Advent Ideas

Good Morning,
It is so hard to believe but we received our first snow on the 1st of December. And if we weren't in the Christmas spirit that certainly changed things!! All the lights looked so beautiful in our neighborhood and the snow was perched atop the trees in such splendor beauty of its own. It was truly a time where I love the Northwest. The magnificent green contrasted with the stark white. What a sight!!! That was washed away in just a day by the lovely ever present Northwest RAIN!! Agghhh....

So, as I sit here just having done my bible study and listening to the rain drops. I began plotting how I was going to get the little guy to go grocery shopping and decided I would share the ideas below instead. Enjoy!!

I was given these ideas by a fellow consultant and have put them into action. I love bringing the true meaning of Christmas to my children. Although I believed in Santa for many years, it's nice to know we never have to outgrow "Believing" in God.

Here is a picture of my unfinished throw together in a day advent tree.... I need a topper for the little guy. Next year this may be a decoration and I will use bigger matchboxes to make it bigger and able to hold the items that are needed to go along with the slips of ideas tucked inside. But for now it's perfect because it is being used. :o)



And here are the wonderful ideas.
Advent Calendar Ideas

1 Quarter
A quarter! That equals 25 cents. But 25 also stands for the number of days till Christmas, when God gave us His best present. Jesus told about one woman's gift and the way she gave it.
Mark 12:41-44

2 Grape Gum (or candy)
Grapes make jelly and juice, raisins and wine. But Jesus didn't need grapes to perform His first miracle.
John 2:1-10

3 Smiley Sticker
Here's a smile! A smile usually expresses happiness. Jesus gave us many instructions to keep us happy.
Matthew 5:1-12

4 Gummy Fish
Fish! Well, if you were surprised to find these fish, wait will you read the story today! Others were surprised to find fish, too.
Luke 5:4-7

5 Birthday Candle
A birthday candle? As you know, We are getting ready to celebrate Jesus' birthday. However, Jesus talked about something else that is related to this candle. Light!
Matthew 5:14-16

6 Bell
You could make some noise with this. But it would not have bothered a certain man--until he met Jesus.
Mark 7:31-37

7 Fish Crackers
These would not go very far if you were really hungry! But Jesus could make much out of little. Surely He knew how to multiply!
Matthew 14:13-21

8 Cotton Balls
These cotton balls would be helpful in a thunderstorm, wouldn't they? We could use them for ear plugs to muffle loud noises that thunder makes. But we know someone who doesn't need cotton. Jesus can control the weather.
Matthew 8:23-27

9 Piece of a Map
People needing to use the other parts of their map are in trouble! Don't you get lost today!
John 14:1-6

10 Soap
It's soap. Do you like to wash? Behind your ears? Washing turned out to be a happy time for a man who met Jesus.
John 9:1-7


11 Heart Sticker
Hearts. Wordlessly, they speak of love, don't they? Jesus spoke some commands about love.
Matthew 22:34-40

12 Cross
We use the cross as a symbol representing Jesus. Do you know why?
Philippians 2:1-11

13 Packet of Salt
Ordinary salt. Yes, Jesus related salt to us and our behavior. He also gave us some advice.
Matthew 5:14 and Colossians 4:6

14 Sand
Don't try to eat this! It's sand. It reminds us that Jesus knows something about architecture, about buildings--and building lives. Read about His instructions.
Matthew 7:24-29

15 Flowers(silk)
Flowers are pretty, aren't they? Jesus used flowers to teach us a reassuring lesson.
Matthew 6:28-34

16 Raisins
Raisins! Many children are given raisins instead of chips for a snack. That's because they are health promoting and a delicious fruit. Jesus told us how we can produce good fruit.
John 15:1-5

17 Seeds
Jesus told a story about seeds that a man planted. Then He explained it, revealing its deeper meaning.
Matthew 13:3-8 and Matthew 13:18-23

18 Christmas Carol
Christmas is just a week away. Here is an appropriate song. Sing it loudly!
Psalms 100

19 Small Rock
A hard stone! Can you change this stone into a piece of bread? Do you think Jesus could? Jesus was asked to do just that. Do you know how He handled it?
Matthew 4:1-4

20 Crumpled Foil
Try to smooth out this piece of aluminum foil and use it as a mirror. It's hard to see your reflection plainly, isn't it? Many circumstances are hard to understand, but someday everything will be clear.
I Corinthians 13:12

21 Mustard Seed
The mustard seed is the smallest there is! When it sprouts, it grows into one of the largest plants! See what Jesus says about this.
Matthew 17:20

22 Dove
We know that the cross represents Christ, but do you know what the dove stands for?
Matthew 3:13-17

23 Small scrap of woolly material
The threads that compose this fabric came from the wool of a sheep. Jesus called himself the good Sheppard. Do you know who His sheep are?
John 10:7-18

24 Blue Marble
A marble! Do you know what is sometimes called the "Big Blue Marble"? The world. God made the world for us. What does God continue doing to the world? And who is the world?
John 3:16

25 Picture of a baby
Isn't this baby cute? When he was born, he made a whole family happy. Jesus was born a baby, too. He came to make the whole world happy.
Luke 2:1-20