We invite you to follow this Advent calendar throughout the season. The text is adapted from A is for Advent, by Charles W. Ferguson (Little, Brown & Co., 1968).
December 1
What do Advent and angels have in common? They both come from the Latin Ad and venire, which means "to come." Advent tells us that an important event is coming and adventure tells us of something that is happening. Advent is the name given to the first season of the church year and begins on the Sunday nearest to November 30. Christmas doesn't begin with Christmas Day! There has to be a time of preparing for such a special event. The early Christians knew that people could not comprehend the coming of Christ without a time to prepare their hearts and minds, so they began the Advent period. Many customs have developed to help prepare our minds progressively, to deepen our reflections, and bring us nearer to Christmas as well as to bring Christmas nearer to us.
Prayer: Dear Father, help us to truly prepare our hearts and minds as we wait for the promised coming of Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord. Amen.
December 2
The Advent wreath, which we see in our churches and homes, is a contribution from Christians in Germany. In the 16th century, branches of fir or spruce were formed into a circular shape and laid on tables in homes. A candle was added in each of the four weeks of Advent, reminding the family of the coming light of Christ. The circular shape of the wreath symbolizes both the love of God, which is without beginning or ending, and the eternal joys of heaven. The laurel crown showed victory in athletic and military competitions in pre-Christian times, and the early Christians began the practice of using wreaths on their doors in Advent and Lent to symbolize Christ's victory over death. Our Advent wreaths and door wreaths at Christmas should remind us that the crown of life was won for us by Christ in His victory over sin and death.
Prayer: Dear Lord, keep us always in the circle of Your love that we may someday share Your crown of victory. Amen.
December 3
To celebrate means to join others in a joyful festivity. Here are twelve ways to celebrate the coming of Christ!
Make new ornaments for your tree or to give away.
Sing joyful, lifting carols. Learn new ones!
Read the great and famous Christmas texts. Also read poems and Christmas stories. Use suggested prayers or create your own.
Pray for those who send you cards and presents.
Tell memories and meanings of Christmases past, sad ones and glad ones. Christmas is both!
Do something to cheer someone who is sad or lonely during this time.
Send letters or messages of gratitude and greeting to gift givers and friends.
Go to someone who is near but whom you have neglected. An hour may be a good gift!
Play with your own and other children. Share their excitement about gifts and games.
Laugh at the contradictions of Christmas. Don't get mad or sad--laugh!
Help someone you don't know who is in trouble.
Rest because there is peace on earth, peace in your soul, peace with God, and peace in your family.
Prayer: Almighty God, Your generous goodness comes to us new every day. By the work of Your Spirit, lead us to acknowledge Your goodness, give thanks for Your benefits, and serve our neighbor in obedience to Your holy will. Amen.
December 4
Legend has it that the shepherds in the fields on that Christmas night were so weary that they did not hear the angel who appeared with the joyous tidings. They were sound asleep! A small olive-grey bird nearby did hear the angel chorus. Knowing the importance of the angelic words, the bird flew down to the embers of the shepherd's campfire and fanned the coals to flame with its wings. The flames awakened the shepherds and they went as they were bidden to Bethlehem. This little bird to this day wears a red breast, a mark of honor for its part in the wonders of that night.
A little sparrow kept asking, "when, when?" The robin answered, "this night, this very night!" The swallow twittered, "where, where is He?" And the doves cooed, "in Bethlehem, in Bethlehem." Back in the trees, the great owl hooted, "who is He? Who is He?" and an exaltation of larks flew overhead singing, "He is Christ our Lord and King!" Then, just before the dawn, the cock began to crow, "He is born! He is born!"
Remember the birds this season. With the winter cold and snow their food supplies are often no longer available to them.
Prayer: Help us to remember that You love not only people, but all other creatures as well. Amen.
December 5
Have you ever heard of an Advent rose? You can wrap the stem of a glass with green crepe or tissue paper. Cut rose petals out of red crepe or tissue paper and attach them to the bowl of the glass. Place a candle (battery or real) in the glass, and when it grows dark outside light the candle. The rose will shine beautifully!
The prophet Isaiah says much the same thing about the coming king: “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse.” Our Savior has human ancestors. His family goes back to Jesse, the father of King David. In the hymn “Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming” we sing “of Jesse’s lineage coming.” The coming king has human ancestors, but still He will be different from any other human being. Just as our rose glows from the inside, so the coming king spreads a mysterious light. This light is God’s Spirit, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. Advent in the light—Advent into joy. What the prophet foretold has become reality in the manger of Bethlehem.
Prayer: This Flower, whose fragrance tender with sweetness fills the air, dispels with glorious splendor the darkness everywhere. True Man, yet very God, from sin and death he saves us and lightens every load. Amen.
December 6
St. Nicholas was born in Asia Minor many years ago. His parents were wealthy, and devout Christians. As a little boy, Nicholas was very devoted to the Scriptures and did many works for God. When his parents died, Nicholas secretly gave away all of their money to help others. Nicholas was chosen to be the Archbishop of Myra and saved the people from starting by taking grain from the Emperor. Nicholas died around 343 on December 6. Because of his love and care for children, he is known as their saint. In Holland, St. Nicholas visits the children on December 6 and leaves sweets and presents if they have been good. When the Dutch moved to America, they brought St. Nicholas with them, but his name was soon changed to Santa Claus and he left presents for the children on Christmas Day.
Prayer: Dear Lord, help us, like Nicholas, to work willingly for you. Amen.
December 7
“Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.” Psalm 52:7
Snow crystals are symbols of Christian life. White snow is a symbol of purity or cleanliness. We are to be Christ-like! Remember that white is the liturgical color for Christmas. Water, from which snow crystals are “grown,” is a symbol of baptism. This suggests newness and freshness, a born-again-ness! Each crystal is also different from every other snow crystal. That reminds us of our own uniqueness and individuality—our face and our fingerprints, for example. As snow crystals vary from simple to complex, so do people. The Lord “grows” His creation with breathtaking variations. And, just as the snow reflects light, so are we to reflect the light of Christ.
Prayer: Shine the brightness of Your light on us so that we may walk in the light of Your truth and attain eternal life. Amen.
December 8
On December nights one can see through the windows of Jewish homes small flickering candles set in an eight-branched candelabra proclaiming a miracle of redemption sent long ago. The week of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, is a happy one celebrating the religious freedom won long ago by the Maccabees. Many years ago the king of Syria prohibited the Jewish religion in Judea. The temples were filled with idols and the Scriptures were burned. A man called Mattathias took his sons and fled to the mountains so they could continue to worship God. Mattathias’ son Judah, the Maccabee, led his brothers in an attack on the enemy to save the temple. They found the doors burned, and only enough oil in the lamps for one day. The miracle was that the lamps burned for eight days. God gave the Jewish people light to banish darkness and fear and left no place for ambushes and plans to destroy and kill. The Hanukkah Festival lasts eight days. The Menorah, or eight-branched candelabra, is traditionally set in the window. Each night the members of the family recite their blessings and chant a prayer as one of the candles is being lit. A single candle is lit the first night, two the second night, and so on until they are all burning. The eight candles represent faith, freedom, courage, love, charity, integrity, knowledge, and peace.
Prayer: Dear God, give us the courage to stand up for Your word and spread the Light of Christ to banish all darkness and fear. Amen.
December 9
Since earliest times bells have been used to announce great events to the people. Notice during this season how many bells you see and hear. They are there to help us celebrate the greatest event of all time, the birth of our Savior. The custom of ringing bells to announce the birthday of our Lord is especially celebrated in Switzerland.
On Christmas Eve, the first bell to toll the message begins at a large church in Zurich and then churches throughout the land start to ring their bells so that at midnight the country of mountains echoes with the joys of Christmas. Even the people join in by ringing sleigh bells, cowbells, and goat bells. Just imagine the wonderful sounds and echoes of the many bells ringing out the message of Jesus’ birth!
Prayer: Dear Lord, may our hearts ring with the joyous message of Your great gift, that all with whom we come in contact may hear the message of Your love. Amen.
December 10
We’re the animals in the manger,
keeping watch by a new-born stranger.
We guard the Mother and Holy Child
who lie in a bed of straw, helpless and mild.
We frolic and play
the livelong day,
quietly, happily,
here in the hay.
Big ox, wee mouse, and rooster red.
But at night we watch by the Christ Child’s bed.
Prayer: Keep us ever mindful of the needs of our animal friends, who watched over You on the night of Your birth. Amen.
December 11
Wherever we go at this time of year, we will hear the wonderful music of Advent and Christmas carols. The first carol was sung by the angels to lowly shepherds as they watched over their flocks on a hill outside of Bethlehem.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those whom He favors.
Long ago, people did not sing in the churches. Only the choir sang the hymns. So, the people sang their carols outside the church. God wants us to sing His praises! It is a real privilege and pleasure to make beautiful music with the angels, the shepherds, our fellow Christians the world over, and with the company of heaven. And, we pray God, may it come from our hearts, as Martin Luther said:
My heart for very joy doth leap
My lips no more can silence keep
I, too, must sing with joyful tongue
that sweetest ancient cradle song.
Prayer: Help us to sing with the angels and all people on earth of the birth of Christ. Amen.
December 12
The poinsettia is surely the favorite Christmas plant. Almost everyone thinks of the poinsettia as a flower, but it is not a flower at all. That is, the bright red leaves are not a flower. The flower is the tiny red and gold blossoms which cluster at the center of the bright, star-shaped leaves. Joel R. Poinsett, the United States’ first minister to Mexico, brought this plant with him when he returned from Mexico in 1836. American botanists named the plant for Mr. Poinsett. To the people of Mexico it is the “flower of the holy night,” and they tell this story:
One Christmas Eve, long ago, a little girl was going to church to see the Baby Jesus in the manger. It was the custom to take a gift to the Child Jesus. The little girl was very poor and had no gift to bring. She knelt upon the ground to pray. As she rose from her knees, she saw blooming all around her the loveliest red flowers. Her prayer had been answered, and she had a beautiful gift for the Christ Child. She hurried to the church and placed the beautiful flowers at the manger.
Prayer:
What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would give a lamb.
If I were a wise man, I would do my part.
Yet what can I give Him? Give my heart.
(Christina Rossetti)
December 13
Saint Lucia wears a long white dress with a red sash, and her halo is a crown of lighted candles. She is very proud, but her pride is graced with humility. For, on Saint Lucia’s Day, she who is the loveliest of all becomes the servant of all as she goes from room to room in her home as the first cock crows, singing carols of her land and serving hot coffee and cakes to those she wakes.
The first Saint Lucia lived long ago on the island of Sicily. As her wedding day approached, the story goes, she gave away her dowry to poor Christians. Her angry fiancé informed officials that Lucia was a Christian and she was condemned to be burned at the stake. Through the fire was all around her, she remained unharmed until finally her heart was pierced by a sword.
The people of Sweden chose to make her their heroine, and through the years they have sung her praise and honored her day. It is the celebration of Saint Lucia’s Day that ushers in the Christmas season. There is much cleaning, baking, and planning. Food must be prepared and gifts must be wrapped. Finally, the house must be cleaned from top to bottom, for dust, like sinful thoughts, cannot be tolerated during the holy season.
Prayer: Dear God, may we, like Saint Lucia, let the light of Christ shine through our lives. Amen.
December 14
One of God’s most precious gifts to us is the tree. One tree in particular has come to symbolize new life—the noble evergreen. The Christmas tree—Christ’s tree—has for centuries been a symbol for Christ, the tree of life. Where did the custom of decorating the tree begin?
In medieval times when there were no printed books and few pictures, the stories of the Bible were told through religious plays. The story of Adam and Eve was the Paradise play and became the Advent play. There were two fir trees on the stage. The Tree of Life was trimmed with roses and the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil was trimmed with apples. The Tree of Knowledge later had candles added and by the 15th century small white wafers were added to the Paradise Tree to represent Holy Communion.
Many say Martin Luther introduced the Christmas tree. One starry Christmas Eve, Luther was walking toward his home and saw a beautiful evergreen tree. The starlight made the snow-covered branches twinkle brightly. Luther took a small tree home to share this beauty with his family and attached small candles to it symbolizing Christ, the Light of the world. The Christmas tree spread throughout the world as Germans moved to other countries, taking their Christmas customs with them.
As we decorate our Christmas trees, we should remember Christ, the tree of life, and the many gifts he gives us.
Prayer: Dear Lord, may we, like the fir trees, ever reach toward heaven. Shed on us the light of Your glory for all to see. Amen.
December 15
Good basic brown bread—”the staff of life.” But, not at holiday time. No common sandwich bread but bread that glows with rainbow hues of glazed fruit and nuts. At Christmas time our bread comes as stollen, cookies, fruitcake and other treats that reflect our different cultures and family traditions. Such a variety should remind us of the vast variety of gifts we receive from God. Our daily bread comes in a variety of forms and not only at Christmas time, but throughout the year. Plain and common? Almost never. What about the bread we share with others? Is is plain and common, the least we can afford? Let’s share our “holiday bread” throughout the year.
Prayer: Dear Father, help us to share the gifts we receive, our daily bread, with others. Amen.
December 16
Often this week, you will have to find a quiet space and remember that Christmas is Christ, not the crowds in the stores, the long lines in the post office, and the clamoring demands of unfinished tasks. Wrap the presents. “Gifts wrapped in prayer glow with a particular light.” Richard Wright, in his Book of Days for Christians, suggests that as we wrap our gifts we pray for the person who is to receive them. A blessed thought!
Prayer: I shall pass through this world but once. Any good that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again. Amen.
(Quaker saying attributed to Stephen Grellet)
December 17
One of the most beautiful Christmas customs in the American Southwest is that of the luminarias, the lights of Christmas. This custom began in New Mexico but has spread to all parts of the country. The lighting of the little fires or farolitas and luminarias is an ancient custom of Old Spain and Mexico. These fires represent the great light that the shepherds saw when Jesus was born. Today, some people still use the small bonfires, but the luminaria is more popular. The farolitas were seen in Mexico as long ago as 1626. With the first American traders along the old Santa Fe Trail into New Mexico came the brown paper bags used by merchants and the people who bought from them. Soon the little wood fires were nearly replaced by candles shining through the brown bags, called luminarias. Today, luminarias are placed along curbs, walks, driveways and on flat rooftops. What a lovely way to light the way for the Christ Child’s coming!
Prayer: Dear Father, may Your light shine through our lives to show others the path to Christ. Amen.
December 18
Some people believe that the word “holly” is a form of the word “holy” because of the association of this greenery with Christmas. Holly is really a variation of “holm,” which is a kind of oak. Holly was considered to be the burning bush, a symbol of Mary whose very being glows with the Holy Spirit. Legends say that the Crown of Thorns was made from the holly. Before Christ’s crucifixion the holly berries were white, but turned red like drops of blood when He died.
The holly and the ivy
When they are both full grown
Of all trees that are in the wood
The holly bears the crown.
Prayer: Dear Christ, as we hang our holly in celebration of Your birth, keep us ever mindful of the blood You shed for us on the Cross. Amen.
December 19
“I sent him a gift, and he never acknowledged it!”
“I visited her when she was sick, and she hasn’t phoned me in weeks!”
“When he was hard-up I loaned him some money. He hasn’t mentioned paying it back!”
When a person fails to show gratitude it hurts. We can’t understand how they can accept our gifts and our love and never say thank you.
But what about us? God has given us the greatest gift there is—salvation through His Son—and are we truly grateful? Do we get from God and not give in His name? Do we receive from God and not share what we have? Do we enjoy the security of God’s great love for us and not love others? There are so many ways in which we fail to show our gratitude to God.
This Christmas is a good time to think about all that we have and where it came from.
Prayer: Dear God, we so often forget that all we own comes from You. We take health, love, and even life for granted. Forgive us and help us remember to thank You for everything. Amen.
December 20
One of the oldest Christmas symbols is the burning candle. Long before Christians began to celebrate Christmas as the day of Christ’s birth, the candle was used to signify Christ as the Light of the World. God is the Father of Light: “And God said, ‘Let there be light;’ and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness." (Genesis 1:3-4) God has taught us that light means goodness, truth, life, love, and wisdom. Jesus, who called himself the Light of the World, also told His friends that they, too, were to be lights in the world. Christians are the candles by which the world is made bright with hope and spiritual confidence. A candle must be lighted from another’s torch. The flame by which we burn is Christ.
The candle must be lighted from another’s torch. The flame by which we burn is Christ. The candle suggests two things about our Christian discipleship. The first is that a burning candle, while it is giving light, is being consumed. Christ himself came to give us light, but He laid down His life for us. Christ expects us to give ourselves in loving deeds for others.
The second suggestion is that, although one candle may not shed much light, many candles will brighten any dark place. One Christian’s witness may seem small, but the witness of each Christian put together will make a great light.
Prayer: “Behold the Lord shall come, and all His saints with Him. And in that day the Light shall be great.” Amen.
December 21
Many people say Xmas leaves Christ out. But this has been an accepted way of writing Christmas for more than 400 years. The X in Xmas is not an abbreviation, nor a sign of the cross. It is the Roman way of writing the Greek letter chi, the first letter of the word Christos. To get the word Christmas, you add Christ to “mass.” Or, if you prefer the Roman, you spell it Xmas. In the early church there was much emphasis placed on Christ’s death and resurrection. By the fourth century, however, some of the emphasis was switched to the life of Christ and His mother and some efforts were made to make His birth an important church ceremony. The cradle as well as the cross became a symbol of Christ.
Prayer: Dear God, for the gift of life that came to us on Christmas, we thank you. Amen.
December 22
"Where is He who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East, and have come to worship Him.” Matthew 2:2
The Wise Men followed the star, and they found the Christ. They were not sure of their destination, but they believed the star, for to them the star represented God’s guiding hand. If we believe in God, He will lead us. When we trust Him, He will show us the way to Christ.
Stars are constant and dependable. Astronomers can predict with accuracy the movement of stars. They can tell us the positions of stars thousands of years ago and for thousands of years to come. Our human lives are very unstable. Our plans are altered for the weakest causes. How good it is to know that God, like the stars on high, is the same yesterday, today, and forever! Stars speak of other worlds. Their radiance comes from afar. They testify to a realm beyond our earth. Stars also shine most clearly at night. When the earth is darkest, the stars are brightest. Stars remind us us when we are overcome by problems and nights of fear, then we see most clearly the light of God’s truth and the brightness of His all-comprehending love.
Prayer: Dear God, help us to believe as the Wise men of old, and follow your guiding star, Christ the true light. Amen.
December 23
When you hang the candy canes on your Christmas tree, do you think of what they stand for? Candy canes remind us of the shepherds who were the first to come to worship the baby Jesus. You have heard from God’s Word how Jesus called Himself the Good Shepherd, and the Good Shepherd lays down his life for his sheep. Do you remember, too, about the colors? The red and white of the candy cane remind us of Jesus, our Good Shepherd. His perfect, pure life is represented by the white, and the bands of red show us He gave His life for us.
How strong is our faith? When we think how difficult it would be for us to drop everything, to take time out to learn about Jesus as the shepherds did when they left their flocks to go to Bethlehem, we realize how we need to be strengthened. Take time to learn about Christ…you can build the faith of the shepherds.
Prayer: Many have followed the shepherds, Lord, to worship the King. Increase our faith that we may be among those who meet at the manger of Jesus, bowing with reverence before Him. Amen.
December 24
Angels are God’s messangers. Michael is known as the leader of the heavenly armies and the guardian of the souls of humankind. Raphael is the chief of the guardian angels. But, the angel Gabriel is best known to us, for it is he who brought the message to Mary that she would be the mother of Christ.
Throughout the Bible we can find passages that show God’s use of angels to help in His work. An angel spoke to Abraham and stopped the sacrifice of Isaac. God sent an angel to help Moses lead the Israelites out of Egypt, and Gabriel spoke to Daniel. In the New Testament an angel appeared to Zacharius to tell him that Elizabeth would bear a son, to be named John. And, an angel appeared to Mary Magdalene at the tomb of Christ bearing the message, “He is not hear; for He is risen.”
At Christmas we are most aware of God’s angels. We see them as ornaments, on Christmas cards, and in many creches. When we see the Christmas angels this year, let’s remember that we, too, should carry God’s message. We can sing as the angels did over the fields in Bethlehem so long ago, “Glory to God in the Highest.”
Prayer: Help us to carry your messages and sing your praises with the angels. Amen.