It’s Advent – Time for singing! And carols! (And, if you’re a Brit, mince pies!)

When the Angel told Mary that she would give birth to God’s baby boy, Mary’s response was to sing – the Magnificat. When the angels announced the news to the shepherds, they sang it out across the heavens. And when he got wind of it, John the Baptist’s dad couldn’t help it either, he burst into song, too:

“because of the tender mercy of our God,
by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven
to shine on those living in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the path of peace.”
Luke 1:78-79

How do you capture the wonder of this glorious news? You have to sing! Which is why I wrote my Christmas story SONG OF THE STARS and a Christmas poem, which you can read below.

Also we have some free family advent resources for you, including a play (written by my sister) (a little less below).

May the wonder of this startling, impossibly good news break through to us this Christmas – and set us all off singing.

Song of the Stars FREE Christmas Play

Download the Children’s Advent Play Script HERE. Song of the Stars tells story of that very first Christmas–the world was about to change forever and it almost went by unnoticed…but a song drifted over the hills, animals lifted their heads, the night the whole universe was breathless with anticipation…

{Art © Jago from Thoughts to Make your Heart Sing by Sally Lloyd-Jones}

In the beginning,
before there was anything,
God’s building block—from which he would make the entire universe—was…

Nothing.

Out of the Void
The Abyss
The Emptiness
The Nothing
God makes
EVERYTHING.

His other building block?

Chaos.

Read the rest of the poem HERE.

Are you planning to use the Jesus Storybook Bible this Christmas season? Just like last year we’ve got a great roundup of free Jesus Storybook Bible advent resources for you:

• FaithGateway — Jesus Storybook Bible Advent Printable and Reading Plan

• StoryWarren — Family Advent Art and Reading Guide
• A Mummy’s Musings — Redeem the Tree: Putting Christ at the Heart of All You Do This Christmas
• Saramblings — A Felt Ornament and Jesus Storybook Bible Advent
• My Mundane and Miraculous Life — The Jesus Storybook Bible Hands On Activities
• Kelleigh Ratzlaff Designs — Jesse Tree Advent with the Jesus Storybook Bible
• Joyfully Weary — Jesus Storybook Bible Advent Calendar Idea
• Adriel Booker — Printable Jesus Storybook Bible reading plan
• All These Things — Color-in Printable Ornaments

Hope you find these great family advent ideas to be helpful. One last thing before you go…. I’d love for you to share your Song of the Stars and Jesus Storybook Bible advent photos with me on Instagram and Facebook and Twitter — and share this post with your friends. Blessed advent to you and yours!