Advent Devotions

Before starting the Advent/Christmas family devotions collect a small potted evergreen or a small artificial tree, white school glue, waxed paper, colored string and a needle. The ornaments are made by squeezing glue into shapes on waxed paper. Because it can take 5-6 days for the glue to dry, make the designs at the beginning of the week. Before the glue sets poke in a hole for hanging. At the end of the week thread the needle with a piece of string and hang on the tree. Read the verses and discuss.


Week 1: Placed in God’s Garden
Ornament—a person, a gingerbread man shape works well.
Read Genesis 2:4-23
Take turns describing what Adam could see and do. Have each person chose a favorite scene and tell what’s best about it.

Week 2: The First Sin
Ornament—a snake
Read Genesis 3
What words give you clues about the ugliness of sin? Why do you think Adam and Eve were forbidden to eat of the life-giving tree after they knew evil?

Week 3: Saved!
Ornament—an olive leaf
Read Genesis 6:11-14; 8:1-12
Why was Noah different than the people around him? Pretend you are Noah. Describe your thoughts on seeing the dove returning with the olive leaf. Has a green leaf ever given you hope? When and why?

Week 4: Stars and Stars
Ornament—a star
Read Genesis 12:1-3; 15:1-6
Seeing all the stars helped Abraham get a picture in his mind of what God would do. What helps you believe God will do what he says?

Week 5: Anointed
Ornament—a crown
Read 1 Samuel 16:1-13; Psalm 89:20-29
What does God promise David? Are any of those promises for you, too?

Week 6: A Shoot
Ornament—a tree stump
Read Isaiah 11:1-3
Jesse was King David’s father. The tree shoot represents another king to come from Jesse’s family. Who will that king will be? What words describe the Lord’s Spirit on this king?

Week 7: A Savior
Ornament—an angel
Read Luke 2: 4-20; Matthew 1:21
Why did Jesus have to come to be our Savior?

Week 8: Life-Giving Fruit
Ornament—a piece of fruit
John 10:10; Revelation 2: 7 and 22:1-5
Once again the tree of life is offered. Where is this tree? Take turns imagining out loud or drawing a scene with the tree. Who will eat from it?


-Carol Reinsma, Editor for Kid Connection Guess What! magazine