Christmas Stocking Advent Cards

I've been scheming of a way to link up reading the Christmas Story with activities for my little ones.  So I made my own advent calendar.  I have 25 little stockings (holiday socks) hanging up on the mantle, 

and inside 25 little cards.

  The kids get to take one out each day.  Then we will read each card, and the scripture written on it and do the holiday activity.  The first day as we read about new life;  "The Branch of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him.", we will put fresh greenery around the house (and maybe put up the tree).  On the day we decorate Christmas cookies as we read about how Mary sang, " He has filled the hungry with good things,", and when we read about Mary and Joseph's trip to Bethlehem we will Drive around town to see the Christmas lights.  I did stick a few "Open a Christmas gift"  activities in to make it extra exciting.  I realized last year that books, no matter how much my kids like books, aren't as special on Christmas morning when toys are being opened.  So, I am planning on wrapping 3 books and craft activities and putting them on the bookshelf for these early gifts. 

My hope is that these little holiday activities will be an exciting way to make the gift of Christ real to them.  

So let me share with you my Advent Cards.  This Link leads to all 25, plus 7 blank ones in case you want to write in your own traditions. I didn't number them so that if we miss one no one will cry, but I did start with the prophesies about Jesus in Isaiah and end with the flight to Egypt.   I printed ours out on scrapbook paper that was blank on one side, cut them out, then covered them in contact paper.  Happy Christmas to you!

-Allison