Journey to Bethlehem

Welcome to our Advent Journey

The Invitation

Dear Friends, For several years now, my family and I have enjoyed a gentle, effective way to focus on Christ during Christmas. We begin our celebration each year on the day after Thanksgiving, when we prepare our home for the Christmas season and begin playing Christmas music. Within a few days, our yearly Journey To Bethlehem begins. We bring out the Christmas picture books, the children's nativities, and Christmas coloring pages. We bake and decorate and give to others. We sing together and read Scriptures about Christ. Each year, we are priviliged to invite our friends along for the journey. We hope you will join us!

How The Journey Began

Several years ago, I began searching for a simple daily Advent celebration for our young family. I tried several published Advent schedules, and discovered that none of these met the needs of our family. Either the readings were too long, or the words were to complicated, or nothing was included that would hold our youngest child’s attention. I set out to create my own simple Advent journey, published it to our family webpage, and announced it on a few of my favorite email groups. This is how the original Journey To Bethlehem came to be.

Journeying with Purpose

When I first heard about the practice of Advent, I was very skeptical. As I began to understand of what might actually happen during a nightly Advent service, I began to recognize the inherent value. My family and I would be joining together each evening for the purpose of reading Scripture together that would help us focus on Christ during Christmas. As long as we don’t make our Advent celebration a law, we are not crossing the line towards salvation by works. So while we try to be consistent with our Advent celebration each evening, each year we miss a night or two here and there. Some nights, the two year old wonders off during the Scripture reading. We are not legalistic about this event in our home, and it is truly something we all look forward to during the day.

We are not anticipating the advent of Christ's birth; as that happened 2000 years ago. We are celebrating the advent of Christ's birth; but also eagerly anticipating His Second Advent. The word advent means "coming" or "arrival." We pray Maranatha, which means Come Quickly, Lord Jesus. As a family, we begin to get excited about what God has done in the past and about what God will do in the future. The effect of this excitement carries over into every Christmas activity we experience. Our focus on Christ during Christmas has greatly benefited from an Advent style celebration and I hope you will find the same.

Starting the Journey

Whenever you are planning a big, month-long project such as this, it is important to keep the focus on joy and celebration. You need not do every activity. You need not fret if you miss a night here and there! If you wish to use an Advent wreath, consider making a basic one. For several years, our Advent wreath consisted of four tealight candles in glass candle cups! I was too worried about little fingers to put candles anywhere near greenery. We like to light one new candle each Sunday and continue lighting that candle throughout the week. The first week, we light one candle each night, the second week we light two candles each night, etc. We do not talk about the traditional themes of Advent candles. We do not worry about matching the colors of the candles with tradition, except to light a white candle for Christ on Christmas Eve. Whether or not you choose to light candles or even call this Advent is up to you. It would be a good idea to look ahead now, and choose the activities that fit your famifly best. In our family, if we finish ten or fifteen activities during the month I consider that a good year!

To make planning for activities easy, we have provided a supply list Acrobat PDF.

First Sunday of Advent: A Call to Worship and Celebration

November 30th
- Light of the World
  Collect one container for each family member to hold “darkness”, and one light for each family member. You can choose a flashlight, candle, lamp, battery powered lantern, etc. Instruct each member of the family to hold their can of "darkness" and their light. Then turn out all lights in the house. Ask everyone to "walk in darkness." for a bit. One by one, turn on the lights held by each person. Talk about the problems of darkness. How much help was your can of darkness? How much help was your light? How much darkness does it take to overcome the light? How much light does it take to overcome the light? What can we do to reflect Jesus light to others?
The Creator of Man

December 1st
- Prayer Chain Countdown to Christmas
  Have your child cut out 25 strips of red and green construction paper. On each strip have them write the name of a person or group they would like to pray for. (You write for younger children...) Help the child staple or glue the strips into a chain, alternating colors. The last day can be a prayer of Thankfulness to Jesus for coming into this world as our Savior.
The Fall of Man

December 2nd
- Star Ornaments
  To make an ornament like the one here, wrap one end of a 3-foot length of 18-gauge gold-colored craft wire around a pencil to form a hanging loop. With the loop at the top of a star cookie cutter, press the wire twice around the perimeter of the cookie cutter to form a star shape, twisting it around the hanging loop and using wire cutters (a parent's job) to snip off any excess. Remove the cutter. Now your child can complete the ornament by wrapping the wire outline with lengths of 20-to 24-gauge colored lightweight wire, securing the ends in place by wrapping them around the cookie cutter outline. Finally, tie with ribbon. Save the cookie cutter for later crafts. Hint: These make great Christmas gifts for extended family.
Redemption is Promised

December 3rd
- Christmas Scrapbook
  Since we were made in the image of our creator, we are creative beings and should use our creativity to bring God glory. If you have a digital camera, take pages of each day's craft during this advent journey. Print the pictures and allow your children creative license throughout the month to complete a scrapbook, either together or separately. Supplies can be inexpensive. Check out the clearance aisle at your favorite craft or discount store and get ideas for inexpensive ways to scrapbook on-line. For small children, you might want to pre-design simple pages with a spot where they can glue a pre-cut picture. Hint: Keep It Simple!!
A Prophet is Promised

December 4th
- Illustrate the Nativity
  Draw a picture to illustrate the birth of Jesus and share your pictures with each other. Make available paper pencils, crayons, markers, water colors, oil pastels, or colored pencils. Tell us the story in your picture; and why you chose to complete it the way you did.
A Virgin With Child

December 5th
- Little Stars
  Have your children cut two stars out of different colored construction paper, one larger than the other. For help, trace using a star shaped cookie cutter, then use the first as a pattern and enlarge it. In the smaller star, cut a hole in the center large enough for the face of the photo to show through. Trim the photo to the correct size and glue the smaller star on top of the photo, then glue the smaller star on top of the larger star. This creates a border effect. Add a hole at the top, and tie a loop of ribbon to make a hanger. Children can help glue the paper and decorate with glitter. Before you hang the star, write the words "I can reflect God's light to the world." on the star.
A Righteous Judge

December 6th
- Make Christmas Cards for Family and Friends
  Glitter Glue Star Cards:
  You will need 1/2 sheet of Dark Green, Red, or Burgundy cardstock per card, Silver or Gold Washable Glitter Paint or White or Off-white tempera paint, 1 (or more) star cookie cutters, 1 small disposable pie tin or other container larger than cookie cutter, and one Christmas message (see note at the end) printed 4 to a page on white or off-white paper, one paper cutter, 1 invitation size envelope per card (see note at the end for link.) Cut apart Christmas messages and trim edges about 1/8 inch all around with a paper cutter. Fold all the cardstock in half. Put the paint in the pie tin. Have your children dip the cookie cutter star into the paint and then press it onto the front of each card one or more times. A container that is only just slightly wider than the cutter, filled at least halfway with paint works best. After the cards are dry, come back and glue the Christmas message to the inside of the card, stuff envelopes, and mail. {Experiment with the first card to get the look you want; and then repeat that with each subsequent card. You can allow the children to make multiple imprints or just one, place the star on either side if you have older children; etc...)These will fit in the invitation size envelopes available in bulk at your local office supply store. A possible Christmas message might read: "May the light of His grace shine upon you during this Christmas season. Merry Christmas! The _________ Family. Be generous with the amount of paint in your container as the deeper the cutter will "dip" in the better the impression will be. Smaller cutters often create a bubble effect that fills the center of the shape on your card. Larger cutters will present an outline.
  
  Recycled Christmas Cards:
  These cards are friendly on the environment, since they re-use old Christmas cards! You will need 1/2 sheet of Green, Red, Blue or Burgundy cardstock per card, one Christmas message printed 4 to a page on white or off-white paper, one paper cutter, and one invitation size envelope per card. These will fit in the invitation size envelopes available in bulk at your local office supply store. A possible Christmas message might read: "May God’s Peace reign in your heart and your home during this Christmas season. Merry Christmas! The _________ Family. Fold each half sheet of card stock in half. Have your children cut the pictures off the fronts of all your old Christmas cards, and paste them to the front of the new cards! Cut the messages apart, and trim about 1/8” around each edge of the card messages. Glue the message to the inside, and sign if desired.
  
  Artistic Cards:
  Have your children drawn an illustration of Christ’s birth that you find inspiring or adorable? You can scan in the illustration, and print them four to a page. Then, cut them apart and trim 1/8” all the way around. You will also need 1/2 sheet of matching cardstock per card, one Christmas message printed 4 to a page on white or off-white paper, one paper cutter, and one invitation size envelope per card. These cards will fit in the invitation size envelopes available in bulk at your local office supply store. A possible Christmas message might read: "May God’s Gift in Christ inspire you during this Christmas season.” Cut the messages apart, and trim about 1/8” around each edge of the card messages. Fold each half sheet of card stock in half. Finally, have your children help glue the illustration to the outside front and the message to the inside of the cards.
The Second Sunday of Advent: Christ's Birth

December 7th
- Cinnamon Ornaments
  Mix 1 cup cinnamon and 1 cup applesauce with 1 Tablespoon of white glue. You want a consistency that can be rolled with a rolling pin but not quite as sticky or it will stick to your counter! Sprinkle counter with cinnamon and roll out dough and cut with cookie cutters. Cut a hole in shape with the straw so you will be able to hang them. Let dry about 24 hours. They shrink as they dry. Cut lengths of gold thread or pretty ribbon, make loops and hang. These will keep their scent for a few years. Refresh scent with cinnamon fragrance oil.
A Savior and Deliverer for All

December 8th
- Gifts for the Poor
  Choose and Buy Angel Tree gifts, or another local Christmas charity. Drop off at appropriate location.
The Sovereign Lord Cometh

December 9th
- Sing Christmas Carols
  Need a carol book? Try one of these: The Real Mother Goose Book of Christmas Carols by Scholastic, or Big Book of Christmas Songs by Hal Leonard Publishing Co. Use this day to practice for your later excursion to a local nursing home or your neighborhood. If you wish to go to a nursing home on a later date (this is scheduled on December 11th) please be sure to contact them now and ask permission!
Behold My Chosen One

December 10th
- Baking Together
  Bake the Christmas cookies or treats of your choice.
A Servant Brings Salvation

December 11th
- Caroling at the Local Nursing Home or Senior Center
  You might need to arrange this ahead of time with the activities director.
A Man of Sorrows

December 12
- Beaded Wreath Ornaments
  Thread 3 or 4 green beads, and then 1 red bead onto the pipe cleaner. Repeat this until most of the pipe cleaner (chenille stem) is covered. Form the beaded pipe cleaner into a circle, and then twist the ends of the pipe cleaner together to close. Add a loop of string on to hang as an ornament on your tree! Talk about how wreaths represent God's love and gift of eternal salvation through Jesus Christ; because they never end. Hint: Smaller wreaths work best for the tree, cut the pipe cleaners in half.
God's Spirit is upon Him

December 13
- A Christmas Play
  Plan and rehearse a Christmas play to be presented to your family on Christmas day. Come up with simple costumes and props using things you have around the house. Make sure everyone is happy with their role now so that you will have no tears on Christmas day.
Third Sunday of Advent: The Shepherds and the Angels

December 14th
- Amazing List
  Discuss what it means to be amazed. How is being amazed different from being afraid? Ask each person to list things he or she finds amazing. Share your ideas with each other. Take turns praising God until you have written your own Psalm of Praise as a family; or create a drawing to express praise to the Lord.
- Attend a Free Christmas Concert
  Many free concerts are offered during this season, from schools, colleges, private groups etc. Usually, many are on the second Sunday of December.
A Righteous Branch

December 15th
- Christmas Tree Poster
  Trace the children's handprints onto green construction paper. Cut out and glue (palm section) to a poster board in the shape of a Christmas tree. (fingers facing down) Next, curl the fingers out a little to make it 3-D. Then, decorate with various shapes (stars, circles, bells, etc.) cut from construction paper. I plan to cut stars and write each child's name on one. Add a star to the top and your tree is complete!
A Ruler Over Israel

December 16th
- Bookmarks
  Cut an old Christmas card to create a bookmark design. Cut a piece of construction paper and glue to back of card. Have each child write a verse on the construction paper side back of bookmark. Punch hole at top and tie ribbon.
Your King Is Coming

December 17th
- Pointy Star Ornament
  This Pointy star is made by collecting gumballs out of your yard (or someone else’s) and gluing in toothpicks of varying lengths, then spray painting with metallic spray paint. Follow directions at the link.
- Live Nativity
  Find A Live Nativity in your area and attend as a family. Plan ahead, if the nativity does not start until next week, mark it on your calendar now!
The Messenger is Sent

December 18th
- Sharing God's Gift
  (Choose one or more:) 1. Take star-shaped Christmas cookies and tracts to neighbors or Christmas cards with a gospel message to neighbors. 2. Make Christmas cards that glorify God together for teachers, neighbors and friends who do not know Jesus and mail them. 3. Sing carols in your neighborhood. 4. Volunteer at a local soup kitchen or shelter as a family. 5. Purchase Christmas foods for needy families and deliver them to your local food cupboard.
The Birth of John Foretold

December 19th
- Birthday Gifts for Jesus
  iPut lid on shoebox.. Have each child help wrap the box and secure with tape (younger children will need help) or decorate box with materials of children’s choosing. Adult should cut slit in top of box after wrapped and decorated. Explain to children that this is the box for Jesus' birthday gift. Each time they do something that Jesus would like, ask them to write it on a slip of paper or have an adult write it out (ex- sharing a favorite toy with a sibling, helping Mom..., etc). Tell them that this box will be opened first on Christmas morning and that all of the wonderful things that they did for Jesus will be read.
Beautiful Feet Bring Good News

December 20th
- Christmas Card Placemats
  Use old Christmas Cards or wrapping paper to create a collage place mat. Cut and glue the cards on construction paper, and laminate using clear contact paper. Cut the contact paper slightly larger then the construction paper, split the corners at an angle, and fold under. Add a second, smaller piece of contact paper to the back if desired.
Fourth Sunday of Advent: Prepare for God's Arrival

December 21st
- Getting Ready
  This activity is perfect to go with today's scripture. (Prepare ye the way of the Lord…make straight your paths...) Clean your home together so that you are ready to enjoy Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Emphasize the ancient tradition of cleaning your home to make sure it is ready for Christ. Discuss spiritual purity and cleaning out our hearts with God's help. A clean home can symbolize a clean heart.
Mary's Story

December 22nd
- Paper Stars
  Paper Stars You will need some lovely foldable paper for this activity. Follow the link in blue for directions to complete this project, and hang the finished product on your tree, from your ceiling or around your home.
Mary's Song

December 23rd
- 3-D Nativity Teamwork
  Using Modeling Clay, work together to build a nativity scene--including the manger, the people and the animals. As the whole family becomes immersed in the construction details, what a scene you all will create! Take plenty of pictures as the project progresses. You can place your nativity scene on a cookie sheet or tray for display.
Christmas Eve: Celebration of Christ's Birth

December 24th
- Christmas Eve Service
  Attend a Christmas Eve service as a family.

Bow of Bronze