Advent Activities - Family Worship

Advent is what we call the season leading up to Christmas. It begins four Sundays before December 25. For four weeks, it’s as if we’re re-enacting, remembering the thousands of years God’s people were anticipating and longing for the coming of God’s salvation, for Jesus. That’s what advent means—coming.
(Adapted from Treasuring God in Our Traditions, www.desiringgod.org)

I had an email link to the Thriving Family website today in my inbox and there I found activities to do with the kids for every day of Advent (28 days). These are short, simple, creative ways to incorporate a fun little activity that reinforces a passage of scripture. Great ideas if you're trying to find ways to have "family worship", but have no idea what "family worship" really means! The ultimate goal is to see how all of scripture and God's ultimate plan is found fulfilled in Christ Jesus - and have it make sense to our little ones!

Thriving Family is a publication by Focus on the Family and you can click here to see the full list of daily advent activities they have put together. This year, Advent begins Nov. 27 and lasts for 28 days. Here's one example.  ~ Tiffany                 

Week 1 — Day 5 — Thursday, December 1

Begin with God's Word: Genesis 22:1-13;
James 2:21-22
Activity:

Place a small trash can with a clean liner in a corner of the room. Tell your children to get a favorite toy, movie or video game, then ask them to place it in the trash can. If they protest, ask them whether they trust you and know that you love them.
Explain that God never intended for Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac. (You can return your kids' toys as you say this.) God was testing Abraham's faith. He was also giving Abraham a glimpse of His plan to save humanity: God's only Son would be offered as the sacrifice for our sins. He would have thorns on His head, similar to the ram caught by his horns in the thicket.

For more: Explore the importance of trusting God by reading to your children "Jacob's Gift" by Max Lucado from Christmas Stories.