Let's Prepare for Lent!

 

This Wednesday is the start of Lent.  Several years ago at the church that I was serving, we invited our families to invite "Flat Jesus" into their everyday routine during Lent.  They were asked to take "Flat Jesus," color him and glue a craft stick to the backside.  Every place that they went during Lent, they were asked to take a picture and post it on our church's website.

I hope you'll consider this fun activity with your family during Lent 2026.  You'll be able to find the file for Flat Jesus by going to my Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/joyfuljoanworshipplanning.

 

Merry Christmas - Faith-Based Advent Activity

 

Merry Christmas!  Today amid all of the busyness of the day, take some time and reflect on Jesus' birth and how we should make our lives a manger that holds the love that came down at Christmas.

Take some time to create a "Manger in the Heart" Paper Heart.

Directions:  

• Cut a large heart out of red construction paper or cardstock
• Out of brown construction paper, cut a shallow "U" or cradle shape
• Cut thin strips of light brown or yellow paper (1/2 to 1" long)
• Fill in the manger -- on each strip, write one thing you want to offer Jesus:  a prayer, something you're thankful for, a way you'll show love or serve others
• Add a message to the top of the hear -- "Make room for Jesus," Prepare Him room,"Jesus, be born in my heart"

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas Eve - Faith-Based Advent Activity

Make a Nativity Craft and Read Luke 2: 1-20

Happy Christmas Eve!  You've made it!  Hopefully these Advent activities have served the purpose of grounding you during this time of preparation.

Our final activity is to make a nativity craft.  We're going to keep it simple and make a "kid" friendly project using craft sticks.

Supplies:

Craft Sticks

Yarn

Glue

Felt or Cardstock

Directions:

• Construct your "manger" using eight craft sticks.  Line them up side by side and glue them edge to edge.  If necessary, glue 2 additional craft sticks to the back (crosswise) for additional stability.  Cut as necessary to fit.
• Approximately 1/2" from the bottom of the 8 glued sticks, glue a craft stick crosswise.  This is the bottom of the manger.  
• Make Mary, Joseph & baby Jesus.  Cut 3 craft sticks to appropriate lengths for Mary, Joseph, & baby Jesus.  Approximately 1 1/2", 1", and 3/4".
• Wrap brown yarn around the 1 1/2" stick, white yarn around the 1", and blue yarn around the 3/4" stick.  Leave enough space at the top for the face.  If you don't have yarn, use material or construction paper. 
•  Draw the eyes & mouth on each face.
• Use yarn or material scraps to add a hair to Mary & Joseph.
• Glue Mary & Joseph (upright) to the bottom of the manger with the bottom of the stick up against the craft stick that you glued crosswise at the bottom.
• Glue baby Jesus diagonally across Mary & Joseph so that it looks like Mary is holding baby Jesus.
• For the final step, take 2 more craft sticks & crisscross them above Mary & Joseph making the roof of the manger.  Glue them to the front of the manger base (above Mary & Joseph).  Cut a star out of felt or construction paper & glue at the top where the manger roof crisscrosses.
• Add ribbon for hanging. 

 

Now read Luke 2:1-20 with your family and place the manger on your tree.

Happy Christmas Eve!  He is born! 

 

Love - Day 3 - Faith-Based Advent Activity

Make a Handmade Gift for Someone Who Needs Love

This activity is your choice.  Think about all of the crafts that we’ve made during this Advent season.  Choose one of them or think of some other ideas – like a care package of goodies, a comfort care gift package.  Use your imagination, just make it personal.

Love - Day 2 - Faith-Based Advent Activity

Create a “Love Came Down at Christmas” Wall Hanger

Supplies:

2 Craft Sticks

Cardstock or Construction Paper – Dark Blue and White

Pencil

Colored Markers or Colored Pencils or Crayons

Glue

 

Directions:

·        Cut a rectangle out of dark blue paper.  Make the width slightly less than the length of you craft stick.  Length will depend on how tall your triangle (see below).

·        Draw a triangle on the white paper.  Make sure it is a little less wide at the base than the blue rectangle that you cut out.  Make sure the height of the triangle fits on the rectangle.

·        Use a pencil and 1) draw a small star (using lines) at the top point of the triangle – don’t make it too big and 2) fill up the rest of the triangle with the words “Love Came Down at Christmas.”   Vary the sizes of the letters so that you fill up the entire triangle.

·        If you have room at the bottom, draw a manger at the center of the base.

·        Once you’ve penciled in your design, use black and colored markers or colored pencils or crayons to trace of the letters & design.

·        Glue the “tree” onto the dark blue rectangle.  If you have metallic gel pens or markers, add stars to the dark blue background.

·        Glue one craft stick across the top and the other across the bottom.  Add ribbon to the back of the top craft stick for hanging.

Love - Day 1 - Faith-Based Advent Activity

Make a Heart Ornament with 1 John 4:19

This craft is similar to the ornaments that we’ve made on other days this Advent.

Supplies:

Red cardstock or construction paper

A Heart stencil (optional)

Pencil

Black Marker

Assorted beads, sequins, paper scraps to decorate the heart

Ribbon to hang

 

Directions:

·        Cut a heart out of red cardstock or construction paper – either freehand or use a stencil.  Make sure the heart is big enough for step 2:  writing the scripture.

·        Write 1 John 4:19 on the front of the heart.  Consider using heart shaped paper instead of the word “love” as you decorate the ornament.

·        Add additional decoration on the heart.

·        Attach a ribbon and hang it on your Christmas tree.

·        For additional inspiration, google “1 John 4:19 Heart Ornament.” You will find some cute designs and ideas for children.