Friday, November 29, 2019

The Advent Calendar

One of the more family-friendly customs of Advent is the Advent Calendar.  This is a calendar that offers a kind of countdown from the beginning of the season until Christmas Eve (or Christmas Day, depending on the calendar).  These come in all varieties of form.  The most common is made of stiff cardboard with small numbered doors that move a person through the season.  Behind the door there can be a short scripture quotation, or a seasonal picture or some other “surprise.” 

There are calendar units that have more substance.  They can be made of hardwood or other material, and the doors (or drawers) might contain tree ornaments, candy or other treats.

The custom dates back to the mid 1800’s where their use in Germany is well-attested.
Calendars that are used again and again frequently start on December 1.  Since the recent observances of Advent can begin as early as November 27 those calendars that are produced for use in a particular year include the latter days of November.  At one point, our family had a calendar that went through Advent and extended through the Twelve Days of Christmas and had Epiphany – January 6 – as its last door.  If our Extended Advent observance gains any momentum, maybe we will someday see a calendar that begins at the beginning of our seven-week celebration – on or near St. Martin’s Day (November 11).

Our family also has a home-produced calendar made of fabric that hangs like a banner.  There are pockets on the lower portion that contain small pillows with seasonal decorations.  The calendar itself is sewn on the hanging with the numbers 1 through 25 arranged in the configuration of a Christmas tree.  The numbers have a small hook and loop dot on them.  The pillows have the other half of the hook & loop and so can be easily attached to the calendar.

It is frequently the custom in families to have the children open doors or do whatever activity the particular calendar involves.

Sadly, but predictably, the custom is being overrun by the commercial market.  Once you went to a religious book house or store or a card shop to procure this year’s treasure.  Now there are Lego and Hershey’s kisses and Nintendo and Playmobile and every Disney character known to humankind versions of the calendars, and these are truly “Countdown to Christmas” items.

But I have hopes that the tradition, like the season, can be maintained in the hearts of those who see this season as a time of spiritual nurture rather than rank consumerism.

The peace of the Lord be with you.

1 comment:

  1. I have always enjoyed the Advent calendars I've had through the years. Re-using old ones bring back fond memories :)

    ReplyDelete

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