Teaching children about the Advent theme of love is a beautiful way to help them understand the heart of Christmas. During the Advent season, families and churches reflect on the incredible love God showed by sending His Son, Jesus, to the world. These simple Advent crafts and activities invite kids to experience and share that love in creative, hands-on ways—reminding them that Christmas isn’t just about gifts and lights, but about God’s love shining through us.

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!

Advent Bible Lessons on Love for Children

Are you looking for a simple way to teach the Advent theme of Love? 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!
(Click HERE for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade versions!)

Click here for the preschool/kindergarten version

Lighting the Candle of Love

The printable Advent wreath is the perfect craft to complete as you light the Advent candle each week. It’s included in all Advent lessons.

Lighting Advent candles is a tradition of the Advent season. The four candles lit represent love, joy, peace, and hope.

When lighting the Candle of Love (or turning on the electric candle), take a moment to help children understand that God is Love. God’s perfect love for us shines through at Christmas. He loved us so much that he sent his Son, Jesus, to earth for us. When Jesus was born, it marked the beginning of God’s great rescue plan —a plan to save His people and bring them close to Him again.

Each of the Advent Bible lessons 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.

LOVE Craft for Preschool

Little learners will create this simple sliding circles craft that depicts John 3:16 and the manger - reminding them that Jesus is the greatest gift of love.

Preschoolers will enjoy a simple craft that helps them understand that Jesus came to earth as a baby because He loves us. Jesus is the greatest gift we could ever receive!

In this craft, kids will cut out two circles: one with a Nativity scene, and one with John 3:16 on it. The template pieces can be found in the Advent Lesson on Love for Preschool. Then, the kids will color and cut out the pieces. Use a paper fastener to affix them together so the Bible verse is positioned in front of the Nativity.

This craft can serve as a reminder that the entire Christmas story is a beautiful portrayal of God’s great love for us.

LOVE Craft for Bigger Kids

Create a simple printable Nativity snow globe scene to help kids remember that God loves them! This craft is 3D, so it can stand on a child’s dresser or nightstand as a daily reminder that they are deeply loved.

Use the template pieces provided in the Advent Lesson on Love for Bigger Kids. Kids will cut, colour, and glue the pieces together to make a three-sided snow globe, featuring the nativity scene, John 3:16, and the lesson’s big idea: “Love points to the greatest gift of all: God sent His son for us.”

The Candle of LOVE - 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 focus on the incredible love that God showed by sending Jesus for us. As kids sing, they’ll learn that God’s love never ends and that we can reflect that love in how we treat others.

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 Love

Heart Ornaments: There are several cute heart ornaments that you could make to accompany a lesson on love. Check out these heart ornaments made from beads and pipecleaners from Crafts on Sea. Or these heart salt dough ornaments from Live Well Play Together.
Love Challenge: God demonstrated the greatest form of love by sending His Son, Jesus. And God calls us to love one another. Brainstorm ideas on how your children can demonstrate love throughout the week. Some ideas might include making a card for a friend, helping a parent with a chore, or saying thank you to someone.
Love Paper Chain: Every time a child does something loving, add a link to a paper chain. Watch as the chain grows with every act of love!
Love Scavenger Hunt: Print verses about love on pieces of paper cut into the shape of a heart. Hide these around the room and have kids search for them. As they find a heart, take a moment to read the verse together before they resume searching.

Are you looking for more Advent Bible Lessons to teach this Christmas?

This 4-week Advent Bible lesson series helps children celebrate the true meaning of Christmas with lessons focused on hope, peace, joy, and love. Each Bible lesson includes hands-on crafts, age-appropriate discussion questions, and simple teacher instructions that make teaching easy and fun.

Advent Bible Lessons for preschool/kindergarten

Advent Bible Lessons for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades