Family Advent Activities...For When your December feels full but your heart longs for more meaning....
- lisa thornton
- Oct 29
- 4 min read
Updated: Nov 6
Twinkling lights, glittery crafts, mugs of cocoa, and all the Christmasy things can make our homes feel festive—but also overwhelming. As homeschool moms, we want our children to experience joy, yet deep down we long for something quieter and holy: the true heart of Christmas.
If that resonates with you, I’ve created a gentle guide to help—my four-week family Advent study, Light Has Come. It’s designed for busy homeschool families, weaving Scripture, reflection, and connection into the season in a simple, meaningful way!
What Is Advent?
Advent means “coming.” It’s the season of waiting and preparing for Jesus—both celebrating His birth and anticipating His return. Over four weeks, families light candles, read Scripture, and reflect on four themes that tell the story of our Savior’s love:
Week 1: Hope – remembering the prophets’ promises of a coming King
Week 2: Peace – resting in the assurance that He is the Prince of Peace
Week 3: Joy – rejoicing that the good news has come to all people
Week 4: Love – celebrating the great love that brought Christ to earth
Each candle flickers brighter as Christmas draws near, a reminder that the Light of the World is coming—and already here.
Simple Ways for Busy Families to Celebrate Advent
Advent doesn’t have to be another thing on your to-do list. It can be woven gently into your daily rhythms—slow, meaningful, and real.
Read a short Scripture together each morning or before bed.
Light a candle and pray as a family once a week.
Sing a hymn while cleaning up dinner or decorating the tree.
Take a nature walk and talk about how even creation waits for new life.
Keep a simple Advent journal—just one sentence a day of gratitude or reflection.
Small steps still draw us close to Jesus. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s presence.
Five Scriptures to Reflect On
Week 1: Hope — Isaiah 9:2, 6–7 (NKJV)“
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined.For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder.And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and with justice from that time forward, even forever.The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.”
Reflection: Read this aloud and ask your children to notice the names given to Jesus. Let your family whisper one of those names together as a short prayer.
Week 2: Peace — Luke 2:13–14 (NKJV)“
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!’
Reflection: Talk about what “peace” means in your home this year. Perhaps light the second candle and pray for peace where your family needs it most.
Week 3: Joy — Luke 2:10–11 (NKJV)“
Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’”
Reflection: Ask the children to share one small thing that brings them joy today. Let the family celebrate that small joy and connect it to the larger joy of Christ’s coming.
Week 4: Love — 1 John 4:9–11 (NKJV)“
In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
Reflection: Close the week by inviting everyone to do a small, simple act of love—write a short note to a neighbor, share a cookie with someone who’s alone, or pray together for someone on your heart.
Bonus scripture tying it all together — John 1:4–5, 9 (NKJV)
“In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.”
Reflection: Use this as a reminder that amidst the busy, the Light has already come. Light a small candle and let the family sit in a minute of quiet as you read these verses together.
Four Hymns to Fill Your Home with Truth
Music helps the story sink deep into little hearts. These timeless hymns are perfect for Advent:
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Joy to the World
Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
Sing them while baking cookies or sitting by the fire, letting your home echo with worship.
Five Beautiful Books to Read During Advent
A single book can slow the season and fill it with meaning. Consider adding one (or more) of these to your homeschool shelf:
The Light Before Christmas – A family devotional exploring the theme of light breaking into darkness.
The Biggest Story Advent Book – Interactive for younger children, full of colorful art and the story of redemption.
The One We’re Waiting For – Illustrated devotional focusing on anticipation and reflection.
Jesus Calling: Advent and Christmas Prayers – Short daily prayers for little ones and family reading time.
Faithful Families for Advent and Christmas – Simple, meaningful ways to make the season sacred through reflection and family connection.
A Gentle Invitation
If your heart is longing for a calmer, more Christ-centered Christmas—a season where your family can truly rest in the story of Jesus—I’d love to invite you to join me in Light Has Come: A Four-Week Advent Study for Families.
It’s created with busy homeschool families in mind, with weekly themes of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. Each week includes Scripture readings, family discussion prompts, simple copywork, and meaningful activities to help you pause and reflect together.
Because Advent isn’t about doing all the things—it’s about doing the right things, together, with hearts pointed toward Him.
May your home be filled with soft light, gentle laughter, and the quiet joy of knowing that the Light of the World has come.
Warmly,Lisa
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