I love the season of Advent, a time when we prepare our hearts to receive the gift of Christ’s first coming as a baby and expectant of His return.

*Disclosure: this post includes affiliate links. Basically this means at no additional cost to you, if you click on a link and make a purchase, I will earn a small commission. 

A few years ago, I wasn’t able to find a Chinese Advent calendar suitable for my daughter who was two at the time so I decided to create one myself. I came up with this Chinese Advent reading plan 耶穌降臨經文卡 (耶稣降临经文卡/ㄧㄝ ㄙㄨ ㄐㄧㄤˋ ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄨㄣˊ ㄎㄚˇ/yēsū jiànglín jīng wén kǎ) that’s suitable for families.

Structure of the Chinese Advent Reading Plan 

Each day has one to two verses per day in Chinese and in English. On the backside, there is a Chinese character to emphasize the main point of the verse. The cards start on December first and the last reading ends on Christmas day!

Since these cards are meant to be double sided, there are numbers on both sides of the cards to help you match them up if you decide to print them out on separate pieces of paper. The numbers on the side with the large Chinese character is in the symbol below the character.

The reading takes you through the life of Christ (indicated by symbol found on the Chinese character side):

1. 🌿The Promise of Christ’s first coming (day 1-7)
2. ⭐The birth of Christ (8-13)
3. 🎁The gift of Christ (significance of His first coming, days 14-19)
4. 👑The Hope of His second coming (20-25) 

I created five versions. Every version includes English verses:

• Traditional Chinese
• Traditional Chinese with Pinyin
• Traditional Chinese with Zhuyin
• Simplified Chinese
• Simplified Chinese with Pinyin.

This reading plan is easy to do and doesn’t require much prep other than downloading my printable and hanging them up if you want to. You can simply have them in a stack on your table too if you prefer something more low key.

Setting Up Your Chinese Advent Calendar Scripture Cards

I printed these out on pearl card stock paper that I found at Hobby Lobby. The printable was designed to be double sided. So after printing out the first page, if you just flip the paper and feed it in the same direction as the opposite page, the correct word will print directly onto the back side.

But if you prefer for them to be separate, there are numbers on both cards to help you match them up. This seems to be preferred way by most moms who have used them in the past.

Next, I cut them up and put them in little envelopes I found at Walmart (here are some similar ones on Amazon). Then clipped them onto twine secured by tape with miniature clothespins on a Christmas tree outline I taped onto our door with green painter’s tape (which takes up less room in the house). 

The Beauty of Advent

Your Advent set up doesn’t have to be super crafty in order for you and your kids to enjoy it. The most important aspect of Advent is the simple yet profound act of taking time to rest and think upon the wonderful gift of Jesus coming as a little baby. Taking time to rest in the truth of how this little baby left the comforts of His home to restore our relationship with His Father. 

My daughter who was three last year when we went through this advent reading was greatly impacted by it. It is so precious to see her excited to read each day’s verse. She wanted to do it in the morning even though I keep reminding her we read them at night after dinner so my husband can join us.

I also set up a simple advent wreath and candles to make it extra special. Here’s a similar one that’s available on Amazon. When we read each night, we light the candle(s) for the week. Talk about the verse a little bit then pray and ask Jesus to help us know Him more. Then I let her blow out the candle.

Simple things like this make family worship time special and memorable for little ones. Sadie kept talking about baby Jesus and other things we discussed during advent months after. I encourage you to do the same! It’s definitely worth the time to delve into the beautiful redemptive truth of Christmas with our children.

I also set out a little wood Nativity scene to invite her to look at and play with. It’s also a great way to invite discussions about Jesus. Here’s a similar set and one that’s more child friendly.

Below are some samples of how other parents are displaying these printables in their home! I was so touched when Betty shared with me that this is their first time reading Scripture in Chinese with her kids!

 

 

 

Be sure to follow me on my Chinese teaching Instagram account @spotofsunshineChinese and join us in celebrating Advent!

It’s so easy for Christmas to be overrun with the stress of presents, getting Christmas cards out in time and traveling for the holidays. But I hope this printable helps you take a few minutes each day to prepare your family’s heart to receive the true gift of Christmas. Merry Christmas! 聖誕快樂！

Purchase Chinese Advent Calendar Scripture Cards

Click here or on the button below to purchase a digital download of my Advent calendar Scripture cards in my shop.

Please tag me @spotofsunshineChinese to share how you set up your advent cards. Don’t forget to follow me on my social media platforms to join us for the season of advent!

More Chinese Christmas Goodies

For some more fun Chinese Christmas activities, check out the following:

• Chinese YouTube Videos on the Story of Christmas/聖誕節的來臨YouTube影片
• Chinese Christmas Carols & Lyrics / 中文聖誕歌和歌詞
• Printable: Chinese Christmas Vocab Ornaments/聖誕單字吊飾
• Chinese Character Game for Kids with Snow!
• Writing & Reading Practice with Snow!