Awaiting The Messiah Who Came and Will Come Again
Prophecy ~ Fulfillment ~ Consummation
Why Celebrate Advent?
Advent puts the focus of Christmas where it belongs, on Christ. Instead of the craziness of the holidays or the commercialism of Christmas, it provides an opportunity for families to spend 24 straight days, from December 1st to December 24th, in God’s word. At that point, Christmas truly becomes a birthday party for the Messiah. So, whether you use our study, the Jesse Tree, or a more traditional approach, I pray that you make your December about The One who came and will come again.
In this family study, we take a daily look at an Old Testament Prophecy about the coming Messiah, how Jesus fulfilled that prophecy during his first coming to earth, and the way that Jesus has, is, or will ultimately consummate that prophecy.
To further display the concept of Advent (which means the arrival of a notable person, thing or event), we also use and recommend a homemade Lego calendar. While it’s optional to the study, it creates a fun, tangible illustration for kids to experience the waiting and anticipation of Jesus’s coming. We explain the parallel to our kids in this way:
- Legos: We don’t let the kids know what they’re building. Instead, they only get the instructions and pieces they need for that specific day. So, they’re left to guess and talk about what the lego build will ultimately be. (The wild guesses at the beginning are especially fun for the parents who know the whole picture). Anticipation builds day by day until they finally get to see the whole set the way it was intended to be.
- Jesus: The Israelites didn’t know what the Messiah would actually be like. They only had prophecies or clues into God’s plan. So, they would talk about it in wonder, waiting and hoping for the Messiah to come. Wild speculation developed about a mighty earthly king, but He turned out to be a humble heavenly servant. We see that part in hindsight now, but we still await with our limited biblical clues the final picture of His second coming.
Lego Advent Calendars
Find out more about how we made and utilize these homemade Lego calendars.
Whether you use the Lego calendar or not, the main focus should always remain on the biblical passages. In fact, you can easily read the texts and talk about them with your family in 10-20 minutes . The entire reading for the day is less than 1 page, and it’s intentionally kept short with a child’s attention span in mind. Since we jump around to so many books and verses, I provide a brief context for each text.
Along with the daily scripture, each post includes examination questions, related songs, a short video, and a coloring sheet. On some days, I also provide additional insights to illuminate the greater biblical and/or historical context of the passage.
Again, if you want to know more about how we do it, click here. It’s really intended to be simple, quick, and hopefully effective. You don’t have to put on a big production. Just be intentional and use these tools in a way that honors God and fits your family best.
24 Days, 24 Studies, and 24 Opportunities to Point Your Family to Jesus.
Printouts
You’ll find a link to each day below; but, if you want a physical copy of the study as well, you can get the PDF version here. This is also the best location to print out every coloring sheet in one place.
24 Day Study
1 Day/Page Coloring Book
2 Days/Page Coloring Book
The 24 Days of Advent + Christmas
Just select the day you’re looking for, and it will bring up the Scriptures, questions, songs, videos, and coloring sheets you need for the day.
December 01
A Blessing For All Nations Through Abraham
December 02
The Rightful Ruler from Judah Over All Nations
December 03
A Prophet Better Than Moses
December 04
The Root of Jesse and Son of David
December 05
The Lord Over David
December 06
Born of a Virgin and Named Immanuel
December 07
Born in Bethlehem with Greatness Reaching the Whole Earth
December 08
The True Israel Called Out of Egypt
December 09
His Arrival is Prepared by A Voice in the Wilderness
December 10
A Great Light to People Walking in Darkness
December 11
A Miracle Worker Who Brings Freedom
December 12
A Teacher of Parables
December 13
A Baby Boy Will Bring God’s Peace and Reign on the Throne Forever
December 14
The Stone the Builders Rejected
December 15
The King That Will Come Riding on a Donkey
December 16
Betrayed for 30 Pieces of Silver
December 17
The Son of Man
December 18
Quietly Suffers Our Punishment to Bring Peace
December 19
He Will Be Pierced But Have No Broken Bones
December 20
Death by Crucifixion While Lots are Cast for His Clothes
December 21
The Sun will be Darkened and There Will be Mourning for an Only Son
December 22
Forsaken by God and Insulted by Humanity
December 23
Resurrected, Conquering Death, and Interceding for Sinners
December 24
The Temple Will Be Destroyed After the Anointed One is Put to Death
December 25
Happy Birthday to Jesus