These Glowing Advent Candles are perfect for young children to explore. Made from recycled cardboard tubes, this simple craft enables children to discover a little more about the season, as well as offering an opportunity to pause, reflect & pray as they prepare for Christmas.
To create our candles we started by decorating our tubes with a selection of paint & eco-glitter.
To make the cut-out shapes in the candles I gently folded the tube in half & cut out half the desired shape. So for example, to make the heart I cut out this shape.
To make our flames, we used some off cuts of yellow card which we cut into flame shapes, & then attached to the inside of the tube with glue.
Our four candles represented the four Sundays in Advent.
1st Candle - Hope (cross) Hope is like a positive light shining in the darkness. Many years before Jesus, prophets, like Isaiah, told of his coming. We remember those Prophets & the message they shared.
2nd Candle - Peace (crown) This is a reminder that Jesus is the Prince of Peace. Jesus' light helps us to shine. How we can share God's peace with people around us?
3rd Candle - Joy (star) This reminds of the star & the angels who brought tidings of great joy, & those who followed them to discover the joy in the stable. As we wait for Christmas Day we pray for those who'll be celebrating the joy of Christmas around the world.
4th Candle - Love (heart) This is a reminder of God's gift of love, Jesus.
On Christmas Day we'll light a real candle & place in at the centre of our dining table to celebrate Jesus' birthday.
To make our cardboard candles glow we popped a led tealight into the base of each one. On each Sunday in Advent we'll be lighting the candles along with the previous ones, & exploring their meaning. We'll also be lighting them at meal times & when people come to visit our home.
They look so bright & colourful during the day, & glow beautifully when lit up at night.
I love the tactile aspect of these candles & that children can safely hold them & pray with them as they countdown the Sundays in Advent.
If you're looking for more Advent ideas you might like: