Inside the Advent Calendar

Please tell me I'm not the only one out there that always overestimates what I can do, and underestimates the time it will take me to do it! I have been wanting, for a while now, to give you all an early Christmas present of sorts. I am working on graphics to put inside each box of my advent calendar.
I thought if any of you had made it, or already had an advent calendar, you might like the no-brainer approach, of printing off my inserts and using them in your calendar. The trouble is that it took me quite a while to decide what I wanted our advent to be all about, but now that I have compiled my advent list, I am going to share it with you (December is ticking away) in the hopes that the graphic will soon follow. But if not...at least we can get started anyway (Perfectionism, get thee hence!).

My calendar is spiritually based and is meant to provide a short teaching opportunity each night. I like the activity based advents, but know that I can't put many more "to do's" on our family list--they just won't happen. There are just a few "to do's" here, like singing songs, or a simple craft. I am only including treats on some of the nights. Your kids will probably love you more, if you fill in the rest of the dates with candy, but I wanted most of the gifts to have some sort of symbolism or meaning. The gifts I am giving (mostly Dollar Store finds) are listed in parentheses after each scripture. A lot of the inspiration for this advent can be found at sites listed here.

Without further ado...

Day 1- Read John 3:16—Why did Jesus come to Earth?
Day 2- Read Luke 1:26-33—Who told Mary that she would have a baby?
Day 3- Read Isaiah 7:14 & Matt. 1:23—How did Isaiah know what would happen? Why is it important that he did?
Day 4- Read Matthew 1:18-21—Why did Mary & Joseph name the baby Jesus?
Day 5- Read Luke 1:36—How were Mary & Elizabeth related? Who is older, John the Baptist, or Jesus?
Day 6- Read Luke 2:1, 3-6—Why did Mary and Joseph go to Bethlehem? (Include coins in the advent box)
Day 7- Read Micah 5:2—What does this scripture foretell about Bethlehem? Sing O Little Town of Bethlehem
Day 8- Read Luke 2:7—Why did Mary lay baby Jesus in a manger? (Include manger ornament craft kit)
Day 9- Read Luke 2:8-11—Candy canes, remind us of the shepherds' crook and The Savior, who is “The Good Shepherd” (include mini candy canes)
Day 10- Read Luke 2:13–14--Who joined the angel in praising God? Join with the angels and sing “Joy to the World”
Day 11- Read Luke 2:15–17--Where did the shepherds go after the angels left?
Day 12- Read Matt. 2:1–2 How did the Wise Men know that Jesus had been born? (include star stickers)
Day 13- Read Matt. 2:7–10--Where did Herod send the Wise Men?
Day 14- Read Matt. 2:11--How did the Wise Men show that they knew the young child was the Savior? (Include present shaped chocolates or other tiny gift)
Day 15- Why do we give each other gifts at Christmas? Read Matt. 2:11 and Matt 25:40. Here is a small present for you! (Include small gift like lip balm)
Day 16- Read Matt. 2:13–15--Why did Joseph take Mary and Jesus to Egypt?
Day 17- Read John 1:1-5—Why do you think we decorate with Christmas lights at Christmas?
Day 18- Read John 8:12—Christ is the light of the world. Christmas Candles and lights remind us of his light. (include small candles)
Day 19- Read Isaiah 9:6—What are some of the names of Christ?
Day 20- Read Psalms 66:1-2—Christmas bells are rung to make a “joyful noise”. Sing “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” (include bell shaped candy or small bells).
Day 21- Read Isaiah 61:1-3—Bows “bind up the broken hearted” and remind us that we are all connected, through Jesus Christ. How can we serve someone this Christmas? (include little bows)
Day 22- Read Isaiah 1:18 & Revelations 3:5. What does snow have to do with the real meaning of Christmas? Make a snowflake.
Day 23- Read Psalms 95:6-7—How do we worship Christ? Sing “O Come All Ye Faithful!”
Day 24- Read (and act out) Luke 2—Christmas is almost here. Here is a small gift. (Include Nativity trinket)
Day 25- Read Job 19:25—Enjoy this special day!