Advent Calendar
Christmas is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in the whole world. Originally a Christian celebration, signifying the birth of Christ, it is now celebrated by Christians and non Christians alike. It is that time of the year when snow blankets the earth and the smell of baking Christmas cake and cookies is permanently in the air. It is one festival which is celebrated all over America with equal enthusiasm.
The season of advent is a time period which is spent in preparation for the birth of Christ. It begins on the first day of the month of December and continues until the Christmas Eve – 24th of December. In accordance with this time advent calendars have been created. The origin of the advent calendar was in Germany, at the start of the 19th century. This calendar was very different from the one that we see today. It was marked by either drawing a chalk line on the floor on each day of the season of advent or by hanging a religious picture on the wall on each day of advent. Later with time, the concept of an actual calendar came in to play. Advent calendars were created by marking the twenty four days of advent and writing a bible quotation on each day of advent by hand. This was in the hopes of preparing the user for the Nativity of Christ spiritually.
However at present, advent calendars are much more commercialized and their purpose is commercial rather than spiritual. They are mostly aimed at children rather than adults. Today’s advent calendars come literally in all shapes and sizes. A decade or two ago they consisted only of cardboard, glitter and bible verses or Nativity pictures behind doors cut on the cardboard. One door has to be opened on each day of advent and the child is expected to collect the pictures or read the bible quotations. Some advent calendars went as far as to instruct the child to do one good deed for each day.
In the recent years advent calendars have evolved more and more. At present it is almost rare to find an advent calendar with bible verses. Instead of bible verses behind closed cardboard doors, today we get small presents like ornaments, toys and candy on each day of advent. Advent calendars of today are more in the hopes of selling goods rather than for spiritual development.
Advent calendars can be bought at any store on or before the Christmas season. They can cost from low as $20 to any amount depending on the material used. But it is strictly not necessary to buy your advent calendars. You can make your own calendar for the season of advent right at your home. If your family consists of many children, it is possible to get them to make advent calendars for each other. This will not only create unity among the family but will also enhance creativity.
