by Candace Williams

Created on: September 21, 2010   Last Updated: September 22, 2010

During the Christmas season, time is marked with calendars, paper chains, lighting candles adding another special action to the routine. It's an attempt to make the passage of Advent go past in a methodical  meaningful way. This time, advent, is a time of preparation for Christmas. Just as in every family, when a baby is going to be born soon, there is some preparation done. At Christmas, there is some preparation to be done as the day approaches  when the birth of Jesus Christ will be celebrated.

What is an Advent calendar

This is a calendar with built in actions or activities to go with it. This can be a little picture which appears when a child lifts a flap. It can also be a calendar with activities listed for each day. Often there is a scripture verse to read and think about. All of the pictures and things to do and read center on preparing you, the reader, for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ who Christians view as God the son.

The physical calendar can be made of cloth, wood, paper, cardboard or anything which anyone can imagine. They are often reusable so are made of sturdy materials but some are only used once and then replaced the next year. There are some online versions for the computer savy.

How is it used

Families or individuals gather to read it and ponder it daily. Children are often the ones who are encouraged to do the action of lifting the flap or putting some small object in a pocket with the day of advent on it. These calendars can be reused and sometimes are used over and over again when the season of advent is observed again.

When is it used

People vary in their timing of use. After the evening meal is a good time if the family can be gathered together then. Another good time is at the start of the day. Some families make a habit of beginning the day together because they find that differing schedules make it hard to do this at the end of the day. Some use bedtime as a time to observe the holiday and have the children  bathe or shower,go dress for bed,brush teeth and use the toilet and then gather round the Advent calendar to see what special thing today's date holds for them.

Where is it used

Generally in the home  is the answer to where,although some churches do a weekly version in Sunday school or in the general service for the benefit of those attending. It can be located wherever you feel is a good place. This can be the living room, dining room or kitchen or even a bedroom if that seems convenient to your routine. It the family has an advent wreath and lights a candle each day then the advent calendar is often  kept near it. Since it can be difficult to keep little ones from ripping up the calendar it is often put out of reach and then taken down each day so they can touch it under supervision. Some are made of materials which are sturdy such as felt and can be left down at the level of the children.

An advent calendar can add to the celebration of Christmas and can help the parents to include the children in the preparation for the holiday. They do not have to cost a great deal. Some are made by and for the family and that can make them even more special. It's a tool which can be useful but it's definitely not essential. It's not just for children but is quite often used with the children in mind because it can help them to see what the season of Advent is all about. People use advent calendars to help themselves as individuals to get in the Christmas spirit and it is a fairly good tool for it.

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