Introducton Advent s a tme to wat for Jesus and to prepare for hs comng at Chrstmas. People all over the world wat and watch n dfferent ways for Jesus comng. You wll learn about some of them n ths book. You can use the actvtes for each day of Advent as a way to prepare your heart for Jesus and for the joyful celebraton of Chrstmas. Begn by sayng the prayer on the back cover. Use the prayer by yourself or wth your famly each day durng Advent. It wll remnd you to wat for Jesus wth love and hope. TWENTY-THIRD PUBLICATIONS A Dvson of Bayard; One Montauk Avenue, Sute 200; New London, CT 06320; (860) 437-3012 or (800) 321-0411; www.23rdpublcatons.com ISBN: 978-1-62785-116-9 Copyrght 2015 Kathy Hendrcks. All rghts reserved. No part of ths publcaton may be reproduced n any manner wthout pror wrtten permsson of the publsher. Wrte to the Permssons Edtor. Prnted n the U.S.A.
Advent s a tme to prepare for Jesus comng The Bble tells us about John the Baptst. He was a prophet who told people to watch and wat for Jesus comng. How wll you wat for Jesus ths Advent? Use the code to fnd out what John the Baptst sad. Jesus, help me to make ths Advent a tme of joyful watng for you. Sunday November 29 FIRST WEEK 8 9 3 8 1 9 3 10 5 3 11 1 12 7 4 10 5 3 6 7 9 2 A D E F H L O P R T W Y 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 2
We jon wth others n watng for Jesus comng All over the world, people celebrate Advent. They gather n ther homes and churches to wat for the comng of Jesus at Chrstmas. Wrte a prayer for people of the world who celebrate Advent. Wrte your prayer n the globe and then decorate t. Jesus, let your love and peace be wth all people of the world. Monday November 30 FIRST WEEK 3
The Advent wreath There are four weeks n Advent. An Advent wreath remnds us that Jesus s comng. We lght a new candle each week durng the season of Advent and say a prayer. Ths helps us to remember to wat for Jesus wth love and joy. Draw four candles on the wreath. Color three of them purple and one of them pnk. Tuesday December 1 FIRST WEEK Jesus, help me to remember to make each day n Advent one of love and joy. 4
We wat for Jesus wth people we love Wednesday December 2 FIRST WEEK In the weeks before Chrstmas, famles share many tradtons. Some of these nclude specal foods. Sharng our specal tradtons brngs us together wth those we love. What are some specal foods your famly shares at ths tme of year? Draw a pcture of ths food on the plate. and Thank you, Jesus, for the gft of good food those who share t wth us. 5
We remember those n need durng Advent Durng Advent many parshes do somethng specal for chldren who do not have homes or enough food to eat. Ask your parents to help you fnd out what your parsh s dong to help those n need ths Advent. How can you and your famly help? Fll the Chrstmas basket wth somethng you thnk a chld n need would lke to have ths Chrstmas. Jesus, bless all chldren and ther famles who are n need ths Advent. Thursday December 3 FIRST WEEK 6
We pray wth the psalms durng Advent Frday December 4 FIRST WEEK The psalms are prayers from the Bble. We can say them or sng them to show our love for God. Durng Advent, we use psalms that remnd us of God s great love. Fnd these three words n the puzzle: LORD, MERCY, LOVE. Use them to fll n the words to the psalm. W Q O R D T E V N M E R C Y R L G H E Q V B Y F A P L R L E H T L O V E E A L O R D T X Z, show us your and. Psalm 85 to Jesus, help me to remember to pray you each day durng Advent. 7
Sant Ncholas Day Sant Ncholas was a bshop who loved chldren and took care of the poor. In the country of the Netherlands, chldren celebrate Sant Ncholas Day. At nghttme they set out ther shoes and n the mornng they wake up to fnd them flled wth nuts, candy, and other gfts. Fnd the two shoes that are exactly alke. Cross out the ones that don t match. Bless all chldren n the world, Jesus. Saturday December 5 FIRST WEEK 8
Mary sad yes to God s plan Sunday December 6 SECOND WEEK An angel appeared to Mary and told her she would be the mother of Jesus. Mary sad yes to God s plan wth joy and an open heart. How can you open your heart to Jesus ths Advent? Unscramble the letters to fnd the words the angel spoke to Mary. O D T O N E B R A F D I A, R M A Y, R F O U Y O V E H A N U F O D R F O V A H W I T D G O. Luke 1:30 and Jesus, open my heart help me to follow you. 9
We sng about our joy durng Advent Chrstmas carols are songs we sng durng Advent and Chrstmas to show our joy. Some of these songs tell about the brth of Jesus. Some descrbe fun thngs about Chrstmas. What s your favorte Chrstmas song? Use the clues to guess the name of these popular Chrstmas carols. Draw a lne from the clue to the name of the song. Shake these to make a joyful sound He plays a muscal nstrument Buld one of these on a wnter day He helps Santa pull hs slegh Jesus, let my heart sng wth joy as I wat for you ths Advent. Monday December 7 SECOND WEEK Lttle Drummer Boy Rudolph the Red-Nosed Rendeer Jngle Bells Frosty the Snowman 10
Famles prepare for Jesus comng Advent s a specal tme to enjoy beng together wth our famles. What does your famly do to celebrate Advent and prepare for Chrstmas? Connect the dots to fnd somethng famles lke to decorate together. Tuesday December 8 SECOND WEEK the Thank you for my famly, Jesus, and for all people who love and care for me. 11
We can share the lght of Jesus Jesus taught that all of us can be a lght of love for others. Durng Advent, we use candles and offer prayers to remnd us of the ways we can let the lght of Jesus shne n us. Wrte or draw somethng that shows how you can let the lght of Jesus shne n you durng Advent. Jesus, help me to let the lght of your love shne through me. Wednesday December 9 SECOND WEEK 12
Jesus taught us to be peacemakers Thursday December 10 SECOND WEEK Durng Advent, we pray n a specal way for peace throughout the world. We can be peacemakers by dong small thngs each day to show our love for Jesus. Crcle the ways you can be a peacemaker. Cross out the ways that don t show how to be a peacemaker. Insst on havng your own way rather than sharng wth others. Say you are sorry when you hurt someone s feelngs. Pck up your toys wthout beng asked by your parent or teacher. Stomp out of the room when your mother asks you to help clear the table. Share the last cooke wth your lttle brother. n Jesus, help me to be a peacemaker my home and school. 13
The Jesse Tree The Jesse Tree helps us prepare for Chrstmas. Symbols on the tree tell about the people and the thngs that happened before Jesus was born. Readng stores from the Bble s another way we wat for Jesus durng Advent. What stores do you know from the Bble? Draw one here. Frday December 11 SECOND WEEK Jesus, bless all the people n my parsh who are watng and watchng for you ths Advent. 14
Mary shows us the way to follow Jesus Saturday December 12 SECOND WEEK On ths day, people n Mexco celebrate a specal feast of Mary the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. They celebrate wth specal foods and decoratons as they thank God for Mary s love and kndness. Mary shows us the way to follow Jesus by beng knd and carng. In each of the flowers, wrte somethng you can do ths Advent to be lke Mary. Mary loved you wth her whole heart, Jesus. Help me to be lke her and to treat others wth love and kndness. 15
Elzabeth and Mary shared ther joy Elzabeth was the cousn of Mary and the mother of John the Baptst. Mary vsted Elzabeth, and the two women shared ther joy wth one another. How can you share your joy as you wat for Jesus ths Advent? Use the key to fnd the words Elzabeth sad to Mary. Jesus, watch over all mothers and ther chldren. Sunday December 13 THIRD WEEK A B E D G L M N O R S U W Y. 16
Sant Luca Day Monday December 14 THIRD WEEK In Sweden, famles celebrate Sant Luca Day. The oldest daughter dresses n a long, whte gown and serves coffee and treats to members of her famly. Durng Advent, there are many ways we can serve our famles and frends. Fll n a lst of thngs you can do to serve three dfferent famly members or frends ths Advent. I wll serve by I wll serve by I wll serve by of Help me to care for others through acts servce and kndness, Jesus. 17
The Holy Famly Mary, Joseph, and Jesus are called the Holy Famly. They trusted n God to protect and care for them. How does God care for your famly? Wrte a prayer for your famly on the card. Share t wth your famly. Tuesday December 15 THIRD WEEK Jesus, bless all famles throughout the world and help them to trust n your love. 18
We lsten to the story of Jesus brth Help the chldren fnd ther way to the Holy Famly. Wednesday December 16 THIRD WEEK In Mexco, people celebrate Las Posadas, whch means the nns. They go from house to house lookng for a place of shelter, just as Mary and Joseph dd. Once they are welcomed, they pray and share specal foods. Tellng about the story of Jesus brth s another way we celebrate Advent. wth Bless all famles, Jesus, and fll ther homes joy and peace. 19
The O Antphons are specal prayers for Advent An antphon s a short prayer that we can sng or say. The O Antphons are specal prayers for Advent. Each one begns wth O, such as O Wsdom or O Lord. These prayers ask Jesus to come and be wth us. There are seven O Antphons one for each day from now untl Chrstmas Eve. What can you do for the next seven days to show how you are watng for Jesus? Fll n the lst below. DECEMBER 17 DECEMBER 18 DECEMBER 19 Thursday December 17 THIRD WEEK DECEMBER 20 DECEMBER 21 DECEMBER 22 DECEMBER 23 O Jesus, show me how to wat wth hope for you durng ths week before Chrstmas. 20
Wrtng a message to Jesus Frday December 18 THIRD WEEK In Germany, chldren wrte letters to Jesus nstead of to Santa Claus. They ask Jesus for presents. The best gfts are ones that make us more knd and lovng. These are presents for the heart. What knd of gft would you lke Jesus to gve to you ths Advent? Wrte a letter to Jesus and ask for a gft for your heart. the Thank you, Jesus, for gvng us gft of yourself. 21
A natvty scene remnds us of Jesus brth A natvty scene s also called a crèche. It s a scene that depcts the tme when Jesus was born. Many famles place a natvty scene underneath ther Chrstmas trees. When we lsten to and tell the story of Jesus brth, we remember how much he loves us. Number the peces of the story of Jesus brth by placng them n order. Then draw the correct order of scenes n the cartoon panels. Joseph cannot fnd any room n the nn Jesus s born n a manger Joseph and Mary travel to Bethlehem Thank you, Jesus, for lovng me so much. Saturday December 19 THIRD WEEK 22
Chrstmas s almost here! Sunday December 20 FOURTH WEEK After Jesus was born, angels appeared to shepherds n a nearby feld. They told the shepherds the good news of Jesus brth. As Chrstmas draws near, we gve thanks and prase to God for the gft of Jesus. Fll n the spaces wth the mssng words to fnd the message the angels gave to the shepherds. _ to _ n the _. God hghest Glory as Jesus, my heart s full of joy Chrstmas draws near. 23
God took care of the Holy Famly God sent an angel to tell Joseph to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt. They would be safe from the cruel kng who wanted to hurt Jesus. It was a hard journey, but Joseph and Mary trusted n God s love and care. Help the Holy Famly fnd ther way to Egypt by followng the path n order of the alphabet. Monday December 21 FOURTH WEEK A L M G E J B W K S T H L P C X Q R U V F E D Y P K J W G A Z N O H Y X H I J M F G Z I X B K L C K M O Q V E V Jesus, watch over all famles who are n danger and n need of your love and protecton. 24
A star led the way to Jesus Tuesday December 22 FOURTH WEEK After Jesus was born, wse men came from far away to fnd Jesus and to honor hm. A brght star lt ther way through the dark nght. We can share the lght of Jesus by lovng and carng for others. as Fnd fve stars hdden n the pcture. Jesus, let your lght shne n my heart I prepare to celebrate Chrstmas. 25
Famles share wth others In some parts of Canada, famles hold cooke-bakng partes before Chrstmas. Every famly bakes a favorte knd of cooke and then comes together wth other famles to exchange cookes. It s one way famles share wth other famles durng ths happy tme of year. Fnd the pars of cookes that match and draw a lne to connect them. Thank you, Jesus, for my frends and famly. Wednesday December 23 FOURTH WEEK 26
Our watng s almost over! Thursday December 24 FOURTH WEEK Advent wll end tonght as we celebrate Chrstmas Eve. How have you watched and wated for Jesus durng the season of Advent? Chrstmas s flled wth joyful sghts and sounds. Use the pctures to help you fnd the words to fll n the crossword. q S E wat Jesus, thank you for Advent and for helpng me and watch for you wth love. 27
What gft wll you gve Jesus? When the wse men came to vst Jesus, they brought gfts to show ther love for hm. What gft can you gve Jesus to show love for hm ths Chrstmas? Draw a pcture n the box of the gft you wll gve Jesus. Thank you, Jesus, for comng nto the world. Frday December 25 CHRISTMAS DAY 28