*Note to parents: If you have younger children, we recommend splitting up the Scripture readings/talk-times and songs over several different nights this week, and adding the other activities whenever they will work best for your family. If you have older children, or you’re enjoying this time intentionally with other families, feel free to do all the Scripture readings/talk-times and songs in one sitting, then move on to the activities, which may be spread throughout the week.
Also, any of the songs can be switched out for some of your favorites. Just sing together and listen to Jesus-pointing Christmas music together in this season!

Pray

Gather your family (or your church family) in a dark room with some candlelight. If you made or purchased an Advent wreath last week, light the first and second candles. As you light the candles, remind each other that Jesus came to bring light to the darkness and He is coming back again.

Pray together:  
Dear Jesus, thank you that you came to bring light to the darkness. We wait expectantly for you to come back again. Help us to know and love you more during this season of Advent. In your name, Amen.

Read

Begin by reading Isaiah 9:6-7:
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over His kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. NIV

Parent/Leader, say:
God, through the prophet Isaiah, told His people that a child would be born. God would send His Son, Jesus, to rule and reign as King over all governments. God, through the prophet Isaiah, announced this: My Son will come as a baby, but make no mistake about it: My Son, Jesus, is God!

Sing

Away in a Manger
Here is a link to the lyrics: Away in a Manger
If you prefer to listen, here is a link to a version for young kids: Away in a Manger
My favorite version has beautiful new lyrics. Here’s the music video with scenes from Dallas Jenkins’ The Shepherd: Away in a Manger

Read

Read Isaiah 53:2-10a (choose whatever version you are most familiar with).

Parent/Leader, ask:
Do you know who Isaiah was talking about? Who took our pain and bore our suffering? Who was pierced for our sins? (Jesus)
How was Jesus pierced for our sins? (Allow for answers)
God, through the prophet Isaiah, told His people that the same child who was to be born and rule and reign as King would suffer; would be pierced and crushed for our sins. God, through the prophet Isaiah, announced this: My Son will be hated and rejected. He will suffer and experience great pain. He will be pierced and crushed for your sin. I will punish my only Son with the punishment that you deserve. He will be completely innocent, never doing anything wrong, but I will wound Him on the cross so that you will have peace with me; so that you will be saved and healed!

Read Hebrews 4:14-16:
Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. ESV

Parent/Leader, ask:
When do you feel sad? (Allow for answers)
When do you feel pain? (Allow for answers)
Do you sin? (Of course! We all do!)
Adults, share also. It’s important for our children to know that we suffer and sin in this life. 
Jesus understands our sadness and pain because He experienced great sadness and pain when He lived on this earth.
Not only that, but God, through the writer of Hebrews, tells us that Jesus understands our sin. Even though He never sinned, Jesus was tempted to sin, just like we are tempted. He was tempted to live selfishly, to lash out in anger, to refuse to forgive, to hold grudges, and to withhold love. Whatever you are tempted to do that is wrong, Jesus understands because He was tempted too.

This season of Advent is a wonderful time for us to remember that Jesus was born, that He died to save us from our sins, and that He understands all our sadness and sickness and suffering and sin-temptations.

Listen

O Come, All You Unfaithful by Sovereign Grace is a beautiful song in the middle of suffering that reminds us of what our God has done for us, even though we are unfaithful. 
Listen or watch this together: O Come, All You Unfaithful

Create

Have younger children draw a picture about a time they were sad, angry, or in pain. 

Parents/adults and older children, spend some time each day writing about what sadnesses, suffering, and pain you have gone through in the past and are going through right now. It would be a great idea to get journals for your family members for this activity. Let your kids decorate the outsides of their journals with stickers, duct tape, puffy paint, fun letters, feathers, stencils and metallic markers, or just with whatever supplies you have!

Enjoy

Eat a sweet treat together again this week simply to celebrate Jesus Christ’s first coming while we wait for His return.

Memorize

Set aside a few minutes each day to memorize Isaiah 9:6 together.
If you have older children, feel free to memorize Isaiah 9:6-7 and/or Hebrews 4:14-16.

For Fun

Set aside time this week to read aloud The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson.
This book is a pretty short read. If you have younger children, there is a much shorter, picture book version. Reading aloud with our children is great for us and for them!
If you don’t already own the book, run to the bookstore together and get a copy, or order one here: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Here’s a link to the picture book: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Picture Book

After you have read the book together, if you are able, head to movie theater and watch The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. We highly recommend this movie for families!

Snuggle up with some popcorn and watch A Charlie Brown Christmas together on a streaming service of your choice.

Pray Daily

Day 1: Pray for each other
Day 2: Pray for your extended family
Day 3: Pray for your friends
Day 4: Pray for your neighbors
Day 5: Pray for your church family
Day 6: Pray for your city
Day 7: Pray for the world

Pray specifically that in the sadness, sickness, sorrows, and sin of life, all would find hope and peace in Jesus as they wait.
Also, continue to pray this simple prayer that Charles Spurgeon once prayed:
If any are unsaved, Lord, save them!

Extra Resources

Poetry
Read the poem Christmas Bells aloud.
Listen to the song I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day by Casting Crowns, which is based on the poem.
If you’d like a little extra reading, here is a fantastic bit of history—The True Story Behind “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day”

Music
Emmanuel
O Little Town of Bethlehem
What Child is This
O Holy Night

Advent Videos
The BibleProject Advent Series
The BibleProject Advent Guides

Advent Articles & Podcast Episodes
Seven Reasons to Celebrate Advent
Come, Lord Jesus with Nancy Guthrie
Take a Chance This Advent