Teaching in Advent

As Advent approaches, in the business of the season we have the privilege of leading children in the excitement of Christmas. Our privilege is to show them that this anticipation for Christmas is part of a much bigger story? One that stretches back to God camping with His people in the wilderness and forward to the day when Jesus returns to make all things new?

This blog helps you connect three major themes—Advent, the ancient practice often called the Feast of Tabernacles, and the promised return of Christ.

1. Advent: A Season of Waiting With Purpose

Children understand waiting—waiting for Christmas morning, waiting for a birthday, waiting for cookies to finish baking. But Advent teaches them that waiting can be worship. Advent is the time when we remember how God’s people waited for the Savior. And now we wait too—because Jesus is coming again!

Teaching ideas:

• Create a “waiting wall” where kids share something they’re waiting on God for.

• Light an Advent candle each week and connect it to a promise of God.

• Play a simple game where kids must wait for a signal—then talk about how waiting builds faith.

2. Tabernacles: God Loves to Be Close to His People

Long before the first Christmas manger, God gave His people a beautiful celebration—the Feast of Tabernacles—where families built small shelters to remember how God travelled with them through the wilderness. In John 1:14 some versions of the Bible describe Jesus, the word as one who tabernacled among us. In other words he came to live with us. God has always wanted to live close to His people, not far away. From his walks with Adam in the garden to his whole redemption plan. The Tabernacle in the wilderness, the presence of God at the feast, and later Jesus being born among us—they all tell the same story: God wants to live with us.

Teaching ideas:

• Build simple blanket forts or “mini tabernacles” and talk about how God camped with His people.

• Create a “God is with us” scavenger hunt—kids find cards around the room with examples of God’s presence (in creation, in His Word, through His people).

• Use glow sticks inside a little paper tent to symbolize God’s guiding presence.

3. Connecting Advent and Tabernacles to Jesus’ Return

Kids can grasp more theology than we think—as long as we wrap it in story, pictures, and concrete examples.

The big connection:

• Advent reminds us Jesus came.

• Tabernacles reminds us God dwells with His people.

• The return of Jesus reminds us God will live with us forever.

When we teach these pieces together, children begin to see the whole arc of God’s story: God came to be with us… God is with us now… and one day, He will make His home with us forever.

Jesus promised to come back—not to scare us, but to fix everything broken, wipe away tears, and bring His kingdom in full. It’s something good to look forward to!

4. Practical Ideas for Advent

Here are simple activities you can use throughout the Advent season:

A. “God With Us” Timeline Wall

Create a visual timeline:

• God with His people in the wilderness

• Jesus born in Bethlehem

• The Holy Spirit with us today

• Jesus coming again

Kids add drawings or symbols each week.

B. Soundscapes of Scripture

Use simple sound effects to reenact parts of the story—wilderness wind, sheep at Jesus’ birth, a trumpet blast for His return.Kids remember truth when they feel it.

C. “Home with God” Craft

Give kids a small paper house template.They decorate it with things that make a home warm—love, joy, laughter.Explain: “One day, God will make His home with us forever. Everything that hurts will be gone.”

Final Encouragement

Children’s ministry is planting seeds in soft soil. When you connect Advent, the ancient

celebrations of God’s presence, and the future hope of Jesus’ return, you’re giving kids something big and beautiful:

A picture of a God who comes close, stays close, and will come again.

You are helping them build a faith of hope—not fear; of longing—not worry; of joy—not confusion. And all this is because God is with us! That is Kingdom work at its best.