Advent Lessons Made Easy: Exploring Sonlight’s Christ-Centered Unit Studies
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We just turned the corner into fall around here, but if you’re looking ahead (like me!) and are wanting to plan something meaningful for your family this Christmas season, Sonlight’s Advent Unit Studies might be just the thing for you.
Whether you’ve used one before or are new to these studies, they provide a wonderful opportunity to focus on Christ during one of the busiest times of the year.
Planning Ahead for a Christ-Centered Christmas
For our family, like many others, the Christmas season is filled with all sorts of festive traditions: decorating cookies, hanging stockings, and driving around to see Christmas lights (just to name a few!).
These activities are fun and memorable, but I’ve always tried to keep Christ at the center of it all and help my kids understand why we celebrate.
The Advent season is the time to do this!
What is Advent?
Advent is traditionally celebrated as a time of preparation and reflection leading up to the celebration of Christmas (“Advent” comes from the Latin word “adventus” which means “arrival”!).
In many Christian traditions, Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, so while the exact start date changes each year, the purpose remains the same: preparing our hearts for the coming of Christ.
During Advent, we reflect on the hope brought to the world through Christ’s birth. It’s a time for preparation and anticipation—not just of Christmas day, but of the deeper significance behind it.
In the midst of all the holiday busyness, it’s so easy to focus on temporary pleasures and overlook the everlasting joy that Christ brings…unless we’re intentional about it!
How is Advent Celebrated?
One common tradition during Advent is the Advent wreath, which is often displayed in churches and homes. The wreath typically holds four candles—three purple and one pink—with an optional white candle in the center, which is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Each Sunday, a candle is lit, symbolizing the light of Christ coming into the world. Families may read Scripture, pray, or sing hymns as they light each candle.
Many families also use Advent calendars to count down the days until Christmas. These calendars often include small treats or Scripture verses behind each door or window, helping to build anticipation for the celebration of Jesus’s birth.
Some people observe Advent simply by engaging in daily devotional readings or participating in acts of service, as Advent is seen as a time of both spiritual reflection and charitable giving. The focus throughout Advent is on preparing one’s heart for the coming of Christ, not only in celebration of His birth but also in anticipation of His return.
Sonlight’s Advent Unit Studies
As a homeschooling mom, I have tried a few different things with my kids during Advent, and one of my favorite options are the Advent Unit Studies from Sonlight.
If you’re unfamiliar with Sonlight, they are a Christian homeschool curriculum company that focuses on using real, living books instead of textbooks.
Their literature-based approach appeals to many homeschooling families, and they offer resources for preschool through high school.
For me, the biggest appeal of their unit studies (aside from the beautiful truths they teach) is that they are pre-planned, easy to implement, and come with many of the supplies you’ll need to use it at it’s basic level.
During such a busy time of year, I want the least amount of prep as possible, but something that packs a big punch—and I think these fit the bill!
When I realized that Sonlight had Advent Unit Studies, I was thrilled, as we’ve used their Amon’s Adventures Unit Study for Lent, and my kids absolutely loved it (and I did too!).
Sonlight actually offers three Advent Unit Study options, including Jotham’s Journey, Bartholomew’s Passage, and Tabitha’s Travels.
All of these are books written by the same author, Arnold Ytreeide, and you see the same characters pop up in each of the books (for example, Tabitha from Tabitha’s Travels is Amon’s mother). The books have such captivating stories, and are most suitable for kids ages 7 to 13…but honestly, the entire family will love them!
Tabitha’s Travels Advent Unit Study
Although it’s recommended to start with Jotham’s Journey, it’s not necessary—you can truly jump into any of these studies! Tabitha’s Travels follows the story of a character introduced in Jotham’s Journey, but it stands well on its own.
Sonlight makes it incredibly easy to implement these studies into your homeschool routine, especially during the busy holiday season. The included materials and structure help keep the focus on Christ without adding too much to your already full schedule.
Tabitha’s Travel Advent Unit Study comes with:
- The book Tabitha’s Travels by Arnold Ytreeide
- 28 days of thoughtful, well-planned lessons + notes and discussion questions
- A variety of craft supplies for the weekly craft project (you will need a few extra things, but this comes with quite a bit!)
- Recipe cards for your favorite holiday recipes from the unit study
- Bonus schedules for two additional Christmas read-alouds (optional)
If you have multiple kids participating, you can order an extra supply kit for them (or simply have them share/take turns!).
Each day you’ll read a chapter from Tabitha’s Travels, a story that revolves around characters that “lived” during the time of Jesus’ birth.
I especially love the devotionals at the end of each chapter. I think the discussions we will have from these will really help my kids understand the significance of the Advent season.
Here’s an example of what the daily lesson plans look like. Super easy to follow, and (aside from some of the crafts and baking activities) little to no prep!
You get four full weeks of lessons, and each day you’ll read a chapter from Tabitha’s Travels, read a Scripture verse, and do a craft or baking activity (most days).
There’s also another optional read-aloud built in to the plans:
After the calendar page, you’ll find even more detailed notes that break down exactly what you need to say and do each day.
You’ll find discussion questions, craft instructions, recipes, and all the help you need to confidently teach the lessons to your kids.
And definitely don’t get overwhelmed at the thought of seven days of lessons each week. Just do what you can!
Maybe you read each day, and choose one craft or one baking activity each week. That’s perfect. The book, Scripture, and discussion questions are great resources in and of themselves to help you create a meaningful Christmas season.
But if you have kids that LOVE crafting and baking, these Advent Unit Studies will give you that support you need, without a lot of prep and planning on your part.
Final Thoughts
I hope this gives you a good idea of how Sonlight’s Advent Unit Studies can be a valuable addition to your holiday season. While it may seem early to be thinking about Christmas, having something like this planned ahead can bring peace of mind and help you keep your family focused on Christ during Advent!
Click here to check out Tabitha’s Travels, or any of the other Christian homeschool curriculum Sonlight offers.
Does your family have any Christ-centered Advent traditions? I’d love to hear about them in the comments below!
Related Posts
- 25 Gifts of Service Advent Calendar + FREE Printable for Kids
- Make This Advent Special with an Advent Wreath Activity Kids Will Love
- Simple Advent Crafts for Kids: Countdown to Christmas
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