Christmas is the time that we celebrate the birth of Jesus, but this can be tricky when others around us aren’t celebrating for the same reasons. How do we, as Christians, make time to slow down and reflect, during what is often called ‘the silly season’? More importantly, how do we help our children slow down and shift their focus for a nanosecond on anything besides presents and chocolates?
One way to do this is using an Advent Calendar. Advent is a time of preparation and expectation, a season of waiting, and starts on the fourth Sunday before Christmas (Sunday, 30 November 2025). The concept of an Advent Calendar shouldn’t be a foreign one, after all even The Warehouse sells them—though the link with the birth of Jesus can be tenuous at best.
Advent calendars offer a fun and engaging way for children to count down (or up!) to Christmas, building excitement and anticipation. Why not try starting a new tradition with your family this year? One that can be revisited and revised from year to year.
In this edition of the Kia Tipu magazine, we will outline some fun and creative ideas for Advent Calendars, without blowing the budget or your stress levels.
Liz Eichler
SUNZ CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TEAM LEADER
ADVENT CALENDARS
THANK A CITY WORKER LEAVE CANDY CANES TO FIND COOK AN EXTRA MEAL
PICK UP RUBBISH SMILE AT EVERYONE LEAVE A KIND NOTE A CARDCHRISTMAS ENCOURAGING NOTE LET SOMEONE GO AHEAD BE KIND YOURSELFTO BUY OR SOMEONEGIVE A DRINK
Here are some other ideas for working your way through Advent and towards Christmas that will again help you to stop and reflect.
Pull out all the Christmas-themed children's books you have, then look for more from your local second-hand bookshop. Read one each day leading up to Christmas.
You could do the same with movies—make a list and have special family movie nights.
Reverse Advent Calendar—each day put something in the basket or box for a
tINY HOUSE ADVENT CALENDAR ADVENT A BASKET-FULL OF(ORBIGBOX)
This resource includes a beautiful black and white template of 24 houses. Simply print the template, cut, and colour each one, and then place a Christmas surprise inside before folding them up and gluing them securely.
Put them on a table or a window ledge to create a Christmas village!
Read the Bible passages each day as a whānau together. Open the house and reveal what is inside (don’t forget to put something in). Look out for the kiwi designs as you journey together through advent. Download the template at sunzbreakthrough.squarespace.com/ resources/tinyhouseadvent
foodbank. Nonperishable items are best (can of corn, spaghetti, baked beans…) but don’t forget some special Christmas treats as well.
Create a gratitude jar: Encourage children to write down things they are grateful for on small slips of paper and place them in the jar.
RESOURCES
A VERY NOISY CHRISTMAS
How loud can you shout? How quietly can you whisper?
Discover how quiet, and how noisy, the first Christmas was, and find out how the birth of Jesus is something worth shouting about. $10
THE CHRISTMAS STORY BRICK BY BRICK
This faithful rhyming retelling of the Christmas story will help Lego-loving children to engage with the Christmas story afresh, highlighting the surprise and excitement of who Jesus is and why he came.
Fun rhymes make for a memorable and enjoyable read, while richly coloured, glossy photographs of real brick builds will inspire kids to get creative! (nb. Lego not included). $15
LOOKING FOR MORE RESOURCES AND INSPIRATION?
Check out our SUNZ Children and Families blogspot and Breakthrough websites childrenandfamiliesnz.blogspot.com | sunzbreakthrough.squarespace.com
Are you passionate about children’s ministry? Are you keen to see those in ministry encouraged, supported, and upskilled in their roles? Then we have the place for you! Scripture Union is looking to appoint someone in Auckland AND someone in Christchurch into the role of CHILDREN AND FAMILIES CONSULTANT. That is two vacancies in two separate locations, and both are vital roles for our churches. For the job description and/or more information, please contact Liz Eichler, Children and Families Team Leader, liz.eichler@sunz.org.nz
