I’m so excited to share this new Advent resource with you today!
Last year, I created a 15-day Advent Nativity Activity that grew out of my desire to help my family focus on Jesus at Christmas.
I matched scripture with the standard pieces of a Nativity set and each day, for 15 days, we read Bible verse or passage and then added the corresponding piece to our Nativity scene.
We loved it! My kids loved it! I pinned it to my Pinterest board and it’s been repinned thousands of times since. (You can get the free scripture printable below.)
Cue the confetti, because the Countdown to Christmas Nativity activity is now a book!
Countdown to Christmas: Unwrap the Christmas Story with Your Family in 15 Days is written for families who want a Christ-centered, hands-on Advent tradition.
Countdown to Christmas takes you step by step through the Christmas story, starting with prophecies foretelling the birth of Jesus all the way through the visit of the Magi. They focus on Christ and the gospel as the incredible love story of God’s plan to be with us and redeem us is unwrapped over 15 days.
As a busy mom of many, I wrote it to be open and go, to deepen my teens’ understanding and application of the events of Jesus’ birth while engaging my littles with hands on fun.
Because the Advent devotional covers 15 days rather than 25, you have margin for the office Christmas party and choir cantata rehearsal. Start Countdown to Christmas on December 1 using the days convenient for your family or begin 15 days before Christmas.
What Kind of Nativity to Use
You don’t have to have a manger scene to use the Countdown to Christmas Advent devotional. The Advent devotional, scriptures and prayers can stand alone as a wonderful Advent celebration.
However, the hands-on fun of creating the manger scene piece by piece creates lasting memories and engages the whole family in the events of the Christmas story.
If you’re using this with small children, choose a Nativity that’s sturdy and non-breakable so you can display it at your child’s eye-level and their little hands can play with it.
The Nativity pieces used in the Countdown to Christmas Advent book and the Nativity activity scripture printable are:
- the Creche (stable)
- a palm tree
- cattle
- Mary
- Joseph
- donkey
- manger
- baby Jesus
- shepherd
- angel
- sheep
- star
- 3 wise men
Ready to Get Started?
Get your copy of Countdown to Christmas: Unwrap the Christmas Story with Your Family in 15 Days here.
When you subscribe to email, I’ll send a FREE copy of the Nativty activity scriptures list.
*This post contains affiliate links.
Love this! Advent is one of my favorite times of the year. I love the lights, the focus on the Savior and the power of putting God first as our focus. Thank you for sharing this resource, it is lovely!
Blessings,
Dawn
Thank you Dawn. I hope you enjoy it!
I love your 15 day concept, Lisa! Do-able for less than perfect families like mine! When I looked through the guide, it really is good, easy, and meaningful! Thanks for using your creativity to offer this resource! I shared it on my blog, I think you saw, but linked to Amazon instead of here. 🙂
Yes, thank you for sharing Betsy! Pray it’s a blessing to many families.
Loved reading it. Finally got around to a review on Amazon. (my first ever 🙂 )
Thank you Betsy!
Such a beautiful idea to make Christmas more meaningful for children, Lisa. I was reading your story, and I’m so sorry you lost your husband. I can’t imagine how difficult that must be. I pray God will continue to give you guidance, wisdom, and strength as you raise your 7 children. I wish Advent blessings to you and your family! (You are my neighbor at #raralinkup)
Thank you, Trudy. God is very tenderly taking care of us. <3
Hi Lisa,
I’m your neighbor at Holley’s link-up today (and thank you for visiting at my place today!) and what a great tool you’ve created for advent! This is the perfect season to linger a little longer on his word and get the family involved in seeing the miracle of God with us!
Lisa, This is wonderful! I am always so blessed when I visit! Thank you for this activity and book, as well as your heart!
Blessings and smiles,
Lori