Advent 2011: A Sing-Along Calendar

Sun
27 HOPE Isaiah 53:1-3 Look for a blooming flower. What makes it grow? Beautiful Day by U2 and Mistletoe and Holly by Sinatra and Deck the Halls 4 PEACE Isaiah 11:6-10 Draw a picture of one of these pairs (such as the lion and lamb) together. Peace on Earth by U2, Rudolph the RedNosed Reindeer 11 JOY Luke 1:39-45 Jump for joy! Joy by the Newsboys and Joy to the World, Scarlet by U2

Mon
28 Genesis 15:1-6 Try to count the stars together. Thank God for keeping promises. When You Wish Upon a Star and God of Nations by Newsboys 5 Isaiah 11:1-5 Pray together for wisdom, faith, and strength. O Come All Ye Faithful, and Another Christmas Song by Stephen Colbert

Tue
29 Isaiah 53: 4-6 Put on a band-aid to remind yourself that Jesus heals our wounds. Oh Come, Oh Come Emmanuel, Grace by U2 6 Psalm 89:1-4 How have we learned about God's faithfulness from previous generations? Share stories of family or friends. Boots by the Killers

Wed
30 John 14:1-4 Jesus will be back again someday! Celebrate with a special treat. Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home) and Tomorrow by U2 7 Luke 1:26-38 Name examples of times when God has done the impossible! Magnificent by U2 & Bachs Magnificat

Thu
1 Dec John 1:1-3 Share your Bibles with each other, be it an old family heirloom or a iphone app. Christmas Anthem by Landon Smith & The Real Matt Jones 8 Luke 1:5-13 Gabriel's name means "hero of God." What makes him the hero in this story? Gabriels Message by Sting and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing 15 Isaiah 52:7-10 Sing your favorite hymn of good news together. Go Tell it on the Mountain and Do you Hear What I Hear

Fri
2 Psalm 126 Read Dr Seuss Grinch Who Stole Christmas. In Like a Lion by Relient K, Blue Christmas and of course- Mr Grinch 9 Isaiah 53: 7 Glue cotton balls on paper to make a picture of a sheep.White as Snow by U2 and White Christmas

Sat
3 Isaiah 9:6-7 Why do you think evergreen trees are used for Christmas trees? Rockin Around the Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee and O Tannenbaum 10 Luke 1:18-25 Pray for your pastors to be brave & speak the good news. Joseph, Better You Than Me by the Killers & Elton John

12 Isaiah 40:3-5 Share stories about a bumpy ride. Who will make our way straight? A Great Big Sled by The Killers and Sleigh Ride

13 Luke 1:46-56 Write your own song of praise to the tune of Jingle Bells. Shake some bells, too! Jingle Bells and Silver Bells

14 Luke 1:57-66 Use a website to look up meanings of the names John, Jesus, Mary, Elizabeth and of names in your family.I Wish Everyday Could Be Like Christmas by Bon Jovi 21 Micah 5:4 Look together at a candy cane: See the shape of a shepherd's crook and the letter J. How is Jesus our shepherd? Candy Cane Christmas by Darius Drucker and O Little Town of Bethlehem

16 John 1:4-9 Look at Christmas lights together as a family. Who is our light in the darkness? Ultraviolet by U2 and Light these Lights by Debbie Friedman Christmas Lights by Coldplay 23 Matthew 2:9-11 What kind of gifts can you give Jesus today? We Three Kings and Little Drummer Boy

17 Isaiah 7:13-14 Look at some wrapped gifts. Talk about how hard it is to wait to open them when you know there is something great inside. I Believe in Father Christmas by U2 24 Luke 2:1-7 Talk together about each character in a Nativity display. Away in the Manger and Silent Night

18 LOVE Matthew 1:18-23 Thank your family members for all the special things they do for you.We Wish You a Merry Christmas by Relient K. & Mary Did You Know?

19 John 1:14-18 Look together at the Christmas cards you have received. Pray for each sender. Soul Cake by Sting and Merry Christmas, Heres to Many More by Relient K

20 Malachi 3:1 John the Baptist helped prepare the world for Jesus' arrival. How can we share the good news that He'll be back again someday? Frosty the Snowman and God is with Us by Sojourn

22 Zechariah 6:11-13 Make a small crown from construction paper and foil to place on your tree. Remember who is our King. You are my King/ Amazing Love by the Newsboys and The First Noel

Christmas Day! Luke 2: 8-20 Sing Happy Birthday to Jesus ! I Celebrate the Day by Relient K and Angels We have Heard on High