This resource includes 12 different projects for Sunday school children. Many are just descriptions of the basic idea for the project, such as creating a Christmas card for the congregation, making Advent banners or posters, creating a local newspaper from Jerusalem on the day of Jesus’ birth, and staging a dramatic reading or skit of the annunciation. Most include enough prompting to get projects going, but some (like the drama) would need to be fully created on your own.

Also included is “Celebration of the Seasons,” which includes text for confession and forgiveness and a communion liturgy focused on the Advent season and the season of winter. It draws connections, for example, between evergreen trees and faithfulness, and between deciduous trees and the new life God brings from dormancy. There is also
There are additional liturgical elements such as a call to worship and an order for lighting of Advent wreaths each Sunday. These include explanations of each Sunday, scripture texts, and hymn suggestions.

Finally, there are explanations of several symbols of Advent such as gifts, ships, and roses, thoughts on Advent as a celebration of everyone’s birthday (new birth in Christ), and detailed instructions for making an Advent wreath from plastic lids, construction paper, and small candles.

With such a variety of activities, this resource can appeal to a wide range of learning styles. The liturgical elements combine verbal and musical elements, while the craft projects and dramatic presentations facilitate visual and bodily learning. Reflective learners will appreciate projects like the “Christmas colander,” where they catch memories from past Christmases and the meaning of the holiday. Interpersonal connections are strongly encouraged as children present their projects to the congregation.

There are activities here that would be good for students of various ages, though many might be difficult for the very youngest. Pre-school children might enjoy helping with some of the simpler craft projects, such as drawings for elderly friends and a Christmas card for the congregation.

These activities are easily adaptable to a variety of settings. Many of the projects described here are designed to be created in a Sunday school setting or at home with their families, then shared with the congregation. For that reason, this is a particularly helpful resource for congregations hoping to better integrate children and youth learning projects into the worship and devotional life of the congregation.