Bown Advent Calendar

December 1

Each member of your family can give the Savior a special gift by trying to live the law of love in some special way during this Christmas month.

Write what you are going to do to show love to Jesus on a piece of paper and put it in a box. Then, wrap the box up and put it under the tree. On Christmas Day, open the present and see if you gave the Savior a gift.

December 2

What was the name of the angel that came to Joseph?

What house was Joseph from?

What does that mean to you?

Read Luke 1:26–28.

December 3

Why did Mary go to Juda?

Who was Elizabeth?

What happened while Mary was visiting Elizabeth?

Read Luke 1:39–45.

December 4

Why did Joseph Leave Galilee to go to Bethlehem?

How do you think Mary felt?

Read Luke 2:1–7.

December 5

The sign for Christ's birth was fulfilled. What was that sign for the Nephites?

Read Helaman 14:3–6.

Did you know that the reason you see so many candles at Christmas time is because it is a symbol to remind you of the bright star at the birth of Jesus?

Light a candle and sing Silent Night.

December 6

Go and find a bell hanging somewhere in your house.

Did you know the reason you see so many bells at Christmas is to remind you of the sheep that came to the stable at the birth of Jesus?

Maybe each of you would like to write a poem about bells.

December 7

What was the sign for the shepherds?

Read Luke 2:8–20.

Did you know the reason we see so many candy canes at Christmas is to remind us of the shepherds that followed the star to find baby Jesus? A candy cane is shaped like a shepherd's staff.

Maybe everyone can draw some creative candy canes.

December 8

The wise men did not come the night Jesus was born as the shepherds did. They saw the star in the east and traveled far to see him. They arrived in Palestine from the east sometime later, perhaps even months later.

When Herod sent the wise men to find Jesus, did they return to Herod? Where did they go?

Read Matthew 2:1–12.

The first person who answered the question correctly will find a treat under the couch. Like the wise men, you have a choice to either share or keep your treat. Which will it be?

December 9

There is no account that tells us just how many wise men came to worship the Savior. There may have been three or maybe ten. But how many came is not as important as that there were wise men who came to present their gifts and worship this wondrous child. We today should remember that men who are wise still seek him. If they prayerfully seek, they will find Him.

Now go and seek under your pillow and ye shall find.

December 10

Can each member of your family give another name for Jesus?

Read Isaiah 9:6–7.

December 11

Have you ever wondered if Jesus really was the Savior? We all need to have the seed of faith planted in our hearts. As we take care of it and it begins to form, our faith fills our lives with blessings and we find miracles happening in our lives. These may not be miracles like the moving of mountains, but we will notice changes taking place in ourselves and those around us that we thought would never happen. We will feel the blessings of our Heavenly Father in our lives and have reason to rejoice. We will have the confidence and strength to hold on to the iron rod until we reach eternal life.

Can you find a plant in your house that grew from a seed?

That seed was planted just like your own seed of faith that must be planted in your heart and then fed and nourished.

December 12

How did the Nephites who lived on the American continent know that Christ would be born?

Read Helaman 14:1–2.

How many years did Samuel the Lamanite prophesy would pass before the sign of Christ's birth would be given?

Would you have believed Samuel the Lamanite? Did all the people believe him?

Read 3 Nephi 1:4–9.

December 13

What did Jesus do when he was tempted?

Read Matthew 4:2–10.

Is there someone in the family that would like to share an experience they have had when they were able to overcome a tempation?

December 14

What did Christ do for the sick and handicapped?

Read Mark 6:53–56.

Read Mark 7:31–35.

Now go and look in the refrigerator for a dessert you could share with someone you know is not feeling on top of the world today.

December 15

Was Christ kind? Give an example of his kindness.

Now ask your dad to leave the room. Is he gone?

Your very own dad is a kind man who is trying to be as kind as the Savior.

What could you as a family do to show kindness to your dad? Keep this a secret until tomorrow night, then surprise him with it.

December 16

What did Christ do when someone offended Him?

Read Matthew 27:29–31.

Your very own bishop is a forgiving man. He understands that we are all going to do things that are wrong and that we will regret later.

How could you as a family show your love to your bishop? Maybe you could all write a letter or make a special treat and secretly deliver it to him tonight.

December 17

How did Christ feel towards those who were cruel to him?

Read Luke 23:34.

Choose a friend that has not always been kind to you. Now go look under your pillow for a treat. Tomorrow share your treat with your friend at school or wherever. Try not to let them know who gave it to them.

December 18

Make this month a time of tenderness, peace, and appreciation. By showing love for each family member, not by the material gifts you give, but by the way you treat and feel towards others.

Do a secret act of kindness for someone else in your family. Be sure to keep it a secret.

December 19

How did Jesus feel about truth?

Read John 8:32.

Your Primary teacher, Sunday School teacher, or Youth Leader is trying to teach you many things that are true, just like the Savior did to those around him.

How about giving your teacher a note or a special gift of appreciation?

December 20

What did Jesus teach us about prayer?

Read Matthew 6:5–13.

Your mom has taught you about prayer since the day you were born.

Ask your mom to leave the room for a moment. Is she gone?

Can you think of a wonderful service you can do for your mom over the next could of days? Try to make it a surprise.

December 21

How did Christ feel about little children?

Read Mark 10:13–16.

Take time to read a story or play a game with someone younger in your family or even a neighbor. Maybe a quick game as a family would be fun.

December 22

Christ taught many things. What did he teach us about baptism?

Read Matthew 3:13–17.

December 23

There is a surprise for you in the mailbox!

After you are in your pajamas, choose someone to share the special story you found in the mailbox. A cup of hot chocolate sounds good too.

December 24

Tonight is a special night.

Sing Christmas carols to a few neighbors or as a family around a lit candle. Take time to sing everyone's favorite Christmas carol. If the time is appropriate, have dad lead the family in a testimony sharing time. Discuss how you have felt closer to Christ this month.

December 25

Remember to unwrap your present under the tree containing your special gift you wanted to give Christ this Christmas season. Read and evaluate how you did and what changes you made that you like and would want to cary on to the New Year.

Try and record your thoughts and/or testimony in a journal to reflect on through the years. Remember how much love Jesus has for all of His children.

Most of all, have a very Merry Christmas!