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8 Brilliant Advent Activities the Whole Family Will Love

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Advent Activities for the Whole Family

In search of Advent activities for your family? I know, how is this possible?! It feels as though we were just writing about getting back into the swing of the school year. But, here we are. Thanksgiving’s a recent memory. And now, Christmas is just around the corner. We’re getting pretty excited over here at ICM. So, we’ve put together a list of Advent activities to prepare you and your family for the wondrous mystery of Christmas.

Advent Activities

Advent Activities For the Whole Family

Bake a Loaf of Stollen: This traditional Christmas bread, with a line down the middle or side, symbolizes the infant Jesus wrapped up snug in swaddling cloths. Make a loaf with your children using this fantastic recipe. Even better, share loaves with friends and neighbors! No time to bake? Swing by a local bakery to pick one up. Explain the symbolism to your kids over a yummy, warm beverage.

Create a Birth Story Picture Book: Invite your children to create a picture book of their own that tells the birth story of Jesus. Use a children’s Bible or a Gospel account to help them remember all the parts to include. Then, use their picture book to encourage their own retelling of Jesus’ birth story. Additionally, try telling them their birth story as a way of relating it to their own life.

Advent Activities

Read Jesus’ Birth Narrative: At bedtime, read the Christmas story with your children. There are lots of ways to do this. For example, each of the Gospels contains a different account. Additionally, if you have a children’s Bible or two, include those in the mix. Looking for one? Try the Children of God Storybook Bible. We recently reviewed it here, if you’ve never heard of it! And invite your children to tell the story a few nights in their own words using their Birth Story Picture Book.

Create Wrapping Paper: First, using blue and purple (the liturgical colors of Advent), create wrapping paper with symbols of the Advent season. Advent symbols could include the Jesse Tree, Advent wreath, Advent candles, Advent calendar, Mary and Joseph, Mary’s donkey, the star over Bethlehem, the Magi, the Magi’s camels, the angel Gabriel who visits Mary. Then, wrap gifts with your artistic creation.

Advent Activities

Share Together During Devotionals: Still looking for a family Advent devotional? Never done a family Advent devotional? Check out what we just released here. An Illustrated Advent for Families is one way to slow down, ask questions, have fun, be intentional about how you spend your time and try new things. There are coloring pages for your children, but we’ve often found that parents enjoy coloring them as much (if not more…) as their children enjoy the coloring. There are simple but meaningful devotions for families to do throughout Advent, an Advent Wreath activity, and our Advent Calendar.

Make a Family Advent Wreath: Discuss the symbolism (and maybe even learn more of it yourself) as you work together to create an Advent wreath. Keep the wreath on your table throughout the season. Learn how to make one together with our Advent devotionals.

Light the Advent Wreath: At mealtime or before bed, join together in lighting the Advent wreath together. Explore this together using our Advent activities and devotionals for families.

Advent Activities

Make a Kindness Advent Calendar: Cut 6 pieces of construction paper into 22 strips, each strip measuring 2.25″ x 12″. (This is a piece of construction paper cut in fourths along the long edge.) Write on each strip a kind act. Brainstorm ideas with the kids. Once all 22 strips have an act of kindness written upon it, staple the first one into a circle. From there, loop the next piece of paper around the last loop and staple it to create a chain. Each day of Advent, tear off one ring and read it together. Later, if there’s been an opportunity to do the act of kindness, discuss with the kids what it was like.

FREE SAMPLE OF OUR ADVENT RESOURCE: You can check out a free sample of our Illustrated Advent for Families by clicking here.

Creative and Engaging Advent Devotions & Activities for Families

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This is the first truly “family friendly” devotional for Advent that I’ve found. There was something to which everyone in the family could relate – from our preschoolers all the way through adults. The coloring pages were wonderful! Even my little two-year-old was able to participate. My kindergartner read the devotional book as part of her reading practice at night. It was great that the words were easy and straightforward!
– Rev. Meredith Keseley, Senior Pastor, Abiding Presence Lutheran Church, Burke, VA

We are excited to announce the launch of our newest family Advent devotional resource: An Illustrated Advent for Families (2017 edition)!

Family Advent Devotional

This is our third year of providing families with a resource for engaging their children in faith formation at home during the Advent season. Our Illustrated Advent for Families and Illustrated Lent for Families have been used by thousands of families around the world, and we’re looking forward to sharing this new edition for 2017.

It can be difficult to find meaningful ways to engage our families in faith formation. It can sometimes feel awkward, we don’t always know what to do, and sometimes we have a hard time talking about our own faith stories.

FREE SAMPLE: Click here to download a free sample of An Illustrated Advent for Families.

An Illustrated Advent for Families

An Illustrated Advent for Families is one way to do that – to slow down, ask questions, have fun, be intentional about how you spend your time, and try new things. There are coloring pages for your children, but we’ve often found that parents enjoy coloring them as much (if not more…) as their children enjoy the coloring. There are simple but meaningful devotions for families to do throughout Advent, an Advent Wreath activity, and our Advent Calendar.

Keep reading to learn a bit more about the activities in this year’s edition, and to hear testimonials from people who have used our previous editions of An Illustrated Advent for Families.

Our family, like many, struggles to find opportunities for prayer and faith formation. My children were attracted by this resource, and even asked about when we were going to do the next portions. As a widow with three elementary-school-aged children, I was grateful for this resource, because it had a marvelous combination of flexibility and structure, and let me find ways to fit activities in as it became possible.
– Elise Erikson Barrett, Consultant with Indianapolis Center for Congregations

Family Advent Devotional

Family Advent Devotional

This year, our family devotions will walk participants through Advent by focusing on a different Advent hymn each week. The hymns will be accompanied by a set of Advent scripture texts and the traditional Advent themes of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love.

Incorporated into the devotion is a time for coloring the Advent Wreath candles if you would like to do so, however that can also be used as a stand-alone activity.

These weekly devotionals are written so they can be used by children of all ages (and adults as well), and we believe you’ll find questions and discussion topics in each of the devotionals that will work for your children, no matter the age. Each devotion includes scripture, an Advent hymn to listen to, a brief reflection and discussion questions, an activity a family can do over the week and a short prayer.

Having a weekly Advent activity rather than a daily one was helpful for our family. We liked spending a more meaningful block of time on this activity once a week rather than trying not to squeeze in a daily activity that was shorter but less meaningful. We have felt guilty in the past for missing a day of other Advent devotions, and knowing we had a week to complete the activity removed the pressure and stress.
– Emily Barlow, volunteer worship planner at The Well, Long Beach, MS

Coloring Pages

Obviously, we love coloring here at Illustrated Ministry. But it’s not just that we like getting messy with markers and crayons. It’s really the conversations that happen when you’re coloring that we treasure.

If you’ve used any of our products and resources before, you may have experienced some of these types of conversations with children. When they’re immersed in coloring, you’ll be amazed at what they will share with you.

Our coloring pages for this year’s Illustrated Advent for Families follow the traditional Advent themes of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. But they also connect with the Advent and Christmas hymns (some of which may be new to you) and you’ll find lines from the hymns incorporated into the coloring sheets as well.

As a Christian educator who is also a mom, I found this resource to be an excellent guide for our family and our congregation’s families during Advent. I appreciated how both my 8-year-old and 5-year-old could engage with the writings, questions, and prayers. The coloring is always a hit and creates space for conversations and questions around scripture…I’ve done a lot of research on Advent devotionals for families and hands down, An Illustrated Advent for Families is the best. Sound theology with content that has depth and engages families while understanding the realities of a family’s life makes this resource a must-have for Advent.
– Jenna Campbell, Director of Children and Youth Ministry, First Presbyterian Church, Stillwater, OK

Illustrated Advent Wreath

DIY Advent Wreath

This year, we invite you to create your own Illustrated Advent Wreath to aid you as you travel through Advent on your own or with your family. Each week of Advent, you will have the opportunity to color an Advent candle as you read through the devotional materials.

We encourage you to cut out the candles and display them in a creative way (make a poster, hang them on your refrigerator, post them near your doorway) to help you remember and reflect on Advent throughout the week. Or you can use our paper “wreath” and place each of the candles on the appropriate circle. It is our hope that our Advent resources will deepen your faith and connection with God and your family as you journey together through Advent.

Our family has used An Illustrated Advent for Families for the last several years, and each year it brings a new sense of joy and understanding to our family’s Advent season. Each Sunday night, we all sit down with the activities, light our family Advent wreath, and share in a special time together that helps start off each week of Advent with intention and focus. The devotions are well-written and thoughtful and the calendar has great ideas. But I think the coloring sheets are my favorite part overall. If nothing else, reading the scripture and coloring together offers a point in our week where we can reflect together, pray together, and meditate on Advent as a family.
– Courtney Willis, part-time contract minister with young parents, First Baptist Church, Greensboro, NC

Advent Activities for Families

While many Advent calendars today come with the promise of chocolates or toys behind each of the numbered doors, this Advent calendar is a little different. Our Advent calendar is more of an activity calendar — activities that can help you get into the Advent and Christmas spirit. Some of these activities will be great for your kids to do by themselves—others will require the whole family. And there are some activities that require you to get out of your house and go into your community.

We think these activities will be a lot of fun for your kids and your family and maybe some of the prompts will cause you and your family to get creative and make up other activities on your own.

Each of the weeks of Advent has a different theme and focus, and we hope that this will provide you with meaningful ways to get into the Christmas spirit.

The feedback from our congregation was that the resources were really great quality and easy to access. Parents felt that they could discuss the ideas without needing to check with the vicar first, and children were keen to undertake the activities. The quality of this product is wonderful! We loved that the devotionals were geared towards families, but weren’t in any way ‘dumbed down’ – adults felt they were just as relevant to them as to our youngest members.
– Deb Scoble, Authorised Lay Minister (Worship Leader), St Mary-the-Virgin Dover, Kent, United Kingdom

We hope you’ll take some time to check out An Illustrated Advent for Families, and let us know if you have any questions. If you’d like to download a sample of the resource to check out before you purchase, you can click here.

10 Powerful Ways to Avoid Holiday Burnout

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Avoid burnout this holiday season, maybe for the first time ever. The holidays are such a busy time in the church. On the one hand, it’s a series of weeks that hold fun, tradition and connection. And on the other, the unrealistic demands placed on church leaders can make the “most wonderful time of the year” kind of a nightmare. Come January, you’re depleted, frustrated and wondering if you can keep doing this to yourself and your family.

It doesn’t have to be this way! Read on for a list of ideas we’ve come up with to help you avoid burnout and cultivate wholeness. Don’t forget to share in the comments what you have found helpful in your own journey!

avoid burnout

How to Avoid Burnout at the Holidays

Take care of yourself. Self-care is so important in order to avoid burnout. First, make rest a priority. Second, eat a variety of healthy foods to give your body the fuel it needs to do its work. Additionally, avoid foods high in sugar, which cause inflammation and fatigue. Third, exercise by doing something you enjoy. Fourth, unplug. Fifth, be still in the presence of the Divine through prayer and meditation.

Look to God for approval. You are already good, worthy and loved deeply to your core. You can only do your best, and how much or the quality of what you produce doesn’t increase any of these. Though there is helpful constructive criticism, you are incapable of satisfying all people. Remind yourself of this often in all situations, whether things are going amazingly well or you’re receiving criticism.

Do non-ministry activities. First, throughout the holiday season, get involved in things that are not associated with the church. When you’re busy and much of your energy is required, carve out time to enjoy something outside of ministry. For example, take bike rides, make art, color, read a book, do yoga, cook a favorite meal, write poetry, go see a movie.

avoid burnout

Delegate. You cannot do it all on your own. First, you will find energy and avoid burnout doing the things you’re naturally gifted to do. Second, there are countless people in your congregation who are incredibly gifted and would find purpose in being a part of tasks. So, invite others to become involved. You likely need to do far less than you have on your plate.

Lower your expectations. Often times we are our own worst critic and hold ourselves to an unrealistic, Pinterest-driven standard of perfection. Stress can come from our own demands. First, in lowering your expectations, you invite yourself to be more realistic in their expectations. Second, we encourage awareness in ourselves and others of the true priorities of the season.

Understand your place as pastor. The church you serve isn’t your church. Theologically and historically it’s God’s church and practically speaking it’s your congregants’ church. Consequently, you, as a ministry leader, are a guide and facilitator of God’s work. But, it is up to the people in the pews to be the church they hope for.

avoid burnout

Place your work in perspective. You are one person in the long life of the Church working within a deeply rooted institutional culture. During the holidays, and always, make decisions for the long-term health of the faith community. Moreover, understand you won’t alone shift its course. And find peace in realizing that you’re important but not necessary for the evolution of any church community.

Find time with family and non-church friends. The holidays can be a season of such demand on ministry leaders’ time. Make it a priority to spend time with your family to avoid burnout. Additionally, block out time with friends who don’t go to the church. This keeps you grounded and restores your energy. Furthermore, it simply helps you enjoy the holidays for what they are rather than the work they require of you.

Say “No” more often. In spite of what you or your congregation might assume, you aren’t needed at every holiday activity. Decide where you do need to be, then where you want to be. And say no to everything else. You have the power to set boundaries that invite your own flourishing. And consequently, you’ll be even more effective in your work.

Unplug. Take time every week to turn off all your devices and be present to your surroundings. Fill the time with something restorative. And be sure to tell the important people when this is happening. This unplugging practice lowers anxiety and will increase your sense of groundedness in a season that can feel frantic.

avoid burnout

Be Well

It’s our hope as you move into the months ahead that you find rest for your mind, body, and soul. We hope you avoid burnout but even more that you experience joy and wonder. We all hold some power in creating the life for which we long. So, be protective of your time, energy and relationships. This upcoming season is a gift for you to relish, too.