Nativity Christmas Countdown Paper Chain Printable, Bible Story Advent Countdown for Kids, Color and Coloring, Sunday School Craft

Count down to Christmas one little link at a time! This printable Nativity paper chain tells the Christmas story in 24 short, child-friendly steps, from God's promises in the Old Testament, to Gabriel's visit to Mary, the long road to Bethlehem, and finally, on December 24: "Tonight, Jesus is born!"

Each morning, your child takes off one link, reads the little story together with you, looks up the Bible verse, and tries a simple kindness idea for the day. On Christmas morning, only the round Nativity hanger is left.

WHAT'S INCLUDED
- 24 countdown links (December 1 to 24), each with a big countdown number, a picture to color, a one-line Bible story, a Bible reference and a kindness "TRY" idea
- Round Nativity hanger: "Jesus is our greatest gift!" with a name line
- Easy how-to page with a 1-inch print check
- 2 editions: Ready-to-Color (black and white) and Full Color
- US Letter and A4 PDFs (4 PDFs total, 7 pages each)

THE 24-DAY STORY
Days 1-5: God's promises (Isaiah, Micah, Numbers)
Days 6-15: Gabriel and Mary, Elizabeth and baby John, Joseph's dream
Days 16-23: the census, the journey, no room at the inn, the stable, the shepherds, the star
Day 24: Jesus is born!
The story lines are short retellings in our own words, not Bible quotations, so you can read each passage in your own family Bible.

SIZES
Each link is 7.25 x 1.5 inches with a 0.5 inch glue tab. The hanger is 6.5 inches across.

BEST PAPER
Print the links on regular printer paper or light cardstock, and the hanger on cardstock (65-110 lb) so it holds the chain. Print at Actual Size / 100%.

TIP: PRINT ON COLORED PAPER
Short on coloring time? Print the Ready-to-Color edition on colored paper (red, green, pink, mint, yellow) for a bright, festive chain with no coloring needed. Mix colors for a rainbow chain, or alternate red and green.

HOW IT WORKS
1. Print and color (or print on colored paper).
2. Cut out the strips and the hanger. A grown-up cuts the small slit in the hanger.
3. Start with December 24 through the hanger slit, then link backward to December 1.
4. Remove one link each day in December.

PLEASE NOTE
- This is a digital file only. Nothing will be shipped. Paper, glue, crayons and ribbon are not included.
- This is a December 1-24 Christmas countdown; it does not follow the changing start date of liturgical Advent.
- For personal use or one classroom / Sunday school class. Please do not resell or share the files.
- Colors may look slightly different depending on your printer and screen.

Illustrations created with AI assistance and checked by us. Listing photo backgrounds include AI-generated scenes.

Thank you for visiting PartyPrintsbyCortney!

1. Check out. Your download button appears on the order page right away, and we email you the link too.
2. Open the PDF on a computer, tablet or phone.
3. Print at Actual Size (100%) and start creating.

No. You're buying digital files (and template links for editable designs). Nothing is mailed.

Right after checkout you'll see a download button on the order page, and we email you the same link.

Editable templates open in Canva. Each listing says whether a free Canva account is enough. Ready-to-print files don't need Canva at all.

The listing above shows exactly which text is editable. Artwork and headline lettering are part of the design.

Yes, Canva works in its free phone app. For detailed edits a computer is easier.

Sizes are listed above. Print at Actual Size (100%) at home or at any print shop.

For crafts: printer paper, crayons or markers, scissors and clear tape. Squishies also need cotton balls or tissues for stuffing.

Yes, print as many copies as you need for your own family, party or classroom. Please don't share, sell or re-post the files.

Message us through the contact page and we'll sort it out fast. See our refund policy for details.