TWENTY-THIRD PUBLICATIONS A Division of Bayard; One Montauk Avenue, Suite 200; New London, CT 06320; (860) 437-3012 or (800) 321-0411; www.23rdpublications.com

ISBN: 978-1-62785-116-9

Copyright ©2015 Kathy Hendricks. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission of the publisher. Write to the Permissions Editor.

Printed in the U.S.A.

IntroductionAdvent is a time to wait for Jesus and to prepare for his coming at Christmas. People all over the world wait and watch in different ways for Jesus’ coming. You will learn about some of them in this book. You can use the activities for each day of Advent as a way to prepare your heart for Jesus and for the joyful celebration of Christmas. Begin by saying the prayer on the back cover. Use the prayer by yourself or with your family each day during Advent. It will remind you to wait for Jesus with love and hope.

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Advent is a time to prepare for Jesus’ comingThe Bible tells us about John the Baptist. He was a prophet who told people to watch and wait for Jesus’ coming. How will you wait for Jesus this Advent?

Use the code to find out what John the Baptist said.

Jesus, help me to make this Advent a time of joyful waiting for you.

SundayNovember 29i

FIRST WEEKIN ADVENT

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A D E F H L O P R T W Y1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

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We join with others in waiting for Jesus’ comingAll over the world, people celebrate Advent. They gather in their homes and churches to wait for the coming of Jesus at Christmas.

Write a prayer for people of the world who celebrate Advent. Write your prayer in the globe

and then decorate it.

Jesus, let your love and peace be with all people of the world.

MondayNovember 30i

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The Advent wreath

There are four weeks in Advent. An Advent wreath reminds us that Jesus is coming. We light a new candle each week during the season of Advent and say a prayer. This helps us to remember to wait for Jesus with love and joy.

Draw four candles on the wreath. Color three of them purple and one of them pink.

Jesus, help me to remember to make each day in Advent one of love and joy.

TuesdayDecember 1iFIRST WEEKIN ADVENT

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We wait for Jesus with people we loveIn the weeks before Christmas, families share many traditions. Some of these include special foods. Sharing our special traditions brings us together with those we love.

WednesdayDecember 2iFIRST WEEKIN ADVENT

Thank you, Jesus, for the gift of good food and those who share it with us. [

What are some special foods your family shares at this time of year? Draw a picture of this

food on the plate.

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We remember those in need during AdventDuring Advent many parishes do something special for children who do not have homes or enough food to eat. Ask your parents to help you find out what your parish is doing to help those in need this Advent. How can you and your family help?

Fill the Christmas basket with something you think a child in need would like to have

this Christmas.

Jesus, bless all children and their families who are in need this Advent.

ThursdayDecember 3iFIRST WEEKIN ADVENT

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We pray with the psalms during AdventThe psalms are prayers from the Bible. We can say them or sing them to show our love for God. During Advent, we use psalms that remind us of God’s great love.

Find these three words in the puzzle: LORD, MERCY, LOVE. Use them to fill

in the words to the psalm.

FridayDecember 4iFIRST WEEKIN ADVENT

Jesus, help me to remember to pray to you each day during Advent. [

W Q O R D T E V N

M E R C Y R L G H

E Q V B Y F A P L

R L E H T L O V E

E A L O R D T X Z

, show us your

and .Psalm 85

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Saint Nicholas DaySaint Nicholas was a bishop who loved children and took care of the poor. In the country of the Netherlands, children celebrate Saint Nicholas Day. At nighttime they set out their shoes and in the morning they wake up to find them filled with nuts, candy, and other gifts.

Find the two shoes that are exactly alike. Cross out the ones that don’t match.

Bless all children in the world, Jesus.

SaturdayDecember 5iFIRST WEEKIN ADVENT

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Mary said yes to God’s planAn angel appeared to Mary and told her she would be the mother of Jesus. Mary said yes to God’s plan with joy and an open heart. How can you open your heart to Jesus this Advent?

Unscramble the letters to find the words the angel spoke to Mary.

SundayDecember 6i

SECOND WEEKIN ADVENT

Jesus, open my heart and help me to follow you. [

“O D T O N E B R A F D I A, R M A Y,

R F O U Y O V E H A N U F O D

R F O V A H W I T D G O.”

Luke 1:30

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We sing about our joy during AdventChristmas carols are songs we sing during Advent and Christmas to show our joy. Some of these songs tell about the birth of Jesus. Some describe fun things about Christmas. What is your favorite Christmas song?

Use the clues to guess the name of these popular Christmas carols. Draw a line from the clue to the name of the song.

Jesus, let my heart sing with joy as I wait for you this Advent.

MondayDecember 7i

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Shake these to make a joyful sound

He plays a musical instrument

Build one of these on a winter day

He helps Santa pull his sleigh

Little Drummer Boy

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Jingle Bells Frosty the Snowman

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Families prepare for Jesus’ comingAdvent is a special time to enjoy being together with our families. What does your family do to celebrate Advent and prepare for Christmas?

Connect the dots to find something families like to decorate together.

TuesdayDecember 8i

SECOND WEEKIN ADVENT

Thank you for my family, Jesus, and for all the people who love and care for me. [

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We can share the light of JesusJesus taught that all of us can be a light of love for others. During Advent, we use candles and offer prayers to remind us of the ways we can let the light of Jesus shine in us.

Write or draw something that shows how you can let the light of Jesus shine

in you during Advent.

Jesus, help me to let the light of your love shine through me.

WednesdayDecember 9i

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Jesus taught us to be peacemakers

ThursdayDecember 10i

SECOND WEEKIN ADVENT

Jesus, help me to be a peacemaker in my home and school.[

During Advent, we pray in a special way for peace throughout the world. We can be peacemakers by doing small things each day to show our love for Jesus.

Circle the ways you can be a peacemaker. Cross out the ways that don’t show how to be a peacemaker.

Insist on having your own way rather than sharing with others.

Say you are sorry when you hurt someone’s feelings.

Pick up your toys without being asked by your parent or teacher.

Stomp out of the room when your mother asks you to help clear the table.

Share the last cookie with your little brother.

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The Jesse Tree

The Jesse Tree helps us prepare for Christmas. Symbols on the tree tell about the people and the things that happened before Jesus was born. Reading stories from the Bible is another way we wait for Jesus during Advent.

What stories do you know from the Bible? Draw one here.

Jesus, bless all the people in my parish who are waiting and watching for you this Advent.

FridayDecember 11i

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Mary shows us the way to follow Jesus

SaturdayDecember 12i

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Mary loved you with her whole heart, Jesus. Help me to be like her and to treat others with love and kindness.[

On this day, people in Mexico celebrate a special feast of Mary—the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. They celebrate with special foods and decorations as they thank God for Mary’s love and kindness.

Mary shows us the way to follow

Jesus by being kind and caring.

In each of the flowers, write

something you can do this Advent

to be like Mary.

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Elizabeth and Mary shared their joyElizabeth was the cousin of Mary and the mother of John the Baptist. Mary visited Elizabeth, and the two women shared their joy with one another. How can you share your joy as you wait for Jesus this Advent?

Use the key to find the words Elizabeth said to Mary.

Jesus, watch over all mothers and their children.

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A B E D G L M N O R S U W Y

“

.“

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Saint Lucia Day

Fill in a list of things you can do to serve three different family members

or friends this Advent.

MondayDecember 14iTHIRD WEEKIN ADVENT

In Sweden, families celebrate Saint Lucia Day. The oldest daughter dresses in a long, white gown and serves coffee and treats to members of her family. During Advent, there are many ways we can serve our families and friends.

I will serve by

I will serve by

I will serve by

Help me to care for others through acts of service and kindness, Jesus.[

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The Holy Family

Mary, Joseph, and Jesus are called the Holy Family. They trusted in God to protect and care for them. How does God care for your family?

Write a prayer for your family on the card. Share it with your family.

Jesus, bless all families throughout the world and help them to trust in your love.

TuesdayDecember 15iTHIRD WEEKIN ADVENT

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We listen to the story of Jesus’ birth

Help the children find their way to the Holy Family.

WednesdayDecember 16iTHIRD WEEKIN ADVENT

In Mexico, people celebrate Las Posadas, which means “the inns.” They go from house to house looking for a place of shelter, just as Mary and Joseph did. Once they are welcomed, they pray and share special foods. Telling about the story of Jesus’ birth is another way we celebrate Advent.

Bless all families, Jesus, and fill their homes with joy and peace.[

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The O Antiphons are special prayers for AdventAn antiphon is a short prayer that we can sing or say. The “O Antiphons” are special prayers for Advent. Each one begins with “O,” such as “O Wisdom’’ or “O Lord.” These prayers ask Jesus to come and be with us. There are seven O Antiphons—one for each day from now until Christmas Eve.

What can you do for the next seven days to show how you are waiting for Jesus?

Fill in the list below.

O Jesus, show me how to wait with hope for you during this week before Christmas.

ThursdayDecember 17iTHIRD WEEKIN ADVENT

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DECEMBER 17

DECEMBER 18

DECEMBER 19

DECEMBER 20

DECEMBER 21

DECEMBER 22

DECEMBER 23

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Writing a message to Jesus

Write a letter to Jesus and ask for a gift for your heart.

FridayDecember 18iTHIRD WEEKIN ADVENT

In Germany, children write letters to Jesus instead of to Santa Claus. They ask Jesus for presents. The best gifts are ones that make us more kind and loving. These are presents for the heart. What kind of gift would you like Jesus to give to you this Advent?

Thank you, Jesus, for giving us the gift of yourself.[

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A nativity scene reminds us of Jesus’ birthA nativity scene is also called a crèche. It is a scene that depicts the time when Jesus was born. Many families place a nativity scene underneath their Christmas trees. When we listen to and tell the story of Jesus’ birth, we remember how much he loves us.

Number the pieces of the story of Jesus’ birth by placing them in order. Then draw the correct

order of scenes in the cartoon panels.

Thank you, Jesus,for loving me so much.

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___ Joseph cannot find any room in the inn

___ Jesus is born in a manger

___ Joseph and Mary travel to Bethlehem

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Christmas is almost here!

Fill in the spaces with the missing words to find the message the angels

gave to the shepherds.

SundayDecember 20iFOURTH WEEK

IN ADVENT

After Jesus was born, angels appeared to shepherds in a nearby field. They told the shepherds the good news of Jesus’ birth. As Christmas draws near, we give thanks and praise to God for the gift of Jesus.

Jesus, my heart is full of joy as Christmas draws near.[

_ _ _ _ _ to _ _ _ in the _ _ _ _ _ _ _.

Godhighest

Glory

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God took care of the Holy FamilyGod sent an angel to tell Joseph to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt. They would be safe from the cruel king who wanted to hurt Jesus. It was a hard journey, but Joseph and Mary trusted in God’s love and care.

Help the Holy Family find their way to Egypt by following the path in order of the alphabet.

Jesus, watch over all families who are in danger and in need of your love and protection.

MondayDecember 21iFOURTH WEEK

IN ADVENT

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A L M G E J

B W K S T H

L P C X Q R U V

F E D Y P K J W

G A Z N O H Y X

H I J M F G Z I

X B K L C K

M O Q V E V

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A star led the way to Jesus

Find five stars hidden in the picture.

TuesdayDecember 22iFOURTH WEEK

IN ADVENT

Jesus, let your light shine in my heart as I prepare to celebrate Christmas.[

After Jesus was born, wise men came from far away to find Jesus and to honor him. A bright star lit their way through the dark night. We can share the light of Jesus by loving and caring for others.

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Families share with othersIn some parts of Canada, families hold cookie-baking parties before Christmas. Every family bakes a favorite kind of cookie and then comes together with other families to exchange cookies. It is one way families share with other families during this happy time of year.

Find the pairs of cookies that match and draw a line to connect them.

Thank you, Jesus, for my friends and family.

WednesdayDecember 23iFOURTH WEEK

IN ADVENT

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Our waiting is almost over!

Christmas is filled with joyful sights and sounds. Use the pictures to help you find

the words to fill in the crossword.

ThursdayDecember 24iFOURTH WEEK

IN ADVENT

Jesus, thank you for Advent and for helping me wait and watch for you with love.[

Advent will end tonight as we celebrate Christmas Eve. How have you watched and waited for Jesus during the season of Advent?

S

Eq

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What gift will you give Jesus?When the wise men came to visit Jesus, they brought gifts to show their love for him. What gift can you give Jesus to show love for him this Christmas?

Draw a picture in the box of the gift you will give Jesus.

Thank you, Jesus, for coming into the world.

FridayDecember 25i

CHRISTMAS DAY

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