Christmas Story Advent Calendar

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Welcome to Day 2 of my 12 Days of Christmas Series.  If you missed Day 1, you can catch up here. Today I am sharing my Christmas Story Advent Calendar with you.

A Christmas Story advent calendar!  Write the Christmas story on the back of each card, read one per day ending with Jesus' birth.  Great way to teach kids the reason for the season

Do you countdown to Christmas with an advent calendar?  We had one every year when I was growing up. It was the kind where you opened the little door and there was a Christmas or winter themed picture inside.  There are so many different kinds of advent calendars and many involve candy or gifts everyday. I feel like my children will get enough candy and gifts on Christmas and I wanted the focus of my calendar to be different. This Christmas I am really trying to focus more on serving others and the true meaning of Christmas rather than just counting down to the big day. In my Christmas Story Advent Calendar, each card reveals a piece of the Christmas Story. This is an easy way to teach kids about the real reason for the season.

CHRISTMAS STORY ADVENT CALENDAR

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Supplies
18″ x 24″ Canvas
Hot glue gun
25 brads
Numbered pockets (I purchased these as Michaels last year)
Scrapbook paper
Paper trimmer or scissors

Before we get to the directions, here are the numbered pockets that I bought at Michaels last year.

A Christmas Story advent calendar! Write the Christmas story on the back of each card, read one per day ending with Jesus' birth. Great way to teach kids the reason for the season

I checked online for these and couldn’t find them and I don’t know if they are selling them again this year. If you can find  them or something similar, great!  If not, you can make your own with colored cardstock. Cut out two rectangles from cardstock. Punch a hole in the top of one. Wrap the other piece of cardstock around the bottom and adhere it to the back to form a pocket. Then you can either draw numbers on the front or use stickers.

DIRECTIONS:
Lay out your pockets onto your canvas so that they are evenly spaced. The 18″ x 24″ canvas size works perfectly! Once you have them laid out like you want, place a brad through each hole and into the canvas. Spread the brad out on the back of the canvas to hold your pocket in place

A Christmas Story advent calendar! Write the Christmas story on the back of each card, read one per day ending with Jesus' birth. Great way to teach kids the reason for the seasonThere may be some areas on your canvas where you cannot poke a brad through because there is wood behind. This happened to me on the very top row. In the picture below, the top row of envelopes lays right over the wood.  No worries though. There is a way to make it work!

A Christmas Story advent calendar! Write the Christmas story on the back of each card, read one per day ending with Jesus' birth. Great way to teach kids the reason for the season!

Place the brad through the hole in the pocket and then use hot glue to attach it to the canvas

A Christmas Story advent calendar! Write the Christmas story on the back of each card, read one per day ending with Jesus' birth. Great way to teach kids the reason for the season

Cut strips of scrapbook paper to fit inside your pockets. You can use either a paper trimmer or scissors for this step.  I prefer a paper trimmer because I do not have a steady hand when it comes to scissors. My edges always end up all wonky. By using a paper trimmer, I get crisp, even edges all the time. Write a verse of the Christmas Story on the back of each strip of paper and place the strips of paper into the advent calendar.

A Christmas Story advent calendar! Write the Christmas story on the back of each card, read one per day ending with Jesus' birth. Great way to teach kids the reason for the season

Now that you have your Christmas Story Advent Calendar put together, each night before bed (or whatever time you would like), read the verse together and discuss it with your children. Watch them grow as they discover the true meaning of Christmas.  Here are some verses that you can add to your Christmas Story Advent Calendar.

Luke 1: 26-27
The angel Gabriel was sent from God unto…Nazareth, to a virgin.

Luke 1:30
The angel said unto her, fear not, Mary for you have found favor with God.

Luke 2:6-7
She brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes.

Luke 2:7
And laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luke 2:11
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you, he is Christ the Lord.

Matthew 2:1
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem there came wise men from the East

Matthew 2:11b
Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gold and of incense and of myrrh

John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

 

A Christmas Story advent calendar! Write the Christmas story on the back of each card, read one per day ending with Jesus' birth. Great way to teach kids the reason for the season

I hope you’ve enjoyed my take on the advent calendar. I’m so glad that I made this advent calendar early this year. Usually I’m frantically working on one at the last minute and it doesn’t get done in time.  I hope that you will take the time this month to make and enjoy and share the true meaning of Christmas with your kids and family.

A Christmas Story advent calendar! Write the Christmas story on the back of each card, read one per day ending with Jesus' birth. Great way to teach kids the reason for the season

 If you like this Christmas Story Advent Calendar and want more ways to count down to Christmas, be sure to check out my Christmas Countdown Chalkboard.

 

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