Free Advent Coloring Countdown {Gentle, Christ-Centered}
Advent always sneaks up on me. One minute we’re finishing up nature walks in fallen leaves, and the next we’re playing Christmas carols and pulling out the nativity. And while part of me wants to do all the beautiful things—baking, books, music, traditions—the truth is, what I really want is just a steady rhythm that helps my children (and me) stay focused on what matters most.
That’s why I put together this Journey to Bethlehem countdown. It’s simple to use—just one short Scripture reading each day, plus a beautiful coloring sheet that lets your children color one step closer to Bethlehem as the days lead up to Christmas. No prep, no stress. Just one gentle moment each day to help Advent feel calm and meaningful.
Free Advent Countdown Printable
The Journey to Bethlehem Advent Countdown includes:
- A single-page coloring sheet showing Mary and Joseph walking to Bethlehem, with 24 spaces to color—one for each day of Advent
- A list of daily Scripture passages to read as you count down
- An easy way to bring quiet, Christ-centered focus to your homeschool mornings, lessons, or evenings
- A simple daily rhythm your children can look forward to
It’s a quiet way for your kids to stay connected to the story of Jesus’ birth—and a simple way for you to stay focused right alongside them.
You can download your free Journey to Bethlehem countdown here.A Gentle, Complete Christmas Curriculum for December
When I first created the Journey to Bethlehem countdown, it was exactly what our family needed—something small and steady to keep us focused each day as we moved toward Christmas. But I also found myself wanting a bit more structure—something that could gently take the place of our usual homeschool work without overwhelming us.
That’s how my brand new curriculum, the Gentle Study of Christmas Carols, came to life. I built it to go hand-in-hand with the countdown, giving us just enough of a plan to feel grounded while still keeping our days peaceful and Christ-centered.
We spent one week on each hymn:
- O Come, All Ye Faithful
- Silent Night
- Joy to the World
- Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Each week includes:
- A short, living-story style history of the hymn
- A coordinating Scripture passage
- Full lyrics for reading, singing, or reciting
- A beautiful picture study painting
- Copywork in three levels (early, mid, and upper elementary)
- Gentle narration and journaling prompts
- And if you’d like to go a little deeper, there are optional extensions at the end of each week—ideas for foreign language study, geography, poetry, and more.
Using the countdown and carol study together brought such a sense of peace and calm to my December homeschool—and I’ve heard from other homeschooling moms who felt the same. If you’re wondering whether something this simple can really make a difference, here’s what a few shared with me after using both resources together:
“Our mornings finally feel calm again.”
“I loved having something ready each day that still felt meaningful but didn’t overwhelm us.”
“It’s the first December that hasn’t felt like our homeschool got lost in the shuffle.”
The countdown brings your family together for one simple moment each day. The carol study gently fills in the rest—without needing anything extra from you.
A Gentle Way to Begin Your Charlotte Mason Christmas Homeschool
You don’t have to commit to a full curriculum right away.
Start with the free Journey to Bethlehem countdown and see how it goes. It might be just enough. Or you might find your kids asking for more—more Christmas carols, more stories, more time together.
And if you do, the Gentle Study of Christmas Carols is there, ready to go. No prep. Nothing extra to figure out. Just a way to carry that peaceful rhythm through the rest of your homeschool day.
You can find the Gentle Study of Christmas Carols here, whenever you’re ready.
