What is Advent?
From Special Times by Betty Jo Middleton, Connections by CLF,
"An Advent Celebration" by Joan Goodwin

Goal:
To learn about this Christian tradition and develop one of your own.

Materials:
Advent Calendar Pattern—enlarged—one for each child
Cardboard or poster board
List of Activities—use these or make up your own!
Red construction paper cut into 24 1 _” squares. Number the squares 1 – 24 in bold numbers in the center of the square. Each calendar will need 24 squares
Crayons, markers, stickers for decorating.

Preparation:
Read Background from Special Times
Read through various advent activities and choose one or two to try.

Activities:
Daily Activities Advent Calendar:
Cut out the advent wreath pattern and glue it to cardboard or poster board. Color it green.
Give each child a set of 24 squares. Position the squares on the corresponding numbers on the advent calendar. Glue three sides of each square to form a pocket. After the pockets are dried, decorate them or the wreath with stickers.
Cut the list of activities into thin strips. Fold them so they’ll fit in the pockets. Insert them in the numbered pockets. (If you want the activities to be a surprise, you could do this part later.)
Each day of Advent, take an activity out of the pocket to do that day.

Celebrating Advent in Your Family

An Advent Celebration, by Joan Goodwin