Nativity Story Advent Chain

The weeks and days before Christmas can seem like forever for children. Here’s a simple to make activity to help them understand the number of days until Christmas AND understand what we celebrate at Christmas. This Advent chain has Bible verses that tell a small part of the Nativity story each day. There is also a prayer suggestion for each day.

Since Advent is not a set number of days. — it can be 22 to 28 days long — all daily activities for Advent need to be adaptable for the different number of possible days.

To adjust this Advent chain:

If Advent is 28 days long, use the first four pages of this chain.
If Advent is less than 28 days, uses pages 1,2,3, & 5. (Note: pages 4 and 5 are the same except that page 5 does not have numbers).
- Figure out how many days Advent will be, and pick enough links from page 5 to complete your chain.
- After printing page 5, add numbers to the chain links you will be using from page 5
- For example, if you have a 24-day Advent, you could choose the first, second, and last link on page 5 to complete your Advent chain. Give them the numbers 22, 23, and 24.

Print the Advent chain. I like to print the first, second, and fourth page (or fifth, if you are adapting for a shorter Advent) on lavender paper and the third page on pink paper. This reflects the colors of the Advent wreath (3 purple candles and one pink candle).