Advent Bible Lessons for Kids
As Christmas approaches, Advent is a beautiful time to help children focus on the true meaning of the season. The four themes of Advent are Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. Each point us to a part of God’s incredible story. Hope reminds us that Jesus is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. Peace reflects the calm trust Mary and Joseph showed, even when they didn’t understand God’s plan. Joy celebrates the Good News the angels shared with the shepherds, and Love reveals God’s deep care for the world through the gift of His Son. Below you’ll find creative ways to teach each Advent theme through simple lessons, activities, and crafts that point kids’ hearts toward Jesus.
What is Advent? 🎄
Advent is a word that means “coming” or arrival”. Advent is a time of anticipation in the weeks leading up to Christmas, when we celebrate the arrival of Baby Jesus. Each week, a different theme is focused on to help us prepare our hearts for the Christmas season. Love, Joy, Hope, and Peace are important themes at Christmas time. Advent is a celebration of when Jesus came to earth, but we also celebrate Advent as a reminder that Jesus is coming again!
Four Easy and Meaningful Bible Lessons for Advent
If you’re looking for an easy way to lead Advent Bible lessons this year, don’t miss this. These lessons are meaningful for kids and easy for leaders to prepare. They include detailed lesson plans, printable crafts, and hands-on activities.
Hope - Advent Bible lessons 🕯️
Bigger kids will create this printable Bible craft that showcases Old Testament promises fulfilled in Jesus.
In the Old Testament, there are around 300 prophecies about Jesus. When Jesus was born, he fulfilled many of these prophecies, and he would continue to do so throughout his life. The Israelite people had waited for hundreds of years for the promised Messiah, and Jesus’ arrival was the fulfillment of that promise!
During Advent, we remember the hope the Israelites had and how Jesus is the ultimate source of hope. And we also look forward to the future hope of being with Jesus in heaven.
Prophecies might be a tricky thing for kids to understand, so take time to look through the Old Testament and select a handful of prophecies about Jesus. Then create a paper chain with the prophecies. Or do a simple printable craft focusing on three prophecies Jesus fulfilled at his birth. Some other fun activities included making hope lanterns or playing flashlight games (because Jesus brings light into the world). Check out Hope Advent Lessons for Kids for more details.
peace - Advent Bible lessons 🕊️
Littler kids will create this handprint craft to remind them that Jesus brings peace to the world.
Jesus is the Prince of Peace! And God brings peace to our hearts, even in the most unsettling of circumstances. Mary and Joseph were faced with great uncertainty when an angel announced that Mary would give birth to God’s Son. Yet, in the uncertainty, God brought peace.
Many activities can help kids learn about peace, including several dove crafts (because doves are a common symbol of peace). Kids will enjoy getting their hands messy while creating a handprint dove. Or perhaps they would prefer a less messy craft, like a printable dove mobile. Take your children on a peace walk or make a paper plate dove. For more details on these crafts, check out Peace Advent Lessons for Kids.
joy - Advent Bible lessons 🎉
Celebrate the JOY of Jesus with this printable crown craft for preschool and kindergarten.
Angels announced the Good News of great joy! Jesus was born! This news is meant to be shared, and it can bring joy to the whole world! Joy is often used interchangeably with happiness, but joy is more than being happy. It’s a deeper knowledge that God is with us and that we can always trust His plan.
There are some fabulous activities to help children feel the joy of the season. Playing musical chairs while listening to joyful music can inspire children to praise their Heavenly Father. Make musical instruments, create joy crowns, or draw a self-portrait of yourself declaring joy to the world! For more information on these ideas and more, be sure to check out Joy Advent Lessons for Kids.
love - advent bible lessons ❤️
God is Love! God’s perfect love for us shone through when He sent His Son, Jesus, to earth for us. This marked the beginning of God’s rescue plan to bring His people back to Him. And this is definitely something to celebrate!
Check out Love Advent Lessons for Kids for ideas on teaching this Advent theme. You’ll find ideas like heart ornaments and a printable snow globe craft featuring the Nativity scene. To help kids connect with the Advent theme of love, take time to focus on how God shows his love to us, and how God wants us to show love to others. Brainstorm ideas with kids about ways they could show love to others. Challenge kids to do acts of love (kindness), then make a paper chain, adding a link for each act.
As Christmas draws near, Advent helps kids focus on the true meaning of the season. Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love each reveal part of God’s amazing story. Hope shows that Jesus fulfills God’s promises, Peace reminds us to trust God’s plan, Joy celebrates the Good News of His birth, and Love reflects God’s gift of His Son. These Advent lessons, crafts, and activities guide kids to keep their hearts centered on Jesus.
