An Advent Calendar for 2021

Sunday, November 28 – Find a Nativity set. Ask the children to identify different figures. Talk about why it is important to keep Jesus central in our Christmas celebrations.

Monday, November 29 – Read John 1:1-5, Listen to Savior of the Nations, Come, Pray for the Church staff as they prepare for the big Christmas services.

Tuesday, November 30 – Read Isaiah 9:2-7, Listen to For King and Country’s Baby Boy, Pray for peace in the world.

Wednesday, December 1 – Read Isaiah 11:1-10, Listen to Red Mountain Music sing Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus, Pray the Holy Spirit to help us celebrate Jesus’ birth with faith.

Thursday, December 2 – Read Jeremiah 33:14-16, Listen to Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence, Pray for people to have hope in Jesus.

Friday, December 3 – Read Matthew 1:18-21, Listen to Michael Card’s The Promise, Pray that God would help us hear his Word and believe Him.

Saturday, December 4 – Read Matthew 1:22-25, Read a Christmas story together, Enjoy some cocoa and/or eggnog while you read.

Sunday, December 5 – Over lunch or dinner tell the family one of your favorite Christmas traditions. Why is that tradition special to you?

Monday, December 6 – Read Luke 1:5-10, Listen to Sting’s recording of The Angel Gabriel Came, Pray for the people who are delivering packages and mail during the Christmas season.

Tuesday, December 7 – Read Luke 1:11-17, Listen to the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, sing O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, Pray for joy in the world, Pray for those who have lost loved ones and are having their first Christmas without someone.

Wednesday, December 8 – Read Luke 1:18-21, Listen to Michael W. Smith’s Gloria, Pray for the people working in restaurants and stores during our Christmas celebrations.

Thursday, December 9 – Read Luke 1:22-25, Listen to Chris Tomlin and Lauren Daigle sing Noel, Pray that God would use you to share the hope and joy of Jesus’ birth with someone.

Friday, December 10 – Read Luke 1:39-45, Listen to The Way It Will Be from “Child of Promise”, Pray for doctors, nurses, and medical professionals.

Saturday, December 11 – Read Luke 1:46-56, Bake cookies for your neighbors, deliver them with a “Merry Christmas!” – Bonus points if you sing a Christmas carol for/with them!

Sunday, December 12 – Watch Michael Card’s Christmas in Belfast Concert. What is your favorite Christmas hymn? Why?

Monday, December 13 – Read Micah 5:2-5 – Listen to BNL and Sarah McLachlan’s God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/We Three Kings, Pray for Bob as he teaches us about Jesus.

Tuesday, December 14 – Read Isaiah 7:10-14 – Listen to The Piano Guys’ Gloria, Pray for Pastor as he works on Christmas messages.

Wednesday, December 15 – Read 1 John 4:9-12 – Listen to Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s A Star to Follow, Pray for the Choir and their Cantata performance. The concert is at 7 p.m. Please come!

Thursday, December 16 – Read Psalm 98:1-3, Listen to Toby Mac’s This Christmas, Pray for Megan Polak and the preschool staff and students as they record their Christmas program.

Friday, December 17 – Read Psalm 98:4-6, Listen to HomeTown perform O Holy Night, Pray for all the people who will be traveling to celebrate Christmas.

Saturday, December 18 – Read Titus 3:4-7, Turn on some Christmas carols and do some housework as a family. Have a Christmassy treat afterward – cocoa, eggnog, cookies, use your imagination.

Sunday, December 19 – Watch A Charlie Brown Christmas Special with the family. It is scheduled to be on PBS at 7:30 p.m. (It can be found on streaming services, too.)

Monday, December 20 – Read Colossians 3:12-15, Listen to The Lower Lights’ rendition of Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella, Pray for Becka and her volunteers as she prints bulletins this week.

Tuesday, December 21 – Read Colossians 3:16-17, Listen to Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming, Pray for Kathy and all the musicians who will bless our services on Christmas Eve.

Wednesday, December 22 – Read Psalm 111:1-3, Listen to Matthew West’s We Need Christmas, Pray for the police, firemen, and EMS crews that work during the holidays.

Thursday, December 23 – Read Galatians 4:4-5, Listen to For King and Country’s Little Drummer Boy, Pray for all the people helping with worship, the readers, the people who set up and clean up, etc.

Friday, December 24 – Listen to Faith Hill’s A Baby Changes Everything, Pray for all the people who will be in church tonight, especially those who don’t believe in Jesus, that we might all hear and believe the miracle of Christmas – that Christ the Savior is born.

Saturday, December 25 – Read Luke 2:1-20 aloud with any family or friends you might be with. Pray this verse from From Heaven Above to Earth I Come, “Ah, dearest Jesus, holy Child, Prepare a bed, soft, undefiled, A quiet chamber set apart For You to dwell within my heart.” Sing some Christmas carols.

Sunday, December 26 – Come to church (one service at 10 a.m.), sing some Christmas carols.