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There are so many beautiful ways to live this season of preparation for Christmas! Here are some of our favorite Catholic products for living Advent well with children.
Activities
Mary on the Mantel
Similar to the Elf on the Shelf concept, each day Mary is moved around your house as she prepares for her new baby, “nesting” and doing ordinary tasks. When the children find her in the morning, Mary delivers a small act of kindness that they can perform that day.
The Mary on the Mantel kit is so thoughtfully designed and beautifully made. My children delight in the Mary and Jesus figures and reading the lovely little book. The whole thing is such a positive and loving way to honor Advent.
The kit includes a gorgeous children’s book, a caregiver guide with tips and ideas for what Mary can do around your home, 60 Acts of Kindness cards and a small map of the Holy Land. (Mary doll is sold separately.)
Catholic Family Crate Advent Resources
Catholic Family Crate offers some lovely products for Advent, including a December feast days crate, liturgical art, stickers, games, ornaments, and much more.
The Quest from Catholic Sprouts
The Quest is “A Journey through Advent to Epiphany for Catholic Families.” A virtues-based daily study, this beautiful hardcover book offers daily reflections that will gently lead your family deeper into the virtuous life and prepare you to greet Baby Jesus on Christmas and Epiphany.
Advent Blocks Set
These cute Advent Blocks come with a guide book called The King Is Coming, preparing hearts for Christmas in a gentle, hands-on way.
The Giving Manger
Your children can place pieces of straw in the manger for each kind deed or act of service they do, making a soft bed for Baby Jesus on Christmas Day. The set comes with The Giving Manger picture book, a wooden manger, a bundle of straw, and a Baby Jesus figure.
The Jesse Tree
If you’d like to include the Jesse Tree tradition this year, you can find many beautiful sets:
- Catholic All Year’s wooden laser-cut set
- Catholic to the Max’s painted wooden set
- A magnetic set
- Sophia Institute’s set with book of related meditations and prayers
- Catholic Family Crate’s color-your-own ornaments and corresponding cards
There are so many sweet Advent and Christmas traditions, and no way to do them all! Each year, I choose one or two that sound like a good fit for my family and freely let the others go.
Faith-filled Advent Calendars
Toward the Light of Christmas Advent Calendar: Open a new window each day of December until you reach the birth of Jesus on Christmas. Follow along with the booklet to hear the Word of God and to prepare with Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and the people of Bethlehem for the coming of the Savior.
Advent Calendar & Christmas Nativity Scene Reusable Sticker Fun: Countdown to Christmas with our this and reusable sticker scene and calendar!
Advent Book Wraps: Use these book wraps and tags to start (or continue) a fun Advent tradition with your family. Turn your new or existing picture books into an Advent Calendar that encourages family reading time throughout the season.
Advent Books
24 Christmas Stories to Welcome Jesus: Starting December 1, each day has a new story leading up to Christmas. The illustrated collection includes stories based on the Gospel and about Advent and Christmas customs, plus original tales about living the Christmas message.
24 Christmas Stories for Little Ones: Another collection of stories for each day of December, specifically for younger children ages 2-6.
A Thrill of Hope for Kids: Blessed Is She’s 2024 Advent Devotional for kids invites little ones to embark on a joyful Advent journey filled with discovery and fun. Through engaging daily reflections, easy-to-understand Scripture, and creative coloring pages, children will explore the true meaning of the Advent season, learning what it means to hope and following the example of key figures in the Bible.
Welcome Baby Jesus: Advent And Christmas Reflections For Families: Lead up to Christmas with these kid-friendly devotional reflections. Each day has a Scripture quote from the Sunday Gospel readings, a brief reflection, and an action to complete.
The Children’s Little Advent Book: This book is designed to help parents with young children on a journey through Advent to Christmas. Each day’s entry includes a brief Scripture reading, a reflection, discussion questions, a brief prayer, and a simple coloring page for children to complete after praying with their families.
A daily video devotional
Brother Francis’ The Days of Advent: We had to include a video lesson! This special episode helps children observe the days of Advent with 29 meaningful meditations, beautifully illustrated and led by Brother Francis. Each meditation is accompanied by an on-screen prayer and a suggested way to put the meditation into practice. If you like this one, check out the other Christmas episodes, Jesus is Coming and O Holy Night, also available on FORMED.
And today we celebrate...