Scriptural Advent Calendar

• Scriptural Advent calendars can help family members to find spiritual meaning throughout the Advent season. Since most Advent calendars encompass 24 or 25 days, beginning with the first day of December, you will need to plan 24 or 25 scripture verses to include in your Advent calendar scrapbook. Some people tell the nativity story one verse per day until Christmas, when the remaining portion of the story is read as a family. Other people find verses referring to the coming of a savior, ranging from Genesis to Revelation. Create paper windows to be opened on each page of your scrapbook. Inside the windows, print the Bible verse to be reflected on for that day of Advent. Have your family members open the windows together and take turns reading and reflecting on the enclosed Bible verses.
  
  

Interactive Art Advent Calendar

• An interactive art Advent calendar invites family members to take the time to creatively experience the meaning of the season. On each page of your Advent scrapbook, enclose a pouch with an art supply. Leave blank space on the page where you and your family members can use the art supplies to draw and reflect about how you are preparing for the coming of Jesus. You might consider including supplies such as crayons, watercolors, markers, puff paints, oil pastels, origami paper, and more. Keeping the media varied will inspire your creativity as you reflect upon the meaning of each day of Advent.
  
  

Musical Advent Calendar

• Musical Advent calendars provide a time for worship and reflection as a family during each day of Advent. Incorporate music creatively on each page of your scrapbook. Consider choosing hymns and carols that your family can sing together and then put those hymns on the pages of your scrapbook. You might also find musical cards at a greeting store, cutting out the midi gadget and incorporating it into the design of your scrapbook page by placing it in a pouch or a mini Christmas stocking with a label reading, "press me."
  
  

Candy Advent Calendar

• Candy Advent calendars are perhaps the most popular of all, though you will need to take care that the spiritual meaning of Advent does not get lost in the excitement over eating a piece of chocolate. Purchase Christmas-themed baby socks from your local baby supply store. Attach a sock to each page of your Advent calendar scrapbook. Then, scrapbook your page around a single word to be reflected on each day as you and your family members enjoy your candy. Consider reflecting on words such as, "faith," "love," "hope," "Jesus," "Mary," and so on. When you put the chocolate in your mouth, close your eyes and reflect on the day's word silently until you have finished eating your chocolate.
  
  

Family Activity Advent Calendar

• Family activity Advent calendars provide a way to encourage togetherness throughout the Advent season. In pouches on each page of your scrapbook, place a piece of paper detailing an activity that your family can do to prepare for the coming of Jesus. You might include activities such as lighting candles on the Advent wreath, praying together, putting up the Christmas tree, or creating a birthday cake for Jesus. Be creative and think about asking the children for ideas on activities to include in the scrapbook so that everyone feels like they are contributing to the season.