The story is about to begin {Our advent readings from the Jesus Storybook Bible}

We filled 96 felt pockets on door-sized advent calendars last night. 96 tissue-wrapped gifts all numbered were put where they belong for now, waiting for their day to come.

I remember going to bed with anticipation every night from November 30th until Christmas. Sometimes, the anticipation was just too much to handle, and I’d cheat a bit. A big felt calendar covered the back of my bedroom door with numbered pockets. And, every morning before school, I’d get to unwrap a little treat that was stuffed into those pockets by my grandmother. Pretty pencils, stickers, a fun toothbrush, hairbands, just little things leading up to gift 24 which would be a handmade Christmas ornament.

That’s what advent is about, not dollar store treats and ornaments, chocolates behind cardstock doors, or even wreaths with lit candles. Advent is about anticipation. 

Judging by the way the children literally bounced with excitement, they get the anticipation thing. I wouldn’t be surprised to find some tissue paper shreds on the floor as the anticipation overwhelms one little girlie who can’t stop herself from cheating a bit. But, what are they anticipating?

I want them to anticipate Jesus, the story of the incarnation. I want to anticipate Him.

I searched. I pinterested. I blog surfed. And, I found some really neat family advent stuff.

{Enter feeling of being overwhelmed.}

Too many crafts. Too many requirements. Too many supplies. Too much for me.

I don’t want crafts and more things to fill my to-do list. I want Jesus. 

Last year, up late on December 1st and feeling defeated by it all, I found something I could do—one reading a day from The Jesus Storybook Bible. That’s it. No glue, no homemade dough ornaments, no sequins, no stress. Just a story.

There are a lot of stories in the Bible, but all the stories are telling one Big Story. The Story of how God loves his children and comes to rescue them. It takes the whole Bible to tell this Story. And at the center of the Story, there is a baby. Every Story in the Bible whispers his name. He is like the missing piece in a puzzle–the piece that makes all the other pieces fit together, and suddenly you can see a beautiful picture.

The anticipation is overwhelming. I can’t to unwrap it again this year.

Jesus Storybook Bible Advent Reading Plan
Jesus Storybook Bible 10 day Advent reading plan