The Advent calendar is another example of a German tradition marking the Christmas season as a time of wonder for children. The first Advent calendar is said to have been created about 150 years ago. Similar to the use of the Advent wreath as a tool to mark the days and weeks leading up to Christmas, the Advent calendar is usually geared toward building anticipation with a little gift given for each of the days in December until Christmas Day.
We are used to seeing cheap cardstock boxes containing a single chocolate candy behind a perforated door for each of those first 24 days of December, but calendars may be as elaborate as shadow boxes containing a wrapped gift in each cubby, chests of 24 miniature drawers filled with goodies, or even entire buildings with windows that open to reveal 24 different scenes in the lead up to Christmas.
New Advent Calendar Ideas
Gifts and sweets are fine for small children, but older kids and adults can use the Advent calendar to add even more spiritual beauty to this season of waiting. Below are some ideas you can use for your family or even for priests, seminarians and religious cared for by your Serra club.
1) Inside each Advent calendar pocket or container, place a different image of the Christ child. These can be downloaded and printed from the Internet, clipped from religious catalogues or magazines, or even recycled from the previous year's Christmas cards.
2) Similar to the idea above, use each cubby to hold an image of different characters present at the Nativity, ending with the creche to hold the baby Jesus (presented specially on Dec. 25). These would include angels, shepherds, farm animals, Mary and Joseph, and the three Kings.
3) For a priest, seminarian, or religious woman or man with whom your club has a friendship, consider sealing special prayers, wishes, expressions of gratitude, or fun memories written by members of your club into 24 small envelopes. The more personal, the better.
4) Also for a priest or religious dear to your club: Consider composing 24 ways this person brings Christ into your life and place in envelopes as mentioned above.
5) Take a colorful tour through 4,000 years of Bible history and Jesus' lineage! Incorporate the symbols of the Jesse Tree as images or ornaments in each of the 24 compartments of the Advent calendar. Be sure to tell the story behind each symbol or reflect upon its meaning |
