Christmas is a special time to change your homeschool curriculum up a bit and get a fresh taste of the gospel. My kids are now grown, but below are some resources that we loved through the years. I hope they give you some ideas that you can share with your family.
Duncan’s Journey
I wrote this devotional to teach my kids Psalm 23. It leads to the Christmas story, so it makes a good Christmas Advent book, although it can be enjoyed at any time. The chapters are short with discussion questions and a prayer. It can be paired with downloadable coloring pages, the memorization of Psalm 23, copywork of the verses, or a downloadable Duncan’s Journey Lapbook that I created.
I re-designed the illustrations when the original publisher went out of business, but the pictures included below still line up with the content.
Jotham’s Journey by Arnold Ytreeide
Our family adored this series! You read a different book each advent season. The Biblical Fiction format is captivating for all ages. Also, if you tire of reading aloud, as some of the chapters are longer, there are audio book versions you can try on Spotify.
Luke 2 Bible Reading
Our family loved spending time in Luke Chapter 2! We read a verse a day, and then we used it for copywork and memorization. I’ll attach a few files below for you to explore to generate your own ideas.
Jesse Tree
In 2009, we had a Jesse Tree Ornament Exchange where each family created enough of an ornament for everyone else in the group. You made multiple copies of each ornament and then swapped to form a complete set. You could organize something like this, or you could make them yourself. For years, these ornaments decorated a special little tree as a part of our Christmas Decorations.
I found a website that seems to provide devotionals and coloring pages for the ornaments, but I can’t vouch for the devotions themselves, since I haven’t read them. Faithward Jesse Tree Devotionals
If you’d like to read the passages on your own, here’s the chart I used:
| Day | Symbol | Scripture to Read |
| Introduction of the Jesse Tree 1 Samuel 16:1-13 Isaiah 11:1-10 | ||
| 1 | Planet Earth / Globe | In the Beginning Genesis 1:1-3, 27, 31 John 1:1-5, 14 |
| 2 | Apple and Snake | The Fall Genesis 3:3-6, 9-11 1 Corinthians 15:21-22| Romans 5:12, 14-15 |
| 3 | Ark and Rainbow | Noah and the Ark Genesis 6:5-8; 7:15-18; 9:8, 15-16 Matthew 24:36-39, 42 1 Peter 3:20b-21a |
| 4 | Camel and Tent | The Blessing to Abraham Genesis 12:1-3; 17:5 Hebrews 11:8, 12 Matthew 1:1 |
| 5 | Lamb | Sacrifice of the Son Genesis 22:1-2, 9-13 Colossians 1:15 John 3:16-17 |
| 6 | Ladder | Assurance of the Promise Genesis 27:41-28:22 John 1:43-51 |
| 7 | Colorful Coat | Joseph in Egypt Genesis 37:3-5, 8a, 18-19, 23, 28 Genesis 41:41; 42:6; 45:4-5 Matthew 2:13-15 |
| 8 | Tablet with 10 Numbers | The Ten Commandments Exodus 20:1-4a, 7a, 8, 12-17 Matthew 5:3-10 |
| 9 | Cluster of Grapes | The Promised Land: Canaan Genesis 17:7-8 Numbers 13:1-2a, 17-18a, 20, 23,27 Revelation 21:1-3 |
| 10 | Sheaf of Wheat | Ruth and Boaz Ruth 1:16; 2:2, 8, 10-12; 4:13-14 Matthew 1:5b-6a |
| 11 | Slingshot | David and Goliath 1 Samuel 16:1, 13a; 17:3-4, 8-9, 45, 47-49 Revelation 22:16 |
| 12 | Scroll/Bible | God’s Forgotten Scroll is Found 2 Kings 22:2, 23:1-3 Psalm 119:33-35 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Revelation 5:9 |
| 13 | Stump with Green Leaf | Prophecy: A Shoot From the Stump of Jesse Isaiah 11:1-5, 10 Acts 13:16, 22-23 |
| 14 | Lion and Lamb | Prophecy: The New Creation Isaiah 11:6-10 Revelation 21:4-5a |
| 15 | Dove and Crown | Prophecy: Prince of Peace Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 John 14:27 John 18:33, 36a, 37b |
| 16 | Lamb and Shepherd’s Staff | Prophecy: Good Shepherd Ezekiel 34:2b, 4-5, 10-12, 15a, 16a, 23-24 Psalm 23:1 Luke 7:21b John 10:11, 16, 27 |
| 17 | Cross | Prophecy: Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:4-7, 9, 12b John 19:1, 15-18 |
| 18 | Heart with Writing | The New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31-33 Hebrews 9:13-15 |
| 19 | Bethlehem Town Silhouette with Star | Bethlehem Prophecy Micah 5:2 Luke 2:4-7 |
| 20 | Fiery Furnace | Exile and Persecution: The Fiery Furnace 2 Kings 17:23 Daniel 3:19, 21, 28 Matthew 5:11-12 |
| 21 | Brick Wall | Return to Jerusalem Nehemiah 1:3; 2:18; 6:15-16 Revelation 21:10-14 |
| 22 | Star | Christmas Star Numbers 24:17-19a Matthew 2:1-6, 9-11 |
| 23 | Candle | Light of the World Psalm 27:1-3 John 1:9, 8:12 |
| 24 | Angel | Angels Proclaim the Miraculous Birth Genesis 18:1-4, 8b-10a Luke 2:8-14 |
| 25 | Baby in Manger or Nativity Scene | The Birth of Jesus Isaiah 7:10-14 Luke 2:1, 4-12 |
The Greatest Gift by Anne Voskamp
For the moms – I read this book every year. I don’t always finish it, but the devotionals are a way for me to slow down and meditate on the birth of our Savior.
I’d love to hear about your family’s Christmas traditions! How do you incorporate it into your Home School Journey?
I love all of these!! Such good memories.