Why I Love This Gift:

I love Advent. The season of waiting on God’s promise. So much of the month before Christmas ends up being about candy and threats about being good for Santa, unfortunately. (Hands up if your house is also one long sugar rush from Halloween to New Year’s.) There has to be a better way to help our kids get ready for Christmas. 

Since our daughter was three, I’ve tried to do something for our family to celebrate Advent. We’ve incorporated setting up our Nativity scene, devotionals, and reading the Christmas story week by week.

When I brought home The Shepherd on the Search kit* my wee girl was totally enamored. I didn’t know what she’d think, honestly, but she loved the idea! She’s anxiously awaiting finding the Shepherd on the first day of Advent and keeps asking when we get to hide the Shepherd. I’m looking forward to using the 25 Day Family Devotional book to make this even more meaningful, and build a good lesson into the daily experience. Huge win!

*Included in the kit are:

01 – The Shepherd on the Search storybook

02 – The Shepherd on the Search plush toy

03 – The Shepherd on the Search nativity-themed case

04 – The Shepherd on the Search magnetic advent calendar

Last year, the Christmas story became real to our girl after seeing The Star. This year, we’ll be able to build on that by hiding this adorable Shepherd every day, doing a daily reading, and remembering how God announced the birth of His Son to ordinary people, just like us – and how they rushed to find this newborn King.

The book that comes with the Activity Set is very engaging. The box itself is a mini-nativity and beautiful! The devotional will make this more than an entertaining activity for our kiddo – it’s an Advent journey for our whole family (including Grandma – she arrives soon!). A more meaningful Christmas is my goal for us, friend!

I’d buy this for my own family, easily (especially now that our girl has “test driven” it), or give this to any family member with kids (ages ten and under), and it’s an excellent gift for a Christian or Catholic school classroom teacher.

Where You Can Buy It:

Visit your local Christian retailer to pick up The Shepherd on the Search Advent Activity Set and the 25 Day Family Devotional. You can find a retailer near you, here. There are also various online sources (especially where you don’t have a Christian retailer available in your area), and you can find more information from DaySpring here.

~ Ellen

P.S. Did you get the first gift earlier this week? It’s a quick recipe guide to my personal, super-easy, sweet & salty Christmas Recipe Favourites! All of these are on heavy rotation at our house over the holidays, and they’re super easy. Download it for FREE now by subscribing here: