Advent calendars aren’t what they used to be. Advent calendars have been around for over 100 years. Originating in Germany in the 1800s, a traditional Advent calendar was basically a poster made of paper or cardboard. It would have a little door for each day of December. Every day leading up to Christmas,
a family member could open one door. Behind it, traditionally, was a Bible verse meant to keep the family focused on the true meaning of Christmas.
We always had Advent calendars in our home when I was a boy. I remember taking turns with my brothers and sisters, opening the doors and counting down the days until Christmas.
A quick online search will show you how dramatically Advent calendars have changed over the years. Today, many Advent calendars come in the form of big boxes. They have themed gifts or prizes behind each door.
Today you can buy an
Advent calendar with a different flavor of covered chocolates or gourmet nuts or specialty coffee behind each door.
I found Advent calendars with different bottles of hot sauce, with whiskey cocktail cubes, with freeze-dried ice cream, and, for the big spenders, with diamond jewelry behind each door.
They definitely aren’t your grandmother’s Advent calendar.
Traditionally, Christians spend the four weeks before December 25 preparing their hearts and minds for Jesus’ coming at Christmas.
Those four weeks are called “Advent.” The word “advent” comes from the Latin word
“adventus” which means “coming” or “arrival.”
Advent is a time for reflection – a time to remember why Jesus came to this world. That baby born in Bethlehem came to die on a cross at Calvary for you and me.
He came to win for us forgiveness and heaven.
Advent is a time for repentance – a time to recognize our desperate need for a Savior and to appreciate God’s great love that he became one of us to live and die for our sins. Advent helps us to not lose sight of what Christmas is all about.
Sadly, many Christians don’t celebrate Advent anymore. We are in too much of a hurry to celebrate Christmas. In our
Christmas rush, we often get distracted by the sparkling lights, festive music, and exciting gifts.
The true meaning of Christmas gets lost in the blur of gifts, food, and family get-togethers. The evolution of the Advent calendar is no exception.
Modern Advent calendars have nothing to do with Advent. They are just a part of the commercialization of Christmas.
Please don’t misunderstand me. You are not sinning if you give a loved one a themed Advent calendar that has bottles of wine or gourmet coffee or covered chocolates behind each door. But understand that’s not what Advent is all about. That’s not what
Christmas is all about.
Do something a little different this year. Get a traditional Advent calendar for your family.
Take a moment every day this month to reflect and repent. Help your children and grandchildren to remember what Christmas is all about.
That’s worth a lot more than a calendar full of diamond jewelry.
Pastor Andrew Schroer has been a pastor for over 25 years and is currently serving at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Edna, Texas. You can find his latest books, “364 Days of Thanksgiving” and “364 Days of Devotion,” on Amazon.
Andrew Schroer Pastor at Redeemer Lutheran Church
