Beginning December 1st each year, my children would look forward to Advent calendars – usually with chocolate inside. 🍫 In preschool, they would create construction paper chains of red and green links, so we could have a count-down until Christmas at home. As they grew older, we continued the tradition.
And now, with them grown-up, no longer children, I find that my child-like faith wants to continue this tradition. Now my Advent chain links tell the story of God doing His New Thing. 💖
| But the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?” – Genesis 3:9 For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16 |
| Behold, I am doing a new thing. – Isaiah 43:19 |
| A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a branch will bear fruit. – Isaiah 11:1 |
| But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from old, from ancient times. – Micah 5:2 |
| Therefore, the LORD Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel. – Isaiah 7:14 |
| For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. – Isaiah 9:6 |
| The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor… to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our GOD, to comfort all who mourn. – Isaiah 61:1-2 |
| Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. – Zechariah 9:9 |
| But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities, the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed. – Isaiah 53:5 |
| “The time has come,” He said, “The Kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news.” – Mark 1:15 |
| Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. – Matthew 5:3-4 |
| Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. – Matthew 5:5-6 |
| Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. – Matthew 5:7-8 |
| Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. – Matthew 5:9-10 |
| Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one He has sent.” – John 6:29 |
| Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.” – John 14:6 |
| “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” – John 10:27-28 |
| Therefore, God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. – Philippians 2:9-11 |
| I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. – Revelation 1:18 |
| In a loud voice they were saying: Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise! – Revelation 5:12 |
| On His robe and on His thigh, He has this name written: King of Kings and Lord of Lords. – Revelation 19:16 |
| Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. – Revelation 22:12 |
| Anyone whose name was not found in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire. – Revelation 20:15 |
| I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Blessed are those who wash their robes that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. – Revelation 22:13-14 |
| And I heard, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them… he will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or morning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. – Revelation 21:3-4 |
Download the MS Word format with table rows of equal height. Cut out and create your own Advent chain.
PDF version available, too.