Of course, being the procrasitnator that I am, I didn’t really think about the actual advent calendar set up until yesterday. So off to Hobby Lobby I went to get some supplies. As we arrived at the store Ethan (5) said “Hobby Lobby? This is a store full of boring stuff!” I suppose to little boys that is true. Anyway, I got everything I needed and worked last night. At this moment I’m still not completely done, but I wanted to throw this idea out there this morning in case anyone else wants to start an advent tradition with their family.

Supplies:
1/2 yard felt
1 spool embroidery thread
Needles for the thicker thread
1 spool of ribbon

Step 1: Cut out 25 pieces of felt, 6.5\

Step 2: Whipstich the sides of the felt to make an envelope

Step 3: Embroider numbers 1-25 for each day of Advent

Step 4: Cut a two small slits in the back of your envelope and insert the ribbon.

Step 5: Add all your envelopes to the ribbon. Then as each day passes, tuck the envelope inside itself so your family can easily countdown Christmas!

The most important part of the advent celebration is focusing on the coming of Christ to earth to save us. Setting aside time everyday between now and Christmas to discuss the importance of Christ coming to Earth is a wonderful way to instill the real meaning of Christmas into the hearts and minds of your family. A suggested reading schedule from Focus on the Family is as follows:

First Week
Sun. Is. 40:1-5
Mon. Is. 52:7-10
Tue. Is. 40:9-11
Wed. Gen. 3:8-15
Thu. Gen. 15:1-6
Fri. Deut. 18:15-19
Sat. Ps. 89:1-4

Second Week
Sun. Is. 11:1-10
Mon. Zech. 6:12-13
Tue. Mic. 5:2-4
Wed. Mal. 3:1-6
Thu. John 1:1-8
Fri. John 1:9-18
Sat. Mark 1:1-3

Third Week
Sun. Luke 1:5-13
Mon. Luke 1:14-17
Tue. Luke 1:18-25
Wed. Luke 1:39-45
Thu. Luke 1:46-56
Fri. Luke 1:57-66
Sat. Luke 1:67-80

Fourth Week
Sun. Is. 7:10-14
Mon. Luke 1:26-35
Tue. Is. 9:2-7
Wed. Mt. 1:18-25
Thu. Luke 2:1-20
Fri. Mt. 2:1-2
Sat. Luke 2:21-35

I plan to put a couple small candies in each day’s envelope as well as a slip of paper indicating which passage we will be reading that evening. I will be modifying this schedule to fit into the 25 days before Christmas.

Some of you might already have Advent traditions, I’d love to hear about them. Since I’m new to this any input would be greatly appreciated!

We Three Kings