An Illustrated Advent for Families: Preparing the Way
Note: This is a digital product. No physical product will be shipped to you.
This is a digital product. At the time of purchase, you will download a ZIP file that includes the PDF to print yourself. No products will be shipped.
Click here to download a FREE sample of this resource.
Experience an all-ages encounter with the Advent season!
In An Illustrated Advent for Families: Preparing the Way, you will be introduced to prophets–or God’s messengers–who helped prepare God’s people for Jesus’ arrival. You will also encounter individuals who faced the unexpected, trusting in the promises of God for their lives, continuing to prepare for Jesus.
Each week, you will have the opportunity to create time and space to prepare for Jesus through scripture readings, discussions, and activities. Our Advent devotions are based on passages from the Revised Common Lectionary readings but use of the Lectionary is not necessary.
What you will receive:
- Family Devotions: Five weeks of family devotions that are simple, but meaningful. They will walk you through Advent exploring the traditional Advent themes of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. You can find the complete scope and sequence below.
- Coloring Pages: Five coloring pages that celebrate the story of Jesus' birth and are great for kids of all ages.
- Advent Calendar: Our Advent Calendar features fun family activities to get you in the Christmas spirit. It's a manageable activity that won't strap you with a massive amount of things to do.
- Illustrated Ornaments: Beautiful paper ornaments that you can color and hang on your tree. This can be a fun craft for both families and churches to do together. This ornament activity is also available as a stand-alone purchase here.
Purchase Details:
After completing your purchase, you'll instantly receive a link to download a ZIP file that includes two PDF versions of all of the components in this resource (one that is "print-quality" and another that is easier to share with families in your community).
Additional details about the devotions:
Week One: Preparing to Bring HOPE
Jeremiah 33:14-16
Families will explore God’s everlasting promise to the world and reflect on the hope they can bring to others because of it.
Week Two: Preparing to Make PEACE
Luke 3:2b-6
Families will reflect on how God sent John the Baptist to prepare the way for Jesus and explore ways they can be peacemakers.
Week Three: Preparing to Have JOY
Philippians 4:4-7
Families will explore how to identify and find joy in the midst
of feeling anxiety or during anxious times.
Week Four: Preparing to Embrace LOVE
Luke 1:39-45
Families will discover how they can prepare for Jesus in their family and community by reflecting on the story of Mary and Elizabeth’s rejoicing together about their miraculous pregnancies.
Christmas Eve: Preparing for the Unknown
Luke 2:1-7
Families will listen to the story of how Mary and Joseph have traveled to Joseph’s hometown but find themselves without home and discuss how they can prepare when facing the unknown in their lives.
Christmas Day: Embodying Home
John 1:1-5,14
Families will encounter the announcement of Jesus’ arrival in a unique way through the Gospel of John and explore what it means to experience “home.”
Pricing
We aim to make the price of our products both accessible and fair, and so we ask that you select the appropriate option for your church size. While we don't have a way of verifying your church size, we trust that you'll make the correct selection. This ensures that we're able to continue to provide low-cost options for small churches with even more modest budgets.
More Advent Products
We have an ever-growing catalog of Advent products for both families and churches. If you'd like to take a look at all of our Advent projects, you can view them here.
And if you're looking for a quick craft for either your family or for a church program, check out these Advent activities: