CREATING YOUR WREATH

1. Cut out your wreath template circle

2. Have everyone in your family, or just the kids, trace their hands on the green paper and cut them out. It will take about twelve hands to fill the wreath, but you can put as many hands on there as you would like!

3. Tape or glue the green hands on the wreath template circle with the fingers facing outwards.

4. Optional: glue or tape the red puffballs around the wreath.



KEEPSAKE IDEA: consider saving your wreath after Christmas, stringing ribbon through the middle to create a hanging wreath to display in your house every year to remember how little the hands in your house were this year!


Remember to share your pictures with us on Facebook and Instagram

WEEK ONE: HOPE


CANDLE INSTRUCTIONS

1. Color the "HOPE" candle sleeve. Traditionally, the hope candle is purple. But feel free to color it however you would like!

2. Roll the sleeve to create a cylinder and connect the right side to the left side with tape or glue. Be sure to connect the ends so that your candle is big enough! 

3. Place the cupcake tin in the top of the cylinder, and place the tea light in that. The cupcake tin rim should sit on the top.

4. Place your candle on the wreath, light your candle, and read the scripture and discussion thoughts below.

SCRIPTURE & DISCUSSION THOUGHTS

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 9:2 & Matthew 1:18-25


Discussion Thought:

Before Jesus was born, the world was in complete darkness. Not darkness like when the lights are off at night, but darkness inside everyone's heart. Fear, selfishness, and anger brought this darkness. Think about being in complete darkness. You cannot see or do much of anything at all. Because God wants us to do all the great things he has planned for us, he sent a Light. He gave us hope! God sent us the Light of the World: Jesus, as a little baby. This candle is also called "The Prophet's Candle" because God revealed to some prophets that he would send Jesus. God did as he promised and sent Jesus. He sent HOPE for everyone! 


Prayer: Dear God, thank you so much for sending Jesus who brings us hope even as we are in a broken world. Help us to shine the light of Jesus everywhere we go so that others will know of the hope you gave us! We love you, Amen.


WEEK TWO: PEACE


CANDLE INSTRUCTIONS

1. Color the "PEACE" candle sleeve. Traditionally, the peace candle is purple. But feel free to color it however you would like!

2.Roll the sleeve to create a cylinder and connect the right side to the left side with tape or glue. Be sure to connect the ends so that your candle is big enough! 

3. Place the cupcake tin in the top of the cylinder, and place the tea light in that. The cupcake tin rim should sit on the top.

4. Place your candle on the wreath, light your candle, and read the scripture and discussion thoughts below.



SCRIPTURE & DISCUSSION THOUGHTS

Scripture Reading: Luke 1:26–38 & Matthew 1:18–24


Discussion Thought:

Mary was a young girl with no husband. Do you think she was afraid when the angel, Gabriel told her she was going to have a baby and that it was God's own son? Joseph was a man who loved and obeyed God. How do you think Joseph felt when he heard he would be Jesus' earthly father? God sent an angel to talk to Mary and Joseph, that is why this candle is also called "The Angel's Candle". The angel gave God's PEACE to Mary and Joseph.


Prayer: Dear God, thank you for giving us peace in good times and in bad times. We pray that others will also get to experience your PEACE, praising you for your greatness! We love you. Amen.

Week three: JOY


CANDLE INSTRUCTIONS

1. Color the "JOY" candle sleeve. Traditionally, the peace candle is pink. But feel free to color it however you would like!

2. Roll the sleeve to create a cylinder and connect the right side to the left side with tape or glue. Be sure to connect the ends so that your candle is big enough! 

3. Place the cupcake tin in the top of the cylinder, and place the tea light in that. The cupcake tin rim should sit on the top.

4. Place your candle on the wreath, light your candle, and read the scripture and discussion thoughts below.



SCRIPTURE & DISCUSSION THOUGHTS

Scripture Reading: Luke 2:8-20


Discussion Thought: 

The shepherds were probably resting after a long day of tending their sheep. Imagine how surprised they were by the Angels! They were afraid and confused, but the angels brought the good news of great joy! After they went to see baby Jesus, they didn't just go back to their sheep. Instead, they spread the word about what they had seen and they praised God for what he had done. The shepherds spread the news of joy, that is why this candle is also called "The Shepherd's Candle". How can we spread the word about Jesus? What are some things he has done for you?


Prayer: Dear God, thank you for giving us a reason to be joyful! We pray that we will be joyful always, even when it is hard! We also pray that we, like the shepherd, will spread the great joy this season! We love you. Amen.

week four: LOVE


CANDLE INSTRUCTIONS

1. Color the "LOVE" candle sleeve. Traditionally, the peace candle is purple. But feel free to color it however you would like!

2. Roll the sleeve to create a cylinder and connect the right side to the left side with tape or glue. Be sure to connect the ends so that your candle is big enough! 

3. Place the cupcake tin in the top of the cylinder, and place the tea light in that. The cupcake tin rim should sit on the top.

4. Place your candle on the wreath, light your candle, and read the scripture and discussion thoughts below.



SCRIPTURE & DISCUSSION THOUGHTS

Scripture Reading: Luke 2:1-7 & John 3:16


Discussion Thought: 

Jesus was born because God loves you so much. His birth was promised many years before it happened, and the world was waiting for a new king. But Jesus did not come as a king. He came as an innocent baby in Bethlehem, where the smallest clan of Judah lived. That is why this candle is also called "Bethlehem's Candle". Jesus came to save the whole world from sin and darkness. God must really love you a lot to give you his son!


Prayer: Dear God, thank you for loving us and sending your son for me. We pray that we will remember this big act of love, making sure that everyone knows about it! Help us to let others know how much you love them too. We love you. Amen.

Christmas Day: christ


CANDLE INSTRUCTIONS

1. Color the "CHRIST" candle sleeve. Traditionally, the CHRIST candle is white. But feel free to color it however you would like!

2. Roll the sleeve to create a cylinder and connect the right side to the left side with tape or glue. Be sure to connect the ends so that your candle is big enough! 

3. Place the cupcake tin in the top of the cylinder, and place the tea light in that. The cupcake tin rim should sit on the top.

4. Place your candle on the wreath, light your candle, and read the scripture and discussion thoughts below.



SCRIPTURE & DISCUSSION THOUGHTS

Scripture Reading: Matthew 2:1-12


Discussion Thought: 

The wisemen came a great distance to see Jesus. They wanted to celebrate his birth. When you have a birthday, you probably have a party. Your friends and family come to see you and they bring you gifts. This is what the Wiseman did too! They brought Jesus gifts. Jesus is a gift himself from our heavenly father, God. We give each other gifts on Christmas to remember the gift of Jesus Christ!


Prayer: Dear God, thank you that we get to spend Christmas day with our friends and families celebrating you! Thank you for our many blessings and gifts, the greatest being your son! We pray that we remember the real reason for the season today!


We hope that your advent box was a blessing to your family this holiday season!