Any Christians out there looking for ways to observe Advent with children?

[SilentMammoth]

Hi everyone,

I've just been planning how I'm going to do this! I have 4dc, no 5 due in the spring, aged 1,2,4&7.

I've picked four bits of Luke I'm going to cover with them: Elizabeth and Zachariah, the annunciation, Marys magnificat and Jesus birth.

I've planned craft and prayer activities and games round this as well, and we will be making Nativity bunting and prayer paper chains.

I'd love to hear anyone elses ideas if you want to share?

Ah not got there yet as had chaotic month but things hopefully calming down so shall be watching with interest.

Impressed with your level of planning though OP.

DS is four so my general plans had got no further than trying to counterbalance the strong views he has about acquiring "more" by thinking about people around the world who have much less, and the things God has given us which aren't transformers or Ben 10 toys!

Oh, hurray, people replied! Advent candle lovely, we do this at church.

Holly, I sooo know where you are coming from re the more more more culture, this is something I feel very strongly about and try very hard to counteract. But how? Last year we made up a stockingfor a big issue seller but really I think the challenge is keeping it year long and not wheeling stuff out in december. and tbh I'm a bit hmmm about shoeboxes, I mean, we do them and everything but I think they're naive and environmentally unsustainable. so any ideas you have on this point would be very welcome!

I just thought of another craft we are doing for the first time this year, writing the different names of Jesus on baubles and making a special wreath.

I'll come back and post when I've had a think. But we are def nicking the prayer paper chains.

As DS is only four and I work part time we had limited time but we have already started making Christmas cards together with the nativity. DS is a real talker and then thinks about thinks after so I used that as a springboard to talk about what's important at Christmas and what gifts god has given us. It's not a big structured activity but it worked well with a four year old on a one to one basis but might not be quite so successful in other scenarios

bump

we have a lovely nativity scene that is like those felt wall chart things you get, you know the ones that have time, weather, day of the week on them. Ours has 24 pockets alomg the bottom, each holding a felt character from the nativity story, with velcro on the back. The DCs take it in turn to put a character on each day to build up the story, although there is usually a fight to see who gets to put baby Jesus on! Very Christian

Have you seen "truth in the tinsel" my kids are a little young this year, but some friends are doing it and have been really positive about it. I'd put a link on, but I'm beyond rubbish at things like that especially on my phone.

truthinthetinsel.com/

Managed it!

We have this for the first time this year, which I'm looking forward to reading. A small story each day and then you can hang it on the Christmas tree.

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/0761152504/ref=mp_bxgy_p_dp_y?qid=1354180572&sr=8-49