Free Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany Resources
In this season of joyful anticipation, we invite you to use and share this interactive Advent calendar of activities to prepare for Jesus’ birth. With prayers, projects, and reflections for every day through Epiphany, these resources can be used in your ministry or shared with families to use at home.
We also invite you to download free Advent lessons for use in your classroom or faith formation program. Each lesson comes complete with everything needed to help young people enter more deeply into the season!
Free Advent Lesson Plans for Parishes
Use these free Advent lessons for faith formation classes, youth groups or Sunday school gatherings. Meant for parishes, these activities are for children through teenagers.
Advent Lessons for Kids
Our elementary lesson plans for grades K–5, taken from our faith formation program, Discover! Finding Faith in Life, will help prepare young hearts to welcome Jesus.
Advent Lesson for Tweens
This Advent lesson for teens—taken from our middle school faith formation program, Connect! Bringing Faith to Life—is a perfect way to introduce young people to how the Old Testament prophets waited in hope for the coming Messiah.
Advent Activity for Teens
In our free Advent activity, teens will use Scripture and special features from The Catholic Youth Bible® to encounter Jesus in a more meaningful way. This activity is well-suited to youth group, faith formation, or religious education use.
Free Advent Lesson Plans for Schools
Use these free Advent lessons in your classroom to foster discussion and understanding for this key liturgical season. Meant for schools, these activities are for K–12 students.
Advent Lessons for Elementary Students
Our elementary lesson plans for grades K–5, taken from our religious education program, Discover! Finding Faith in Life, will help prepare young hearts to welcome Jesus.
Advent Lesson for Middle School Students
This Advent lesson for teens—taken from our religious education program, Connect! Bringing Faith to Life—is a perfect way to introduce young people to how the Old Testament prophets waited in hope for the coming Messiah.
Advent Activity for High School Students
In our free Advent lesson, students will explore the prophets and their relationship to Christ while finding practical ways to take these ancient texts and use their wisdom in their own lives.
Free Advent Reading Plans for Families
Families grow together through reading plans from The Catholic Youth Bible and The Catholic Children’s Bible that bring Scripture, reflection, and faith to life.
Interactive Advent Calendar
As the flurry of Advent activities begins, take a moment to reflect and prepare mindfully with the article “Keeping Advent.” Download and print the calendar, or bookmark this page to come back to each day for prayers, activities, and inspiration throughout the seasons of Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany! You can also sign up to receive weekly emails with the upcoming week’s activities.
November 30: First Sunday of Advent
Set up your Advent wreath and light the first candle.
Christians understand the Old Testament as preparing us for the coming of Jesus Christ. Here are some of the passages that connect the Old Testament to the New Testament.
Consider reflecting on one connection each Sunday of Advent as you prepare for the coming of Jesus.
December 1
Advent is about preparing for the “three comings” of Jesus: his Nativity in history, his coming again in the future, and his coming into our hearts today. As you decorate and prepare a special place in your home for the Advent season, reflect on or discuss ways you can “decorate” and prepare your hearts for Jesus this Advent.
December 2
Today’s first reading from Isaiah paints a picture of the peaceable kingdom. Explore the prophet’s poetic images and a prayer for peace.
December 3: Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier
Celebrate Saint Francis Xavier by learning more about him and choosing a missionary society to pray for.
December 4
Identify who is in need within your community and consider some ways you can provide for them. You can use the “‘Be a Servant’ Stars Craft” in your classroom or household to help young people plan acts of service this Advent.
December 5
Do you have a Nativity scene in your home or classroom? Prepare the manger with acts of love! Use strips of paper, decorative straw, or yarn. Every time someone performs an act of love or service for a family member, friend, or classmate, have them add a strip to the manger. (You can create a list of ideas or write ideas on the paper strips to get started.)
December 6
This weekend, make a plan as a family to perform an important work of mercy by sending Christmas cards to those who are imprisoned.
December 7: Second Sunday of Advent
Light the second candle on the Advent wreath.
Reflect on today’s Gospel by reading more about John the Baptist.
December 8: Immaculate Conception
Today we celebrate Mary having been born without sin. Her heart was ready to birth Jesus, the Son of God. Explore Mary’s “yes” in the Gospel of Luke today.
December 9
December 7 was the Memorial of Saint Ambrose. Take some time to learn more about Saint Ambrose. Pray about and discuss ways you can stand true to your faith, even when faced with disagreement.
December 10
Plan a time to receive the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation this Advent (individually or as a family).
December 11
We talk about Mary a lot during Advent, especially this week. Spend some special time with Mary in prayer.
December 12: Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Many migrants look to Our Lady of Guadalupe as a source of strength and intercession. Take time today to pray for migrants around the world.
December 13: Memorial of Saint Lucy
Discover Saint Lucy together. In Scandinavian countries, Saint Lucy’s Day is celebrated with special breads. Consider baking something together and then offering some to an individual or family you know in your neighborhood or parish who may be having a difficult season. Let them know you are thinking of them and praying for them.
December 14: Third Sunday of Advent
Light the pink candle, a symbol of joy, on the Advent wreath.
During this week of Advent joy, explore this portion of Saint Paul’s letter to the Philippians, which encourages us to rejoice and give thanks.
December 15
As we are over halfway through our journey of Advent, take some time to reflect. How have you been present to God? How have you not been present? Try this daily examen from Saint Ignatius before going to bed tonight.
December 16
Mary trusted God’s Word completely. What are some ways God might be calling you to trust in him?
December 17
Today begins the traditional “O Antiphons” of Advent. Each antiphon is a name of Christ, as mentioned in the Scriptures. Research them, find them on YouTube, and pray with them!
December 18
In the busyness of preparation, set aside some time to quiet your minds and hearts. Take a walk outside to enjoy the fresh air (enjoy a park or nature preserve, or take in the holiday decorations), or search for an Advent music playlist on Spotify or YouTube.
December 19
In today’s Gospel reading (Luke 1:5–25), we hear about Gabriel’s appearance before Zechariah. Gabriel announces that Elizabeth will give birth to a son named John (the Baptist), who will “prepare a people fit for the Lord.” How are we preparing our hearts to for Jesus?
December 20
In these last five days of Advent, incorporate prayers for the season from The Catholic Children’s Prayer Book (perhaps when lighting an Advent candle at mealtime or before going to bed).
December 21: Fourth Sunday of Advent
Light the fourth candle on the Advent wreath.
In today’s Gospel, we heard about Joseph’s dream in which an angel of the Lord appears and appoints him as Jesus’ earthly father. Pray a decade of the Rosary, focusing on the Annunciation (from the Joyful Mysteries), Mary’s own encounter with the angel.
December 22
We journey through Advent, as the Magi journeyed to greet the newborn Jesus. How has your Advent journey been going?
December 23
Prepare for Christmas by making a birthday card for Jesus. Adults and adolescents can write a letter to Jesus if they prefer.
December 24: Christmas Eve
Talk about the contrast of light and dark, and the difference the light of Christ makes in the world. End the day in prayer, around the lighted Christmas tree or candles.
December 25: Christmas Day
Jesus is born! Explore the joy and wonder of the birth of Jesus along with the shepherds. What gifts has God given you? Like the little drummer boy, what gift can you offer Jesus this week? Be sure to thank God today!
December 26: Feast of Saint Stephen, Martyr
Saint Stephen was a deacon who distributed food and aid to the poor. He was also the first saint to be killed for his faith, called a martyr. As you pray for those persecuted for their faith, identify ways you can put your faith into action for justice this week.
December 27: Feast of Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist
Saint John is known as the Apostle of Love. Spend some time today learning more about Saint John and praying for people you care about.
December 28: Feast of Holy Family
All families can be holy by loving and helping one another. Explore today’s Gospel, and then spend some quality time connecting with family or loved ones today. Learn more about this special day here.
December 29
Take a walk outside together! A walk in the fresh air, especially in a park or nature preserve, is a good way to find calm and connect with God in creation. Depending on the weather, sledding or building a snow sculpture can be put on the family agenda.
December 30
The calendar year is drawing to a close. Take some time to reflect on things you are thankful for from the past year, using this game.
December 31
Use the Saint Mary’s Press saints website to choose a new saint to pray with as a patron for 2025. This can be an opportunity for children and young people to discover a saint, for individuals to seek guidance for a new season of life, or for families to explore a special patron.
To make this a multigenerational church activity, consider having saint names printed on cards or slips of paper that parishioners can draw at random in a common space in your church, and include an announcement or bulletin insert encouraging them to learn more using saint.smp.org.
January 1: Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
Reflect on Mary’s story and her role as a mother to all believers. Remembering Mary as our Mother, pray the Hail Mary as a family.
January 2: Feasts of Saints Basil the Great & Gregory of Nazianzus
Saint Basil the Great was dedicated to helping the poor. Saint Gregory of Nazianzus, his friend, dedicated much of his own ministry to defending Jesus’ divinity. Honor both of them by donating goods or your time to a local food shelter, as a model of Christ’s love.
January 3
Have you written your Christmas thank-you notes? Make a party of it and write them together. Help one another say thank you to friends and relatives.
You might want to send a family thank-you note to someone who has been particularly good or helpful to your family in the past year.
January 4: Epiphany
Today as you remember the long journey of the Three Kings, consider an Epiphany blessing for your home or classroom.
