Creation Actions for Homeschool - TFHSM

Try these Advent activities for homeschool family fun this Christmas season. Teach about the history of Advent & what it means to your family.

How to Teach Advent in Your Homeschool

The word Advent comes from the Latin adventus, which suggests a coming, approach, or arrival. In the Church, it refers to the 4 Sundays prior to Christmas day. It is a time of penance, of turning away from sin and solemn preparation for the birth of Jesus Christ.

Advent is not just the celebration of Jesus’ birth, but a recognition of the hope and joy of his coming, and our need for a Savior.

Christians eagerly await Christmas day similarly to the way the people of Israel waited for the coming of the Messiah. We also pray and wait for the final coming of Christ at the end of time.

How to Celebrate with Advent Activities in Your Home

Some simple ways to observe this holiday in your own home and homeschool is through common Advent activities like the following:

• Prayer and reading the Bible, or completing a family devotion centered around the season, perhaps provided by your local church.
• Making your own Advent wreath and candle display.
• Watching videos about the birth of Jesus together.
• Set up your own family’s nativity scene and talk with your children about the figures.
• Make an Advent tree with Jesse tree ornaments based on icons of Old Testament events and characters.
• Put up an Advent calendar. You can purchase one at a store with candy or treats inside for each day leading up to Christmas, or print your own Advent calendar printable off Google.
• Similar to an Advent calendar countdown, you could create a simple paper chain, and tear off one link per day leading up to Christmas.

Advent Facts for Kids

To help kids understand the holiday better, go over these facts with them. In addition to the Advent activities above, these facts will give them the background information they need to fully know why Advent is so important.

1. Advent is the celebration in November and December which leads up to Christmas. It is one of the most important times for Christians all over the world.
2. It is a time when Christians wait and prepare for Jesus to come.
3. It typically starts four Sundays before Christmas Day.
4. The word “Advent” comes from the Latin word “adventus,” which means “coming.”
5. Advent lasts for four weeks in some churches, while it lasts for five weeks in others.
6. For most observers, Advent starts on November 30th and ends on Christmas Eve.
7. Protestants recognize the four Sundays before Christmas as Advent. In Roman Catholic churches, Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, and ends on Christmas Eve.
8. Advent candles are lit during the season. There are three purple candles and one pink candle. The purple colors represent penitence, preparation, and royalty. The pink color represents joy. People often wear these colors during Advent when they celebrate this holiday and decorate with them in their homes or churches.
9. There are special readings, prayers, and hymns in Church services during Advent.
10. People spend time reading from the Bible and praying.
11. Some people give up something they enjoy eating or doing to prepare for Christmas.
12. Many families choose to participate in faithful activities at home with their family. Some of the things they do are: Decorating the home, buying gifts for others, baking special cookies, and lighting candles.
13. In some countries, and the U.S., Advent calendars are popular during this time of year. Each day in an Advent calendar typically has a door that opens to reveal a picture, treat, or message related to Christmas.

Advent Printables for Kids

Do you want a printable resource to help you teach Advent facts for your kids? You can download one here!