas Eve Candlelight Celebration as you complete the Christmas story with readings, singing, candles and dessert! This celebration is a treasured night in our home and one of our favorite traditions!
What’s inside your Family Advent Guide:
“He’s Coming!” will lead you through 25 days of advent (starting Dec. 1) and then culminate in a fun Christmas Eve Celebration and a final reading on Christmas Day.
Each day as your family gathers around your advent candles and twinkle lights, the guide will walk you through this flow:
Each day as your family gathers around your advent candles and twinkle lights, the guide will walk you through this flow:
A Scripture to Read:
Pick someone to read the Scripture out loud for the group. We included the entire Scripture on the page in large font so no one needs to scramble looking for a Bible or their glasses 😉.
A Question to Talk About:
A question is provided to help you dive deeper into the passage, strengthen family connections, and share your hearts with each other. We love to go around the circle and give everyone a chance to answer.
A Song to Sing:
A song and lyrics are provided for you to sing together. The song chosen goes with the theme of the Scripture for that day, but you can substitute a favorite Christmas song instead. Enjoy the simplicity of singing acapella as a family or use the included QR code to sing along to a YouTube version with lyrics.
*Optional – Read a Christmas Book:
We love to end our evening with a Christmas picture book. One child picks a wrapped book out of our advent basket and opens it. This is a collection of our treasured favorites from all the years. We read it as a family and then the kids head off to bed with a candle lit from the advent candles. The guide includes links to our favorite Christmas books if you’d like to incorporate this activity into your tradition.
Samples from a couple of the days:
"When Kierra introduced our family to celebrating advent in an age appropriate and sincere way my family was hooked! My two active boys asked to do advent every night and looked forward to reading and celebrating the anticipation of Jesus together. Kierra’s resources provided an easy way for ALL family members to engage and celebrate the real reason of the season. I’m beyond grateful for this new tradition that will continue in our family for years to come!!"
"When Kierra introduced our family to celebrating advent in an age appropriate and sincere way my family was hooked! My two active boys asked to do advent every night and looked forward to reading and celebrating the anticipation of Jesus together. Kierra’s resources provided an easy way for ALL family members to engage and celebrate the real reason of the season. I’m beyond grateful for this new tradition that will continue in our family for years to come!!"
- Tiffany S.
- Tiffany S.
"We loved this advent guide! It was our favorite part of December. The guide gave us a rhythm we looked forward to every night and brought such rich intentionality to an often busy season. We would light a fire, do the devotions and worship, and enjoy quality family time. The kids looked forward to this each night and it allowed the conversation about the true meaning of Christmas to be central. Thank you for blessing our family with this!"
"We loved this advent guide! It was our favorite part of December. The guide gave us a rhythm we looked forward to every night and brought such rich intentionality to an often busy season. We would light a fire, do the devotions and worship, and enjoy quality family time. The kids looked forward to this each night and it allowed the conversation about the true meaning of Christmas to be central. Thank you for blessing our family with this!"
- The Balzers
- The Balzers
“I had been wanting to do an Advent celebration for years but really didn’t know what to do. Now that our 3yr old daughter is old enough to be excited about the season, your guide was perfect! Now it’s a week after Christmas and she’s still asking to do advent every night! I’m actually thinking about morphing it into a bedtime ritual of lighting candles and talking about our day and giving thanks. I think it will be very grounding which is what we loved about doing Advent!”
“I had been wanting to do an Advent celebration for years but really didn’t know what to do. Now that our 3yr old daughter is old enough to be excited about the season, your guide was perfect! Now it’s a week after Christmas and she’s still asking to do advent every night! I’m actually thinking about morphing it into a bedtime ritual of lighting candles and talking about our day and giving thanks. I think it will be very grounding which is what we loved about doing Advent!”
- Sarah
- Sarah
Once you check out, you will receive a downloadable PDF that you can print yourself or have printed and spiral bound with our partner Humble Heart Press for 10% off with code "JOYFUL"
I’m excited for your family to experience the joy and wonder of advent together, build deeper connections, and delight in the true reason for this season – Jesus our Messiah!
May journeying through this guide and celebrating advent together become a treasured and life-giving tradition in your home!
With Love,
Kierra
