Advent! is a Christmas adventure aiming to have some fun while teaching the meanings of Christmas.
Equipment
- A deck of cards with the Jokers removed
- Something to record the journey per player
- A six-sided die
- One marker per player used to indicate their current position
Setup
First, shuffle the deck and build a 4 x 6 grid by placing cards face down. Next, place a card face down on the bottom of the grid and centered. This is the starting point. Next, place one card face down centered and above the grid. This is the goal card. Next, flip the starting point over. Finally, all players place their tokens on the starting point.First Turn and Journaling
Players start their first turn creating a quick entry for the starting point card. Journals are individual and may optionally be read after the conclusion of the game.Movement
Movement is simple. At the start of each player's turn, they roll the die and move their token around the cards for exactly the results on the die. For example, if they roll 3, they must move exactly 3 spaces in the grid. The exception is the player may not move to the goal card until all players have moved once. Next, the player flips the card over, revealing the effect, and recording their quick thoughts in their journal. If the card is already flipped over, the player may optionally record their thoughts.Ending the Game
The first player to flip the goal card over, ends the game. At this point, all players read their journals aloud to others.The Meaning of the Cards
Each card face and suit has a meaning. When one is flipped over, express what this card means to you, record in the journal this meaning, and end your turn.♣ Suit
The Club cards are for the peace one experiences when the "Christmas spirit" fills them.| Pip | Meaning |
|---|---|
| A | Silent Nights |
| 2 | Peaceful Music |
| 3 | Evenings |
| 4 | Snow |
| 5 | Christmas Card Writing |
| 6 | Church Services |
| 7 | Christmas Story Reflections |
| 8 | Living Area Decorating |
| 9 | Living in the Seasonal Peace |
| 10 | Volunteering |
| J | Taking in Creation with Walks |
| Q | Reflect on Loved Ones Lost |
| K | Reflecting on Loved Ones |
♦ Suit
Diamonds represent the joy one finds during the Christmas season.| Pip | Meaning |
|---|---|
| A | Christmas Lights |
| 2 | Christmas songs |
| 3 | Festive Treats |
| 4 | The Christmas tree |
| 5 | Christmas Eve Festivities |
| 6 | Gift giving |
| 7 | Christmas movies |
| 8 | Christmas themed stories |
| 9 | Advent calendars |
| 10 | Concerts |
| J | Christmas Store Themes |
| Q | Loved ones |
| K | The Birth of Christ |
♥ Suit
Hearts represent the love you experience during Christmas-time. It could be agape. It could be more lusty. Either way, love is found here.| Pip | Meaning |
|---|---|
| A | Serving |
| 2 | Generosity |
| 3 | Forgiveness |
| 4 | Praying for the Hurting |
| 5 | Comfort the Hurting |
| 6 | Creating Memories with Loved Ones |
| 7 | Gratitude |
| 8 | Patience |
| 9 | Attentive |
| 10 | Lifting Up Others |
| J | Spreading Joy |
| Q | Celebrating with Loved Ones |
| K | For the Love of God |
♠ Suit
The Spades are for when one is filled with hope or is in desperate need of it.| Pip | Meaning |
|---|---|
| A | Symbolic Hope|
| 2 | Expressing Faith |
| 3 | Symbolic Decorations |
| 4 | Advent Calendars |
| 5 | Prayer |
| 6 | Bible Reading |
| 7 | Spread Kindness |
| 8 | Hope for the Future |
| 9 | Joining Community |
| 10 | Sharing Gratitude |
| J | Volunteering |
| Q | Setting Future Goals |
| K | Hope from Christian Redemption |