Looking for a simple way to observe Advent with your family? We’ll meet you right where you are with daily prompts you can use on the go!
Our goal is to help parents discover a better, stress-free way to engage their children in faith-building moments throughout the Christmas season. Simple, stress-free + effective. That’s the heart behind Gather & Grow.
This Christmas season, we’ll be reading through the Bible from Genesis to Jesus’ birth in order to invite our children into God’s Story, sharing why and how Jesus came to us on Christmas. Gather together for 5-10 minutes each day in December. Read the Bible story then discuss how it applies to your life using the simple takeaway that connects each big Bible moment to our lives today. If you want to go deeper, use the memory verse to hide God’s Word in your hearts together. You can follow along here on the blog, or tune in on the go to Facebook + Instagram. Watch hashtags #gatherforadvent + #growonthego for your daily reading prompts.
BLOOMTOWN FAITH – our family devotion Podcast is here! Join us December 1-24 for 5 minute, audio Advent devotionals you can listen to on the go!
Looking for SIMPLE ways to enjoy the season with family traditions that won’t bring overwhelm?
- Lead your family through a Bible ADVENTure from Genesis to Jesus’ birth with the simple Advent Bible reading plan below, plus. . .
- Follow hashtag #gatherforadvent on Facebook and/or Instagram where I’ll post the daily reading and a conversation question so you can continue your journey – anytime, anywhere!
- Listen to BLOOMTOWN, our brand new Podcast with a corresponding, 5-minute audio devotion you can listen to on the go!
- Grab our adorable Advent Story Cards, created in partnership with Color + Kindness, to give your kids a meaningful, hands-on experience as you countdown to Christmas.
Advent Story Cards and the Bloomtown Podcast follow our #5andthrive Family Bible Study method.
This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. When you click on a link and make a purchase, a small commission may be paid to Gather & Grow which helps keep this ministry going. So thank you! Read my full disclosure here.
Read each Bible story in full text or with your favorite picture Bible such as The Jesus Storybook Bible
Week 1: The Story
Our family Advent study starts on December 1 as we begin counting down to Christmas. (Advent traditionally begins on the first Sunday after Thanksgiving or the first Sunday in December.) This first week we’ll focus on the beginning of the Story…what I like to call the “once upon a time” of our lives and the lives of our children. We’ll discuss Creation, The Fall, the story of Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Joseph, and Moses this week – foundational people and moments in our Story of faith.
December 1: Creation
(Read Genesis 1-2 or JSB, page 18 / JCSB, page 16 / BB, page 7)
Memory Verse: Psalm 139:13-14
Take Away: God knew you and loved you even before you were born.
December 2: The Fall
(Read Genesis 3 or JSB, page 28, JCSB, page 24 / BB, page 18)
Memory Verse: 1 John 1:9
Take Away: God forgives our bad choices when we ask him; he loves us no matter what.
December 3: Noah
(Read Genesis 6-9 or JSB, page 38 / JCSB, page 30 / BB, page 26)
Memory Verse: Proverbs 3:5-6
Take Away: When we know the good character of God, we can trust his instructions even when we don’t understand.
December 4: Abraham
(Read Genesis 17:1-8 or JSB, page 56 / JCSB, page 40 / BB, page 39)
Memory Verse: Romans 4:16
Take Away: We can wait patiently because God’s promises can be trusted.
December 5: Isaac
(Read Genesis 21:1-21 or JSB, page 58 / JCSB, page 44 / BB, page 46)
Memory Verse: Romans 8:28
Take Away: When we wait on God, we let him write the story of our lives.
December 6: Joseph
(Read Genesis 37 or JSB, page 76 / JCSB, page 54 / BB, page 71)
Memory Verse: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Take Away: When we understand God’s love, we are thankful and don’t need to compare ourselves to others.
December 7: Moses
(Read Exodus 2-3 or JSB, page 84 / JCSB, page 62 / BB, page 92)
Memory Verse: Psalm 46:1
Take Away: God is always with us.
December 8: The Red Sea Miracle
(Read Exodus 14 or JSB, page 92 / JCSB, page 68 / BB, page 111)
Memory Verse: Psalm 91:4
Take Away: Because God is always present in our lives, he knows our needs.
Week 2: The Process
Next in our Advent reading, we’ll walk through the process – the lives and stories that tell us more about how and why Jesus came to us on Christmas. From Moses all the way to David, we see the lineage of Jesus; the continuation of his family story. As we enter into each moment of our faith history, we begin to understand God’s process of redemption and his great love for his children.
December 9: The 10 Commandments
(Read Exodus 20 or JSB, page 100 / JCSB, page 72 / BB, page 120)
Memory Verse: Psalm 19:8
Take Away: When we follow God’s commands we will find joy in living well.
December 10: Joshua
(Read Joshua 1 or JSB, page 108 / JCSB, page 78 / BB, page 128)
Memory Verse: 1 John 4:18
Take Away: God will give us strength and courage in every situation.
December 11: Hannah + Samuel
(Read 1 Samuel 1-2 or JCSB, page 92 / BB, page 156)
Memory Verse: Psalm 37:4
Take Away: A heart of gratitude will open our eyes to see and understand God’s plan.
December 12: David
(Read 1 Samuel 16 or JSB, page 116 / JCSB, page 96 / BB, page 168)
Memory Verse: Ephesians 2:10
Take Away: God does not look at our outward appearance, he looks at our heart.
December 13: Facing the Giant
(Read 1 Samuel 17 or JSB, page 122 / JCSB, page 98 / BB, page 173)
Memory Verse: Philippians 4:13
Take Away: Our strength to win the battle against our “giants” comes from God.
December 14: Solomon
(Read 1 Kings 3 or JCSB, page 106 / BB, page 194)
Memory Verse: James 3:17
Take Away: True wisdom (knowing what to do) comes from God.
December 15: Jonah
(Read Jonah 1-2 or JSB, page 160 / JCSB, page 114 / BB, page 257)
Memory Verse: Luke 11:28
Take Away: God is good and worthy of our obedience.
Week 3: The Call
This week in our Advent reading we’ll follow the call – on lives such as Isaiah, Daniel, Esther, and Nehemiah who boldly obeyed God’s leading to go, to speak, to rescue and to proclaim him as Lord. As we share the stories of these heroes of our faith, we begin to see it all come together; God’s incredible rescue plan…a plan of hope and healing; a plan of victory for his people.
December 16: Isaiah
(Read Isaiah 9:1-7, 11:1-5 or JSB, page 144 / JCSB, page 120)
Memory Verse: Romans 1:16
Take Away: God asks us to share his good news with others.
December 17: Daniel
(Read Daniel 6 or JSB, page 152 / JCSB, page 122 + 128 / BB, page 251)
Memory Verse: Hebrews 10:23
Take Away: God is faithful and never-changing.
December 18: Esther
(Read Esther 4-5 or JCSB, page 132 / BB, page 240)
Memory Verse: Philippians 2:13
Take Away: When we follow God, we can do great things – right now, right where we are.
December 19: Nehemiah
(Read Nehemiah 1 or JCSB, page 136)
Memory Verse: 1 Corinthians 15:58
Take Away: We can do hard things with God’s help.
December 20: Elizabeth + John the Baptist
(Read Luke 1:5-25, 57-80 or JSB, page 200 / JCSB, page 142)
Memory Verse: Hebrews 11:1
Take Away: God wants us to trust him and believe he can do the impossible.
December 21: Mary + Joseph
(Read Luke 1:26-56 or JCSB, page 140 / BB, page 266)
Memory Verse: Isaiah 26:3
Take Away: God will bring peace when we say YES to joining his great adventure.
December 22: Jesus Is Here!
(Read Luke 2:1-7 or JSB, page 176 / JCSB, page 144 / BB, page 271)
Memory Verse: John 3:16
Take Away: Jesus came to save us and teach us how to live and love well.
Week 4: The Promise
We’re moving our way toward the center of it all, JESUS! This week in our Advent reading we see the promise fulfilled. Through the long-awaited arrival of Emmanuel, God’s promise of redemption and healing comes together as we welcome the Savior!
December 23: The Shepherds
(Read Luke 2:8-20 or JSB, page 184 / JCSB, page 146 / BB, page 277)
Memory Verse: Psalm 25:9
Take Away: God wants us to be his helpers, no matter our age, size or ability.
December 24: The Wise Men
(Read Matthew 2:1-12 or JSB, page 192 / JCSB, page 148 / BB, page 286)
Memory Verse: Psalm 95:6
Take Away: When we worship Jesus with our lives, others will see and want to know about him.
December 25: Christmas Prayer
Dear Jesus,
We are so thankful for God’s epic Story, the Bible. We know that these heroes and their big moments are a part of our Story, too. Thank you for coming to us on Christmas Day to invite us along on God’s great adventure. You are the best gift ever given and ever received. Your life brought hope, peace and joy to your people and still brings those precious gifts to us today. May we be an example of you everyday throughout the year. Thank you for the blessings you’ve given our family. We celebrate YOU today through giving, loving and experiencing joy in your presence. Amen.
Praying your family experiences the joy of his presence this Advent season.
