Hope - An Advent Christmas Bible Lesson for Kids
Teaching kids about Advent is a wonderful way to help them understand the true meaning of Christmas and prepare their hearts for Jesus’ coming. The Advent theme of hope reminds children that God always keeps His promises and that Jesus’ birth brought hope to the whole world. Through simple Bible lessons, fun activities, and meaningful discussions, you can help kids see that even when things feel uncertain, we can place our hope in God’s love and faithfulness.
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 the central themes of Advent. Advent is a celebration of when Jesus came to earth as a baby, but we also celebrate Advent as a reminder that Jesus is coming again!
Advent Bible Lessons about Hope for Children
Are you looking for a simple way to teach the Advent theme of Hope? Be sure to check out our scripted lesson plans, discussion questions, and printable crafts. These resources are perfect for children aged 3 to 8 years old!
Lighting the Candle of Hope
Each week, kids will add a new Advent candle to their printable wreath craft.
Lighting a candle is part of celebrating Advent. Hope is traditionally the first candle to be lit. This candle is also called the “Prophets’ Candle”. This is fitting because Jesus fulfilled over 300 Old Testament prophecies.
When lighting the Candle of Hope, take a moment to help children understand that for years, the Israelites had been waiting for the promised Messiah. They had hope!
When we light the Hope Candle, we remember the hope the Israelites had and how Jesus is the ultimate source of hope. It’s also important to reflect on the hope we have in Jesus: a future with Him forever.
Lighting a candle with your Sunday School class is a meaningful way to connect with the Advent season. In our class, we use a combination of electric candles in a makeshift wreath and a printable wreath craft that’s given to each child.
Each Advent Bible lesson includes a printable wreath (and candle) to accompany this process. As you light the Candle of Hope, you can also add the printable candle to each child’s wreath craft.
preschool craft - my hope is in jesus!
A simple angel craft for preschool that kids can trace and display.
Jesus is our source of hope! And in the Christmas story, angels were the messengers of hope. They tell Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds about the coming arrival of Jesus!
In this craft, found in Hope Advent Bible Lessons for Preschool, kids will make an angel to remind them that Jesus is their hope. On the angel is a traceable sentence which reads “My hope is in Jesus!” They can trace this and then decorate their angels.
Kids can hang their angel on the fridge, in the window, or on their Christmas tree to remind them of the great hope we have in Jesus!
prophecies fulfilled - a craft for Bigger Kids
In the craft for bigger kids, you will make a bible that’s filled with 3 of the Old Testament prophecies fulfilled in Jesus.
Older kids will enjoy a craft where they can examine three prophecies that were fulfilled at the time of Jesus' birth. This craft serves as an excellent springboard for conversation, helping kids learn that God kept His promises by sending Jesus.
Using the template pieces provided in Hope Advent Bible Lessons for Older Kids, have children fold their printable Bible, then color and cut out three printable ornaments. Each ornament features a Bible verse. Glue the three ornaments into the Bible. These Bible verses are prophecies that were fulfilled.
Not only does this craft help facilitate class discussions about fulfilled prophecies, but it will also serve as a reminder to kids when they share what they've learned with their parents.
The Candle of Hope - Worship Songs
Music is a powerful way to help kids connect with the heart of each Advent theme. Worship songs give kids a chance to move, sing, and express what they’re learning in a memorable way.
These songs remind kids that our hope comes from God’s promises and the good news of Jesus’ birth. As children sing, they’ll celebrate that even when things feel uncertain, we can always trust God’s plan and look forward to what he has promised.
Try using the songs above to open your Sunday School lesson, during transition times, or as a way to wrap up your class with worship and celebration.
More Advent activities for Kids
The Candle of Hope
Prophecy Chain: Look through the Old Testament with children and select a handful of prophecies about Jesus. Write them on strips of paper, and then attach the strips to make a paper chain.
Flashlight Games: Jesus brings light (hope) into the world! Play some flashlight games with your children as a way to connect to the topic of light. Check out Wilwaukee with Kids for some fun ideas.
Hope Lanterns: In keeping with the idea that Jesus brings light (hope) into the world, create some simple lanterns using jars, tissue paper, and tea lights. Decorate the outside of the jar by gluing tissue paper onto it. Then insert the tea light.
Hope Bible Hunt: Print Bible verses about hope into slips of paper. Hide these around the room and have children search for them. As each verse is found, read it out.
Are you looking for more Advent Bible Lessons?
This lesson is part of a four-week series about Advent that is perfect to use in the weeks leading up to Christmas. The other lessons are Love, Joy, and Peace. Each lesson includes a scripted lesson, discussion questions, and printable crafts.
