With the countdown to Christmas just days away, some might find themselves getting caught up in the stresses that can come with the holiday. To help center this Christmas on the true meaning of the season, LDS Living, Emily Belle Freeman, and David Butler—coauthors of Don’t Miss This—got together to form an advent calendar to make sure the Savior is at the center of your celebrations.
Beginning on December 18, we’ll release a 5-minute “Christ-Centered Christmas Celebration” video that focuses on different figures in the Nativity story. Each video will highlight lessons learned from Mary and Joseph to everyone in between who came to worship the birth of the Savior. But this isn’t your typical scripture study—these videos also invite viewers to take part in a Christmas tradition each day and include an action item to keep Christ the center of the holiday.
To help you prepare in advance of the first video, here’s a list of items that can help bring these traditions to life. Don’t have the chance to get them all? Print out these free ornaments and hang them on your Christmas tree or use them to decorate your house as a reminder of the lessons your family gained from focusing on Christ this season.
Wednesday, December 18: A nativity set with a stable, angels, shepherds, wise men, Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus
Thursday, December 19: A jingle bell on a ribbon for each member of your family
Friday, December 20: Heart-shaped sugar cookies
Saturday, December 21: Hot chocolate and a way to listen to Christmas carols
Sunday, December 22: A candle for each member of your family
Monday, December 23: Gold, frankincense, and myrrh (or items that represent these things)
Tuesday, December 24: A blank card and envelope for each member of your family
Starting on December 17, the video for the following day can be found at 7 p.m. mountain standard time on LDS Living’s YouTube channel.
In this children's' book, Emily Belle Freeman and David Butler will guide you through seven meaningful traditions inspired by the Nativity setting. These simple experiences are not meant to add more to an already crowded holiday season but to offer something different. They will give your family an opportunity to escape from the frantic bustle of the Christmas season and spend time reflecting on the baby Jesus and the miracle of His birth.