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Every year I look for an Advent plan for my kids that will keep the ‘Christ’ in CHRISTmas. Something that will be fun and meaningful for them without stressing me out. Somehow the ‘no stress’ part never really plays out.
But Melk, the Christmas Monkey, looks perfect.
Melk is a Christmas monkey -or sheep, or cow, or whatever you’d like, really – who writes kids letters overnight (because monkeys are nocturnal, of course). He points to projects and activities that are fun, but each letter has a devotional aspect. There’s a point to each activity, and Melk is careful to keep the spotlight on the true Reason for the Season amidst all the holiday cheer.
There are a few things that make Melk different from the other Advent programs I’ve seen. One is simply that you don’t need to do each activity. There are a total of 30 projects in this ebook, so you have more than enough to do one each day before Christmas – but they don’t build upon each other as with some programs, and so you can pick and choose the ones that best suit your family. You could do some one year, some the next, or go for broke and enjoy them all. The planning is done for you so you can enjoy the fun part.
Within those 30 project plans, there’s even more flexibility. Melk might ask you to make something, but there are multiple sets of directions listed, so you can choose the involvement level you like. You could even have older children do more complicated projects than your littles!
About those projects? Many of them are based on popular Christmas activities. Some might be things you’d try to do anyway – but Melk will add meaning to it. Some are spin-offs of these common activities, but all point to Jesus.
The proceeds from Melk help spread the gospel to kids in Mexico. Melk’s creator is a missionary currently living in Mexico, and she’s sharing some of the profits. Not only do you get a great program, but you get to help other kids at the same time.
I can’t wait for Melk to start sending my kids their Advent letters. Want visits from Melk, too? Click here to get your own copy of this fantastic new ebook.
Do you celebrate Advent in your home? How do you prepare for the birth of Jesus?
