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