Ilumi Kids
Family routine7 min read

Christmas Bible activities in 4 weeks: an Advent plan for home and Sunday school

In December, children see stars, angels and nativity sets everywhere, yet they rarely hear the story from beginning to end. This plan tells Christmas in four parts, one for each week of Advent: the promise, Mary's yes, Joseph's trust and the shepherds' night. Each week has a short reading, a ready-made activity from this site and a simple family moment. It works for families in the evening and for Sunday school on Sundays.

How to use this plan

In 2026, Advent begins on Sunday, November 29, and the plan runs until Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24. Each week starts on a Sunday: Sunday school teachers use the Sunday for the lesson, and families use the evenings during the week.

At home, five minutes a night is enough: read the passage, ask the question and repeat the family moment. The activity from the site fits in once or twice a week, when you have time. If you already use our 24-night Advent calendar, this plan follows the same order.

The usual rule applies: the baby goes into the manger only on the 24th. Waiting teaches too.

Week 1 (Nov 29 to Dec 5): God promised a light

Hundreds of years before Jesus was born, the prophets announced that God would send a child, that he would be a light for people walking in darkness, and that he would be born in a small town called Bethlehem.

  • Reading: Isaiah 9:2 and 9:6, and Micah 5:2. For little ones, just Isaiah 9:6. In some Bibles, such as Catholic editions, these verses are Isaiah 9:1 and 9:5 and Micah 5:1.
  • On the site: set up the Advent calendar on Sunday. A jar with 24 numbered slips or a line of envelopes, with the reference for each night. Nights 1 to 5 (December 1 to 5) are this week's promises.
  • Family moment: read Isaiah 9:2 with the lights off and switch on a flashlight at the end. If your family lights Advent candles, an adult does the lighting; for little ones, an LED candle works just as well.
  • Time: 20 minutes to set up the calendar on Sunday; 3 to 5 minutes each night.
  • Age: 3 to 12. Up to age 6, the child opens the slip and holds the flashlight; from age 7, they find the passage in the Bible themselves.
  • Question to talk about: what helps you feel calm when it is dark?

Week 2 (Dec 6 to 12): Mary says yes

The angel Gabriel visits Mary in Nazareth and greets her (Luke 1:28). Mary is frightened, and the angel says, "Do not be afraid" (Luke 1:30). He announces that she will be the mother of Jesus. Mary asks how this can happen and hears that nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:37). Mary answers that she is ready to do what God wants (Luke 1:38).

  • Reading: Luke 1:26-38.
  • On the site: the illustrated story The Angel and Mary, to read together. In Sunday school, show the same story in classroom screen mode, one page at a time, or follow the lesson kit, which already has a plan and questions.
  • Family moment: make up a gesture for each word of the phrase "nothing is impossible with God" (Luke 1:37) and say it with the gestures every night this week. On Saturday, who can say it without looking?
  • Time: 5 to 10 minutes for the story; 2 minutes a night for the verse.
  • Age: the story is recommended from age 5. With 3 and 4 year olds, tell it in your own words and just show the pictures.
  • Question to talk about: when did you need to be brave? Who was with you?

Week 3 (Dec 13 to 19): Joseph trusts, and the journey to Bethlehem

Joseph finds out that Mary is expecting a baby and is worried. In a dream, an angel explains that the baby is from the Holy Spirit and that he is to be named Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:20-21). Joseph wakes up and does what the angel told him (Matthew 1:24). Soon after, an order from the emperor requires everyone to register in their own town, and Joseph and Mary travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem (Luke 2:1-5).

  • Reading: Matthew 1:18-25 and Luke 2:1-5.
  • On the site: print The Birth of Jesus word search, made with words from Luke 2:1-20. This week, your child looks only for JOSEPH, MARY and BETHLEHEM. Stick the sheet on the fridge: the other words are for next week.
  • Family moment: the walking nativity. Start Mary and Joseph far from the manger and move them a little closer each night. No nativity set? Draw the two of them on paper, tape them to a craft stick and make the journey around the house.
  • Time: 10 minutes for the word search; 2 minutes a night to move the figures.
  • Age: the word search is for ages 5 to 10. With 3 and 4 year olds, point to the first letter and let your child circle the word with a crayon.
  • Question to talk about: Joseph was worried and trusted God. When you are worried, who do you talk to?

Week 4 (Dec 20 to 24): the shepherds and the baby in the manger

In Bethlehem, Jesus is born and laid in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn (Luke 2:6-7). That night, an angel brings shepherds in the fields good news of great joy: the Savior has been born, who is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:10-11). Then many angels praise God. The shepherds hurry off, find the baby and tell what the angel had said about the child (Luke 2:16-17).

On Sunday, December 20, Sunday school has the lesson on the birth. At home, the week ends on the 24th with the whole passage.

  • Reading: Luke 2:6-20 over the week; on the 24th, Luke 2:1-20 from start to finish.
  • On the site, for Sunday school: The Birth of Jesus lesson kit, with a plan of about 45 minutes, and the same story in classroom screen mode.
  • On the site, at home: the illustrated story The Birth of Jesus (from age 3) or The Shepherds and the First Christmas Night (from age 4). Finish the word search on the fridge: SHEPHERDS, ANGELS, GLORY, SAVIOR, FLOCK, PEACE, MANGER and JESUS.
  • For ages 7 to 11: the Christmas crossword, to print or to play on the site. The last three clues are about the Magi, who came later; see the next section.
  • Family moment: on the 24th, your child places the baby in the manger. Then, like the shepherds, they choose someone to tell the news to: a phone call, a voice message or a drawing delivered on the 25th.
  • Time: 10 minutes for the story; 15 to 20 minutes for the crossword; 10 minutes for the full reading on the 24th.
  • Question to talk about: if you were one of the shepherds, who would you tell first?

After Christmas: the star and the Magi

The star and the Magi are not in Luke: they appear in Matthew 2:1-12. Magi from the east follow the star, find the child with Mary in a house (Matthew 2:11) and offer gold, frankincense and myrrh. The Bible does not say how many there were.

Many churches remember this visit on January 6, Epiphany. If your family wants to keep going, read Matthew 2:1-12 that day and use the crossword clues about the Magi, the star and the gifts.

In Sunday school: large class or small class

  • Small class (up to 8 children): read in a circle, with each child reading a verse or repeating after you. One sheet per child, and the word search becomes a race in pairs.
  • Large class (more than 15): show the classroom screen mode to everyone and split the room into groups, each with a helper. For the sheet, one copy per pair is enough and cuts printing costs in half.
  • Mixed ages: older children read the crossword clues aloud and younger ones look for the words in the word search. Those who can read help those who cannot yet.
  • No projector or printer: tell the story in your own words, show the pictures on a phone and write the word search words on the board for the children to find in the Bible.
  • Review: the next Sunday, start with the previous week's question. Two minutes that help the class remember what they heard.

So every child can take part

  • Children with low vision: enlarge the sheet when printing (A3, or 150% across two A4 pages) and use a thick marker. They can also listen to the story with the site's narration.
  • Children who cannot write yet or have motor difficulties: they point, and the adult circles or writes. The family moment matters more than a finished sheet.
  • With children under 3 at home: keep small nativity pieces out of reach and use large paper figures instead.
  • Every home is different: the plan works with a mom, dad, grandma, uncle or whoever looks after the child. If Christmas is a hard season for your family, shorten the reading and keep just the family moment.

The birth of Jesus lesson, ready to teach

For Sunday, December 20: a plan of about 45 minutes, questions and an activity, to print or project.

Open the lesson kit

Frequently asked questions

When does Advent start in 2026?

On Sunday, November 29, the fourth Sunday before Christmas. The other Sundays are December 6, 13 and 20. The plan ends on Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24.

What age is this plan for?

Ages 3 to 12. Each week gives the age for its activity: the stories start at age 3, the word search is for 5 to 10 and the crossword for 7 to 11. With little ones, read less and make the most of the family moment.

Why do the Magi and the star come later?

Because they are in Matthew 2, not Luke 2. The Magi found the child in a house (Matthew 2:11), after the birth. Many churches remember the visit on January 6, and the plan suggests reading the passage that day.

Can I use it just in Sunday school, one lesson each Sunday?

Yes. Each week starts on a Sunday: November 29 the promise, December 6 Mary, December 13 Joseph and the journey, December 20 the birth with the lesson kit. Send the week's question home so families can continue there.

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