This is an activity that works through the story of Christmas by using the alphabet (“A is for an angel, Gabriel, who began the story by singing”) and weaves in songs and lines of scripture!

The Giving Manger helps families shift the focus of Christmas back to giving. A piece of straw is placed in the manger for each kind deed or act of service performed. On Christmas Day, the Baby is placed in the manger filled with service and love. As your family works together to give gifts of service you will find your hearts and home filled with more joy during the holiday.

This is a list of ideas that family members of all ages can use to server others this holiday season (and beyond!)

This site has a free printable calendar and reading guide. So if you have the Jesus Storybook Bible (and if you have a kid in the Preschool class they will be getting their own on Sunday!) this is perfect!

This woman has a free printable download that I’ve used in the past. It has a small scripture to read everyday and is quite cute to display.

A weekly devotional for the entire family

I haven’t used this one before but I think it looks great. It has scripture to read everyday and some helpful tips on how to make your own advent calendar that even an uncrafty person like myself could manage.

Maybe you’ve heard of the Jesse Tree tradition, maybe you haven’t. This woman’s blog is super helpful – but fair warning! – it is a little labour intensive. So you have just over a week to get ready!

If you don’t have her adult devotional and you love beautifully contemplative writing you should order the book. But she also did a kids version that looks beautiful and I can imagine would be excellent.

A great challenge for the entire family!

Or, here is a blank template to make your own!

For the more experimentally inclined this is a series of activities related to Christmas that will also engage the scientifically curious!

A classic recipe for making ornaments, consider praying over each one you make, and gifting them to neighbours, friends, teachers, whoever!

Before you decorate your Christmas tree take time to bless the ornaments with this prayer, consider telling stories about everyone's favourite ornament!

A cool craft that also teaches a bit about art history–since Picasso was from Spain, you could use this as an opportunity to learn about traditions in different countries!

Another craft idea for making ornaments!

Even more ideas for crafting this holiday season!