Advent FAMILY ACTIVITY BOOK
Welcome to the Archdiocese of New York Advent Activity Book!
This activity book is designed to bring creativity and reflection into your Advent season!
Brought to you by the Archdiocese of New York, this Advent Activity Book is our free gift to help your family prepare for the joy of Christmas. Filled with creative and meaningful activities, this book is designed to bring families together in faith and fun throughout the season of Advent.
From coloring pages that teach about the Advent Wreath to a cut-and-paste DIY Advent calendar and Jesse Tree ornaments to color and assemble, each activity offers an opportunity to reflect on the true meaning of this sacred season. We hope this resource inspires moments of prayer, creativity, and togetherness for your entire family as you journey toward the celebration of Christ’s birth.
Blessings for a joyful Advent season! ① Advent Wreath Coloring Pages
Cut-and-Paste DIY Advent Calendar
Color and Cut Out Jesse Tree Ornaments
①
Advent Wreath Coloring Page
• Start by coloring the wreath.
Shade in the leaves, ribbon, and decorations to make your wreath beautiful and festive!
• “Light” one candle each week.
Color each candle and add a yellow flame to “light” each candle every week.
▪ Week 1: Color the first candle PURPLE.
▪ Week 2: Color the second candle PURPLE.
▪ Week 3: Color the third candle PINK.
▪ Week 4: Color the last candle PURPLE.
• Take your time.
Each week, as you color a new candle, think about the meaning of Advent and how you are preparing for Christmas.
Have fun and make your wreath as colorful and special as you like!
#AdventJoy
Advent Wreath
WEEK 1:
This candle helps us remember to get ready for Jesus.
WEEK 2:
This candle reminds us to prepare our hearts.
WEEK 3:
This is our joy candle because Jesus is almost here!
WEEK 4:
This final candle tells us Jesus is coming very soon.
②
DIY Advent Calendar Instructions for Kids:
Let’s make your very own Advent Calendar! You’ll need two sheets of paper (Sheet #1 and Sheet #2), some crayons, and help from a grown-up.
• Color Sheet #1.
Use your favorite colors to decorate the top sheet. Make it festive and fun!
• Fill in Sheet #2.
In each box, write a short prayer or reflection for each day of Advent. It can be something simple, like “Pray for my friend [name]” or “Thank God for my family.”
• Cut out the doors.
Ask a grown-up to help you carefully cut out the boxes on Sheet #1 to create the calendar doors.
• Put it together.
Once the boxes are cut, line up the two sheets and tape, glue, or staple them together. Make sure the boxes on Sheet #2 line up with the doors on Sheet #1.
• Open a door each day.
Every day of Advent, open one door to read your special prayer or reflection. You can make a calendar for yourself or as a gift for a friend!
Have fun, and enjoy counting down to Christmas!
Advent Calendar
Advent Calendar
Jesse Tree Ornaments
Let’s create beautiful Jesse Tree ornaments to help tell the story of God’s love and prepare for Christmas!
• What is a Jesse Tree?
The Jesse Tree tells the story of Jesus’ family tree, from Creation to His birth. Each ornament represents a Bible story or person, like Noah’s Ark, David’s Star, or Creation.
• Color in the ornaments.
Use crayons, markers, or colored pencils to decorate each ornament. Make them bright and colorful to bring the stories to life!
• Cut them out.
Ask a grown-up to help you carefully cut out each ornament along the dotted lines.
• Display your ornaments.
You can hang them on your Christmas tree or create a special Jesse Tree by attaching them to a small tree branch, a poster board, or a wall display.
Have fun, and enjoy counting down to Christmas!
#AdventJoy
CREATION
God’s perfect plan begins
ADAM AND EVE
Our need for a Savior begins because of the first sin
NOAH
After the flood, God’s promise to humanity
God’s covenant of faith
ABRAHAM
ISAAC
Abraham’s sacrifice Trust and obedience
The story of Jacob’s dream represents the connection between heaven and earth
JACOB
JOSEPH
God keeping you in his protective care
MOSES
God’s guidance and law
Loyalty, love and faithfulness rewarded
JOSHUA God’s power and victory
RUTH
SAMUEL
Anointing of kings, God’s chosen leaders
Shepherd becomes king and God’s chosen lineage
DAVID
SOLOMON Wisdom and worship
Purification and prophecy
ISAIAH
JEREMIAH
Promise of restoration
The Mother of God
MARY
John the Baptist’s mother Joy of a promised child
JOHN THE BAPTIST
Getting ready for Jesus
ELIZABETH
Trust and protection through Jesus’s earthly father
JESUS
The story of the Nativity and a promise fulfilled
JOSEPH
Be sure to share your creations from any of the projects with us: your Advent Wreath coloring pages, DIY Advent Calendar, or Jesse Tree ornaments! Post a photo on social media, tag the Archdiocese of New York, and include #AdventJoy for a chance to have your work featured on our official social channels. Let’s spread creativity, faith, and joy this Advent season!
Illustrations by Vinny Bove