by Dawn Lewis

Created on: December 11, 2008

Advent calendars have long stood as a traditional way to help children count down the days in December until Santa's arrival on Christmas Eve. But an Advent calendar is so much more and can have spiritual meaning, not just secular. The Advent calendar dates back to the 19th
century when German Lutherans first began to use them to help count down the days physically until Christmas. Today, the Advent calendar has taken on many forms, including ones made from fabric and others made from cardboard with chocolates inside each window. But, it is important for children to learn that Advent is a Christian season of the year and that the Advent calendar is an important way for children to count down to the coming of the Christ child.

I remember my mom making an Advent calendar for my sister and I. She used a red felt background and placed a green felt tree in the center of the calendar. Then, she made two rows of twelve pockets out of red felt. In each of these pockets was a symbol of the season of Advent that we would take turns taking from their correct pocket and then decorating the tree with the tiny ornament symbols. By the time we had them all out and on the tree we were prepared for the Christ child coming on Christmas Eve and for Santa and the joy both of these events would bring.

The ornaments reflected the spirituality of the Advent season. Ornaments in these calendars can include parts of the Nativity scene Magi, shepherds, sheep, Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, the star, etc. Other great items to use include the gifts of the Magi frankincense, myrrh and gold. It helps the children and adults alike to learn the symbols of Advent, and then to reflect on and remember the true meaning of Christmas.

Advent is a time of preparation. We spend time in prayer, and we spend time with others in our families and neighborhoods.
It's a time of joy, love, peace and hope for the betterment of our world. An Advent calendar is a great way to bring this time of year to life for all the members of your family. It can center around the Advent wreath that consists of four candles (3 purple and one pink) and the time can be used to talk about the symbol of the day, pray together as a family and light the Advent candle in remembrance of the season.

However you choose to celebrate the season of Advent and to prepare for the Christ child's birth, you can use symbols of the season to show the meaning. An Advent calendar is a fun way to do this and to countdown. Each year the small ornaments can change places or even be changed out all together. It's entirely up to you how you create the atmosphere and share the message of hope, love, joy and peace.

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