Advent is almost here, and in preparation for it, we have created a homemade Christian Advent calendar. This Advent calendar is different than other ones we’ve had in the past. For this one, each day has a different group of people to pray for and a Bible verse to go with it.
The goal for us is to pray for different people each day of Advent, so this calendar will help us do just that.
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Homemade Christian Advent Calendar Supplies
This craft does not take that many supplies to make, and you can use different items if you want. These are the things that we used to make our calendar.
- Mat Board or Poster Board (something stiff)
- Box cutter, Exacto Knife, or something else to cut out the tree
- Scrapbook paper or other colorful paper
- Circle Punch
- Hole Punch
- Reinforcement Labels
- Number stickers (or you can write on the numbers)
- Pens (we used Sharpie Art pens)
- String (we used embroidery floss)
- Big needle
- Something sharp to poke holes (we used a metal compass)
- Scissors
Homemade Christian Advent Calendar Instructions
This calendar is not difficult to make. The part that takes the longest is attaching the Christmas ornaments to the tree.
Step 1: Cut out your tree
We used a box cutter to cut out a tree from dark green mat board. We used mat board because we already had it, but you could also use poster board or something else that is stiff.
If it makes it easier, you can draw the tree with a pencil first, but it doesn’t have to be perfect. Just cut out a Christmas tree shape. Our tree is about 19 inches tall.
Step 2: Cut out your ornaments
Using scrapbook paper or some other colorful paper, cut out round circles with a circle punch. We used a 1 ½” circle punch to cut out 25 circles. Since we had some leftover scraps of paper, we were able to have quite a few different colors and patterns.
Step 3: Punch holes in your ornaments
Using a single hole punch, punch a hole near the edge on one side of each ornament. This will be used to hang the ornaments on your tree.
To keep the holes from ripping, we added reinforcement labels to the back of each ornament.
Step 4: Add numbers to your ornaments
We used a variety of number stickers to add the numbers 1 to 25 on our ornaments.
You could also just write the numbers on them with a marker if you don’t have number stickers.
Step 5: Write groups of people & Bible verses on backs of ornaments
On the back of each ornament, we wrote the name of the group of people that we plan to pray for on that day.
We also wrote where you can find a Bible verse that goes with that group of people. We couldn’t fit the whole Bible verses on the ornaments, so that is why we just wrote where you can find it.
You can see our list of people groups and verses later in this post.
| Related: Prayer Calendars & Lists to Help You Pray For People throughout the Year
Step 6: Poke holes in your Christmas tree
Arrange the ornaments onto your tree. Then, using something sharp, poke a small hole above each ornament.
We used a metal compass to mark all the holes on the tree. Then, we took the ornaments off and used our big needle to finish poking out the holes.
If you use poster board, it will be easier to punch out the holes since poster board is thinner than mat board.
Step 7: Attach string to ornaments
Cut string (we used embroidery floss) into pieces between 4 to 6 inches long. If you cut them shorter, if will make it hard to tie a knot, but if you cut them too long, it will mean that you will have to trim them later (and use more string).
Fold your piece of string in half. Poke the looped end through the hole in your ornament. Then, pull the end of the string through the loop. This will attach the string to the ornament.
Next, thread the ends of the string through your big needle. Poke the needle through the hole on your tree. Pull the string through the hole until the ends are through to the back side of your tree. Tie the strings in a knot right up to the tree.
Repeat for each ornament until you have all the ornaments on the tree.
Step 8: Attach a string to hang the calendar
At the very top of your tree, poke another hole into it.
Cut a longer piece of string and thread it through the hole with a needle.
Tie the ends of the string together, and then you will have a loop to hang your calendar.
People Groups & Bible Verses
These are the groups of people that we plan to pray for each day. The verses we included accompany each group of people. We have included verses from the NIV translation, but you could use another translation as well.
Day 1: Graduating college students
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” —Jeremiah 29:11
Day 2: Military families
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. —John 14:27
Day 3: People who have suffered a loss
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. —Psalm 34:18
Day 4: People with strained finances
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. —Philippians 4:6-7
Day 5: Lonely people
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” —Matthew 11:28-30
Day 6: Homeless people
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in. —Matthew 25:35
Day 7: Hospitalized or sick people
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. —Ephesians 3:20-21
Day 8: People traveling
For it is written: “He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully.” —Luke 4:10
Day 9: Overseas missionaries
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives. —Colossians 1:9
Day 10: People working in retail
In you, Lord my God, I put my trust. I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. —Psalm 25:1-2
Day 11: People who don’t know God
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” —Matthew 7:7-8
Day 12: Our government
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. —Proverbs 19:21
Day 13: School teachers
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. —James 1:12
Day 14: People who are really stressed
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. —1 Peter 5:7
Day 15: Estranged families
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. —Romans 12:12
Day 16: Churches
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. —Colossians 3:12
Day 17: People in nursing homes
Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. —Isaiah 46:4
Day 18: Service people (police officers, firefighters, doctors, etc.)
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. —Galatians 6:9
Day 19: Prisoners
The Lord hears the needy and does not despise his captive people. —Psalm 69:33
Day 20: Children in foster care or orphanages
Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. —Psalm 82:3
Day 21: Co-workers
Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. —1 Corinthians 12:14
Day 22: Family
Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. —1 Timothy 5:8
Day 23: Neighbors
“The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. ’There is no commandment greater than these.” —Mark 12:31
Day 24: Single parents
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. —Philippians 4:19
Day 25: Happy Birthday Jesus
(We did not write a Bible verse for this day).
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Do you use an Advent calendar?
Have you ever created a homemade Christian Advent calendar?
Do you typically pray for different groups of people?
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