Christmas is a special time to reflect on one of history’s most profound events—the birth of Jesus. It’s a season filled with joy, anticipation, and the chance to create lasting memories with family. As a child, I vividly remember the thrill of opening my chocolate advent calendar each day, eagerly awaiting the tiny treat hidden behind each door. That simple tradition sparked so much excitement, and now, as a parent, I want to recreate that same sense of wonder for my children while weaving in the deeper meaning of Christmas.
Today, there are countless resources to transform the advent season into a meaningful learning opportunity that combines fun, faith, and family bonding.
This year we want to helps them connect with the story of Jesus’ birth in a way they’ll cherish for years to come. Here’s how we’re planning to make this Christmas unforgettable with our Nativity-themed Christmas countdown.
Our 2025 Nativity Advent Calendar Plan
To make this advent season special, we’ve designed a Nativity Christmas countdown that blends storytelling, activities, and small surprises to keep the kids engaged while teaching them about the true meaning of Christmas. Each day from December 1 to December 24, we’ll focus on a piece of the Nativity story, paired with a fun activity or small gift to bring the story to life. Here’s a glimpse of our plan:
Week 1: Setting the Scene
- Day 1: The Angel’s Announcement to Mary
We’ll read Luke 1:26-38 and talk about Mary’s faith and courage. The kids will receive Lego Angel to build from our Lego nativity set, symbolising the angel Gabriel.
Activity: Make paper angel decorations to hang around the house. - Day 2: Joseph’s Dream
We’ll read Matthew 1:18-24 and discuss Joseph’s trust in God. The kids receive Lego Joseph, to build from our Lego nativity set
Activity: Create a star chart to track acts of kindness throughout the month. - Day 3-7: Continue with key moments like the journey to Bethlehem, the census, and the search for a place to stay. Each day includes a small lego character to build as part of a lego nativity set and a craft, such as making a stable out of popsicle sticks or drawing a map of Bethlehem.
Week 2: The Birth of Jesus
- Day 8: Jesus is Born
We’ll read Luke 2:1-7 and share the story of Jesus’ humble birth. The kids will receive a small manger figure to add to a Nativity scene we’ll build together over the month.
Activity: Bake star-shaped cookies to celebrate the newborn King. - Days 9-14: Focus on the shepherds, the angels’ song, and their visit to the manger. Each day, the kids will add a new piece to the Nativity scene (sheep, shepherds, angels) and do activities like singing Christmas carols or writing a “good news” letter to share with family.
Week 3: The Wise Men and Beyond
- Day 15: The Star and the Wise Men
We’ll read Matthew 2:1-12 and talk about the journey of the Wise Men. The kids will build the lego wise men.
Activity: Make a star mobile or crown craft to symbolise the gifts of the Wise Men. - Days 16-21: Explore the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and discuss their significance. Activities include creating a treasure box for “gifts” (kind deeds) and learning about how different cultures celebrate Christmas.
Week 4: Celebrating the Saviour
- Days 22-24: Reflect on the hope, love, and joy Jesus brings. Each day includes a Scripture reading and part of our Lego Nativity Scene to build.
Activity: Write a family prayer or create a “gratitude jar” to fill with notes of thankfulness. - Day 25: Christmas Day – Jesus, the Greatest Gift
We’ll read John 3:16 and celebrate Jesus as the ultimate gift. The kids will open their Christmas presents and for our family it will be a time spent with cousins, Aunties, Uncles and Grandparents.
Why This Matters
This Nativity countdown isn’t just about chocolates or gifts—it’s about building memories that anchor our kids in faith. By combining storytelling, crafts, and small surprises, we hope to create a tradition that echoes the excitement I felt as a child while pointing to the heart of Christmas: the birth of Jesus. Whether it’s through a shared Bible verse, a homemade craft, or a moment of laughter, these activities are designed to spark joy and deepen our family’s connection to the Christmas story.
Some Idea’s For Your Own Advent Calendar
If you’re inspired to create your own Nativity-themed advent calendar, ideas of things you could use:
- Random Acts of Kindness – Include a random act of kindness for the kids to perform each day
- Nativity Puzzle – Break up a puzzle into 25 parts and build a section each day. This is a great activity to do while talking about the reason for the season.
- Bake treats together to gift – who doesn’t love receiving some home baked goodies!
- Build a Nativity Scene – Our wooden peg dolls are a great resource for creating a Nativity scene to display.
- Do an outdoor nature activity each day – We can be so busy with life, we can miss the opportunity to connect with God in nature.
Final Thoughts
As we prepare for Christmas 2025, I’m filled with anticipation for the memories we’ll create. Just as my childhood advent calendar brought daily joy, I hope this Nativity countdown will leave my kids with a sense of wonder and a deeper understanding of the greatest gift—Jesus. Here’s to a season of faith, fun, and family!
What are your favourite advent traditions? Share your ideas below, and let’s inspire each other to make this Christmas unforgettable!
