As we are about to enter the season of Advent, I thought this would be a good year to start using an Advent calendar to prepare for Christmas.
One of the traditions I’d like to ensure in our home is to incorporate the Christmas story throughout the holidays. I realized I probably knew T’was the Night Before Christmas better than I knew the actual Christmas story and I wanted to change that.
For this Christmas Story Advent Calendar, we are going to reveal a bit of the story each day until Christmas Eve when we will read the whole story together.
This version is really easy. All you need is:
- Green and red card stock cut into 3 x 5 pieces
- Decorative paper clips (see previous post here for tutorial on them) or clothespins
- Ribbon
- Removable hooks or nails
- Glue
- Christmas story and number print outs (included for you below)
I used several sources to write out the Christmas story in 24 small chunks. I even sent it to my pastor to make sure I told the story correctly and biblically 🙂 I attached it below, so the hard part is done for you. I also attached the numbers typed out to make it even easier. Just print and cut.
Advent Calendar Printable Numbers
Cut out the numbers and the portions of the story and glue them onto your cardboard pieces. The number on one side and the corresponding story part on the back.
Next, put two hooks or nails on both sides of your fireplace (or wherever you like, especially if you use your fireplace a lot).
Attach a strip of ribbon to each hook and hot glue a bow onto the hooks for decoration.
Then using your decorative paper clips or clothespins,
hang your story cards along the ribbon with the numbers facing outward.
Then, beginning December 1, simply turn one card over each day to reveal a portion of the Christmas story.
On December 24, your whole story is revealed and you can all read it together as a family.
I hope you have fun with this idea. We can’t control how society is commercializing all of our holidays, so it’s up to us to keep the true meaning of Christmas alive.
xo
This is an awesome idea! I’m pinning this one! Merry Christmas 😀
Thanks!
Cute! Great photos. And I agree, we try to make our holiday celebrations about Jesus first. The buttons on paper clips were so cute. Super creative!!
Thanks, Traci. The paper clips and ribbon were great the first year. Now I just tape the story parts to the wall. We’ve gone downhill over here 🙂
Love it!! Perfect for the little ones. Thanks!
Thanks, Esther! Merry Christmas!
Pingback: Advent Calendar Idea Using The Christmas Story | Maggie May's
Pingback: 25 Easy Advent and Christmas Activities for Kids {Plus a Quick Giveaway!} - The Purposeful Mom
Pingback: Advent Ideas {Plus free downloadable Advent Activities Pack} - Intentional By Grace
I just love this. Shared on my blog and my Facebook page. Hoping to have time to put it together. Thank you so much for sharing!!!
Wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing!!!
Reblogged this on This Heart… and commented:
If you’re looking for a great way to do an advent calendar, this is wonderful and simple and so meaningful! I just had to share!!
I love this! We will be making this for sure. Sharing. 🙂
Great!! Have fun 🙂
You have such excellent ideas. Advent is such a special part of preparing for Christmas. I love this idea. I had to tweet it! Excellent. Truly.
Thank you so much! And I appreciate the tweet! If only I knew how to use my twitter account!! ha
I love this idea! Thank you for doing all the hard part! We always read and discuss the Christmas story with the kids, but it’s great to find different ways to present it to them. Thanks for sharing this idea!
You’re welcome! and thank you!!
What a great idea!! I still can have the one with chocolate too, right? 😉
Of course! 🙂
Love this!!!
Thanks!!
I love this idea!
Thank you! It should make a fun tradition 🙂
This is beautiful! I love this idea and having the real meaning of Christmas is perfect.
Pingback: Life at the White House: DIY Advent Calendar | kayla Rochelle Photography- Family, Children and Couples photography Saratoga Springs NY
I’m the lucky one 🙂
Heartwarming to know that there’s still people out there who still want to keep the true meaning if Christmas alive! Your children are so lucky!! 🙂
Awesome idea. Sure beats the kids arguing over chocolates and it lets them know that Christmas is someone special’s birthday.
Absolutely!
Absolutely wonderful idea!!
Thanks! 🙂
Blessed and fun idea.
🙂
Love this!
Thank you!
You should sell these. So cute.
Michelle Drake (415) 690-3275 cell Michelleidelldrake@gmail.com
Yes, or you can 🙂
NICE! Creative idea…. Merry Christmas!
Thank you 🙂 Merry Christmas to you!