Welcome to the Course

Welcome to “Christmas in Sacred Art & Storytelling” - a four-week guided journey through the season of Advent for the whole family.  Starting on the first Sunday of Advent and bringing you all the way through to Christmas Eve, these lessons will bring your focus back to the central mystery of the Christmas Story – the birth of Christ.

Your days will be filled with beauty as you listen to sacred music, admire the luminous masterworks of Giotto and Fra Angelico, listen to descriptive stories of the Nativity and enjoy guided discussion prompts and prayers. Once a week you’ll create your own beautiful, illuminated page.

Learning through Storytelling

You will be taken on a journey through the Nativity stories, from the visit of the Angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary, all the way through to the when the flight into Egypt, through eight beautifully written retellings of the original Bible stories. These were written to capture your child’s imagination using descriptive language and engaging storytelling, while also remaining true to the original Scripture, with original passages from Scripture quoted throughout.

Learning through Sacred Art

This course offers a feast of beautiful artworks for you and your children to enjoy together and bring your hearts closer to the Nativity story.

You will study the illuminated manuscripts of Willem Vrelant and the frescoes of Giotto and Fra Angelico through guided picture study lessons. You will enjoy these sacred artworks alongside your children, read stories about the lives of the artists, and discover the techniques used to create frescoes and illuminated manuscripts, all through an engaging storytelling style, rich with historical detail.

Joyful Christmas Music

Every day in Advent includes music selections so you can enjoy the beauty and wonder of traditional Christmas music and joyful carols throughout the month of December. Play these in the car and in your home to fill your heart with the joy and wonder of the Advent story.

Narration Prompts

Each of the Advent stories includes narration prompts and discussion points, as well as “Illuminator’s Notes” – historical details and Scripture notes behind the Advent stories.

Family Prayers

Each story is accompanied by thoughtful prayers and family reflections so you can center your hearts around the central message of the Christmas stories.

Make your own Illuminated Manuscript

This course includes four guided art activities so children can create their own illuminated manuscript. Just print out the outline provided in the course and follow along with the guided video. All you need is a set of watercolor paints, cardstock or watercolor paper, and some gold ink.  Use what you already have at home, or click here to see our list of recommended art supplies.