Advent Reading Plan for Kids: Free Printable for Family Devotions
Want to help children and families make room for Jesus in their hearts and homes at Christmas? Rather than filling the Advent season with one activity after another, children’s ministry leaders and Sunday school teachers can take a different approach: encourage moms and dads to slow down while they connect little ones with God’s Word.
An Advent reading plan for kids — like the free “Make Room” resource available for download below — can be powerful without being complicated or time-consuming. When you combine a short Bible reading, a discussion starter, and a simple activity for each day in Advent, young kids learn about Christ’s birth in ways they’ll remember. Christmas Bible reading paired with age-appropriate conversations helps all family members grow in faith and grow closer together.
How to Use Our Advent Bible Reading Plan
To increase biblical literacy in fun ways, we created an Advent reading plan that features short daily Bible readings from both the Old Testament and the New Testament. From Old Testament prophecies to their fulfillment in Bethlehem, each Scripture reading explores an important aspect of Jesus’ birth.
Starting on the first day of Advent (or on December 1), families spend a few minutes going through one day of the reading plan. First, they read aloud the Bible verse or verses from a children’s Bible or Jesus storybook Bible. Older kids can take turns with the Advent readings or look up the passages in a Bible app and read them aloud.
Next, families use the “Talk About It” discussion questions to spark chats about the Christmas story and the hope Jesus brings. As a centerpiece or talking point for family Bible study at Christmas, parents can set out an Advent wreath, a Scripture-themed Advent calendar, or a Nativity scene. For example, they can light one new Advent candle at the beginning of each week to correspond with the four weeks of the family Advent reading plan.
Finally, parents and kids use the “Do It” tip for a powerful Advent activity each day. Combining the daily Scripture reading with practical applications teaches children the true reason for Christmas. Activities range from prayers and artwork to games and service. Kids will look forward to each day’s adventure, and families just might discover a new favorite Christmas tradition.
Benefits of a Family Advent Devotional
Christian families appreciate easy resources for preparing for Christmas. Parents are busy with shopping, baking, and seasonal get-togethers, yet they want the Christmas season to have spiritual meaning for kids. While the world focuses on gifts and commercialism, a Bible-based Advent devotional for kids shines the spotlight on Jesus.
In the “Make Room” reading plan provided below, four weekly themes remind families to welcome Baby Jesus into their hearts:
- Get Ready — Families anticipate Jesus’ arrival, just as God’s people did in the Old Testament.
- Share — Kids learn that Christmas is about giving and that Jesus is the greatest gift.
- Obey — By hearing about key figures in the Christmas story, children learn how they, too, can follow God.
- Celebrate — The Advent Scripture plan concludes with great joy, as families celebrate Jesus’ birth on Christmas Eve.
Download This Free Bible Reading Plan
Celebrating Advent with kids is a wonderful opportunity to introduce Jesus as their Savior and friend. Family Bible time, discussions, and seasonal activities combine to help families focus on growing in faith during an otherwise hectic month.
If you’ve never used Bible reading plans for kids before, this Advent resource is a great starting point. After downloading the printable, make as many copies as you need. You can send the reading plan home with Sunday school students, along with coloring pages or a Christmas storybook. Churches also might provide an Advent calendar for each family plus devotions or related articles for adults.
Download the free ‘Make Room’ Advent Bible Reading Plan for Families. Then visit ChildrensBulletins.com to choose from a wide variety of Christmas bulletins and teaching tools. We pray that these Advent printables and other seasonal resources help you and your church members have a Christ-centered Christmas!