Christmas is coming and children can hardly wait. They may keep asking is it Christmas yet? Use an advent wreath and activities to keep little ones occupied and help them focus on the reason we celebrate!

Four candles evenly spaced around a wreath and you’re ready to start. Use battery operated candles if that’s a safer option for you. Then explain the use of the wreath.

A few facts:

• The word advent comes from adventus Domini meaning the coming of the Lord
• Traditionally 3 of the four candles are purple and one is pink for joy (the 3rd candle)
• One more candle, a white one, is added in the center. This is to light on Christmas Day.
• The advent wreath began long ago in Germany to help people wait and count the weeks and days to Christmas

The candles have names and words associated with them to help us focus on Jesus.

Christmas is Coming: Waiting is Hard

Week one is the prophecy candle and called the hope candle. Prophets brought messages of hope as they foretold the coming of the Messiah. Choose to look up prophecies about the birth of Jesus and to choose a project that will bring hope to someone.

Week two is the Bethlehem candle. The name means House of Bread and Jesus, the bread of Life was born there. Make bread to celebrate and give some to a neighbor. The word for the candle is love.

Week 3 is the shepherd candle and the candle of joy. Read how the shepherd felt joy when they saw Jesus. Pass out candy canes that are shaped like a shepherd’s staff.

Week 4 is the angel candle and called the candle of peace. Peace is part of the message the angels proclaimed at the birth of Jesus. Pray for peace. Look at how much the angels did as part of what happened when Jesus was born, including the angel’s visit to Mary.

Each day light the candle, do a short reading, sing a Christmas carol, and discuss part of the Christmas story.

Blessings,
Karen