Tis the season! It feels like the hustle and bustle has already begun. Gift shopping. Party planning. Program rehearsals. Family reunions. It’s ALOT!
Oh and let’s not forget the reason for the season: Jesus!
In our fast-paced society, it’s easy to feel the overwhelm of Christmas. Even when we do our best to ruthlessly eliminate the hurry around the holidays, it can still feel like a lot. That’s why I love Christmas resources that lighten the load, and help anchor our festivities in Christ.
Illustrated Ministry has a beautiful collection of Christmas resources featuring diverse representation, hands-on activities, and the central message that Jesus is the reason for the season.
Nativity Stickers
I was first drawn to Illustrated Ministry resources after running across their Christmas Sticker Sheets. You may not know this, but it can be a struggle finding diverse representations of the Nativity Scene. And when one of the main take-aways from this story is ‘Immanuel: God with us’ showing our children representations that look like them (and their friends) is a simple way of passing along this theological idea. Illustrated Ministry consistently produces materials celebrating that black and brown bodies are made in God’s image. It’s an important truth that historically has been silenced in the church, making their work even more important.
The Night Jesus was Born: Interactive Storybook
The Christmas Stickers I picked up match the The Night Jesus was Born Interactive Christmas Storybook. When Illustrated Ministery reached out, you better believe I jumped at the opportunity to snag this for our Bookish Advent Calendar. It is so good! And I love that they have a church license so that ministery leaders can share this beautiful tool with their whole congregation (they have this for all their resources, making them a fantastic resource faith communities).
The Night Jesus was Born is a storybook with peek-inside windows, unfolding the events of the Christmas story. Gorgeous illustrations, paired with a simple Advent poem. The poem can be read forward and backwards, signifying that when Jesus came it was a night of backwards. Heaven came to earth. The first became last. Rich became poor.
God came as a baby.
You all! The intentionality in every part of this resource is mind blowing! Theology passed along in the simple structure of children’s poetry. It’s music to my ears.
This product also matches Illustrared Ministry’s Garland Ornaments.
Advent Wreath
We will also be using the Illustrated Ministry Advent Wreath this season. The wreath and included prayers pair perfect with our email club’s Pray n’ Play Christmas Study. My older kids are super into crafts right now, so I know they will love assembling this find.
If you have not picked up an Advent Study yet, besure to check out all the offerings from Illustrated Ministry.
Shop Illustrated Ministry Christmas Resources
Use code BABYDEVOTIONS20 for 20% off your purchase. Code valid through November 30, 2023.
Baby Devotions 