Advent For Families

Christmas is right around the corner, and though we want our kids to know it’s all about the birth Jesus, that fact can easily get over-shadowed by all the hustle and bustle, parties, school events and gifts, great food and more. Just as it is important for us as adults to be sitting down with God’s Word daily, so it for our kids. Advent readings are a great way for families to read the Bible together and, in the midst of the craziness of Christmas, keep Christ at the centre of the holiday season.

There are so many different advent readings out there, but here are two that we’re making available for you as families.

Jesus Storybook Bible

One of our mom’s here at TAC shared a link with me to this awesome discovery. The Jesus Storybook Bible has 21 stories from the Old Testament that end talking about the birth of Jesus, and three stories from the New Testament about his birth. That’s 24 stories. Perfect! There is a printable reading plan and we will also have some printed and available for you to pick up this Sunday. (Copies of the Jesus Storybook Bible are available by donation in the Information Centre if you don’t already have one.)

God With Us

Last year we wrote our own Advent devotional following the model of the Jesse Tree. There are 26 readings (starting on November 30th) that walk through the genealogy of Jesus, looking at the Old Testament stories and seeing how they were all pointing to the coming of Christ, and ends with the New Testaments declaration of his arrival. There are readings for both younger children (ages 3-7) and older children (ages 8-12). We will also have these books available for you to pick up this Sunday.

Again, these are just tools to help us as we raise the next generation to know and love Jesus. If you have other great advent ideas, share them here in the comments!