This Advent season has been an invitation to behold, to be present, and to treasure up the things God has taught you, meditating on His promises and character. We hope this walk through the very first Christmas has allowed you to spend time doing just that.
To keep beholding and treasuring throughout the year, you’re invited to create a journal scrapbook. You can use a notebook you already have or create one with the instructions on the next page. In it, consider placing photos (even photos from Christmas cards you‘ve received) of those you want to remember to pray for. We’ve also provided some additional journaling prompts to get you started.
Supplies
- Brown bag or cardstock
- Scissors
- White office paper (or graph paper or ruled paper)
- Thread (embroidery or book binding)
- Needle□Pencil
- Awl (or safety pin)
- Paint, markers, or colored pencils to decorate
- Ruler
Instructions
- Take 5 pieces of your whitepaper. Cut them in half or rip them using a ruler.
- Cut your brown bag or cardstock to be the same size as the white paper.
- Fold the white paper in half. Fold the brown paper or cardstock around the white paper, making the cover of your book.
- Open all the sheets up to the middle, keeping them stacked with the brown paper on the bottom. Measure 5 holes evenly across the middle crease of the paper and mark them with a pencil.
- Poke holes where you marked them with the awl or safety pin.
- Thread a needle with thread for the binding. Start at the middle hole on the inside and push the needle and thread through to the outside, leaving behind 3 inches of extra thread inside the pages.
- Proceed to weave in and out of the holes, following the sequence in the graph.
- When you get to the end, trim your thread, leaving a few inches to tie the first thread to the end thread. Then cut the excess thread off. Your book is done!
- Optional: Decorate the cover with paint, colored pencils, markers, or your handcrafted stamps.
Journaling Prompts
- Today, I want to treasure thismoment that pointed meto God . . .
- I beheld the Savior today when . . .
- God, I adore You because You are . . .
- Today, I’m grateful for . . .
- I want to remember . . .
- Lord, help me to . . .
- Pray that someone you know will come to a saving faith in Christ.
- Write a verse that has encouraged you today.
- Give thanks for a friend or family member. Then send them a text to let them know you are thankful for them.
- Pray for the needs in your community.
Check out the gallery below for visual instructions on how to create the journals!
For more Advent crafts, check out the Advent Bible study for women, Behold the Savior and check out this Advent stamp-making tutorial.
