More Advent devotions with activities that could be used by families with young children as well as families with just adults.
Rotation.org has a couple of related topics full of Advent "at home" resources that can also be used in church. Check our full menu.
Some of the following are free, some cost. I've included some of my own review notes. This first group includes Advent "devotions" that can culminate in an at-home Christmas Day worship.
Illustrated Children’s Ministry Advent Journey Devotion Guide
This guide has the advantage of having a devotion for Christmas Day (and also Epiphany) included. Sample available online. This is a once a week devotion, so it would not be as demanding or overwhelming for “beginners;” it does not provide a daily option for those who want more. Each devotion has a kid-friendly version and an adult version. (I would suggest we accompany it with Illustrated Children's Ministry's small 8.5x11 coloring sheets for at home and also possibly large coloring posters at church) https://store.illustratedchild...ariant=3268839440412
Illustrated Advent for Families
By the same publisher as above. Daily devotion for families for all of Advent. Includes activities, coloring sheets, daily Advent calendar, cut out crèche scene. New ones every year; may not use the same scripture as the poster art and devotions listed above. Illustrated Ministry family resources (Link is to family page – this year’s will be similar, to be released in November.) Purchase pdf and then we will need to make copies.
Advent Activities & Worship Service for Families
This page at the Florida Conference United Methodist website has a list of activities for families to do at home, as well as an excellent weekly worship with Advent candle lighting and also daily discussion questions that would work well with families with or without children. You could rewrite to insert your own hymn – otherwise, no changes needed. Includes Christmas Day.
A Guide to Making Various Types of Jesse Trees
A daily family devotions (and "deeper" devotions for adults), patterns for ornaments, plan for an intergenerational Advent Event, and good explanation of Jesse Tree. https://www.rca.org/jessetree Goes through Christmas Day.
Two other things I found that do not include Christmas Day activities:
- Blog listing ten books (some are digital books) with daily advent devotions: http://www.marieosborne.com/10...-advent-devotionals/
- Nice weekly devotion starter with discussion question – includes suggestion to mail (or email) each week to families. http://childrensministry.com/a...mas-weekly-mailings/
Advent devotions that use the popular Jesus Storybook Bible from Zondervan
Redeem the Tree -- Uses Jesus Storybook Bible. 24 days with good discussions and activities, including an advent wreath. https://amummysmusings.files.w.../redeem-the-tree.pdf Does not include Christmas day. (Activities may be too big and involved for most to keep up with.) Blog introduction https://amummysmusings.wordpre...u-do-this-christmas/
Very Cute Idea! – felt ornaments – photos, but no patterns. Too involved a craft, no discussion. Follows JSB http://saramblings.blogspot.co...jesus-storybook.html
Another JSB 24 day calendar – with art from JSB book for advent calendar: http://joyfullyweary.blogspot....nt-calendar.html?m=1
Another 24 day Jesse Tree which was adapted to use JSB
http://keepinglifecreative.com...-tree-advent-project
https://www.teacherspayteacher...dvent-Project-436602
https://www.teacherspayteacher...oject-Add-ons-441037
- pdf with color pictures to print and use – Excellent artwork!! Instructions for using these: http://kelleighratzlaff.com/li...sus-storybook-bible/
Great colorable JSB ornaments - jpegs online (only 24 again) https://redheadjulie72.wordpre...sus-storybook-bible/
