Is it possible to go overboard with the concept of the Advent calendar, allowing it to even distract from the reason for the season: the birth of Christ? Absolutely, but anything has the potential to distract instead of focusing our hearts on Christ and His coming to earth as the Savior of the world.
Print these and share them with family and friends to keep your mind's attention and heart's affection on Jesus this holiday season. Advent usually refers to the first coming of Christ to earth: His birth to the Virgin Mary. God became flesh.
This is known as the Incarnation. That is not the only Advent, however. The second coming of Christ, or second Advent, has not yet happened. We know from the Bible, the Word of God, that it will happen. Jesus is coming again! One of the most expensive Advent calendars to ever hit the shelves was a 4-foot, Christmas-tree shaped structure carved from burr elm and walnut wood available through Harrods in According to Guinness World Records, the world's largest advent calendar was built in at the St.
Pancras train station in London. The massive calendar, which measured feet and 11 inches tall, and 75 feet and 5 inches wide, celebrated the reopening of the station following a renovation. The self-proclaimed Advent calendar for web geeks has provided a daily dose of web design and development tips during the Advent season since For several years, LEGO has produced an Advent calendar set, featuring figures or constructible accessories behind every numbered door. With the resolution of the war, a few printing companies revived the tradition, and the calendars began to catch on once again.
Their popularity in America was boosted by images of President Dwight Eisenhower opening an Advent calendar with his grandchildren in the s. By that time, many calendars began including simple gifts, such as chocolate or a small toy, behind each door. Since then, the popularity of Advent calendars has continued to grow, even crossing over into non-religious contexts. Looking for Advent readings to celebrate this season with family and friends? While many outside the Christian tradition enjoy their yearly countdown calendar and its hidden treats , the meaning behind the Advent calendar remains steeped in religious themes.
More than just a countdown, marking the days of Advent serves as a time of spiritual reflection and preparation. Counting down the days of Advent can help us consider what it must have been like waiting for the promised Messiah, generation after generation. Likewise, our yearly season of Advent culminates in the celebration of Christmas; but first we walk through a season in which we prepare for the feast.
By looking back at His first Advent, we prepare ourselves to live in joyful expectation of His second Advent. There are many unique styles of Advent calendars. Some are overtly Christian while others play to the more secularized and generic aspects of the holiday season. Many Advent customs involve counting down the days until Christmas begins.
Some churches have an advent wreath with five candles, one for each of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas Day and one for Christmas Day itself. Sometimes Christians will have their own Advent candle which they'll burn at home.
Many people who aren't Christians also look ahead to Christmas by having an advent calendar. They often have a chocolate for each day in December until the 25th.
Advent calendars can now be bought which have pretty much anything from cheese to jewellery hidden behind the doors! How much do you know about Advent?
Test yourself with our quiz. Advent calendars: Is it time to close the door on throwaway advent calendars?
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