It’s Almost Christmas

Advent is from Latin and means “coming”, so, in effect, it means the time before Jesus comes. The Advent period leading up to Christmas Day is counted in different ways. For churches, it is celebrated on the four Sundays before the 25th of December, while traditional children’s Advent calendars start on the 1st December. For some Christians, the countdown begins on the feast of St Martin on November 11th, when they begin fasting for 3 days a week until they break their fast on Christmas Day.

Advent traditions also vary according to the country. In Austria, the tradition of Christkindl (Christ child) is particularly representative of the spirit of Christmas. Children draw lots and the winner becomes the Christkindl (and the symbol of the baby Jesus), and every day until Christmas their family have to do something special for them. But it has to be done secretly and as a surprise. In Italy, the example set by St Francis of Assisi in the Middle Ages of creating a Nativity scene in churches has led to a whole cottage industry where craftsmen create the most incredibly beautiful and intricately carved scenes of Jesus’ birth. It is a Christmas Eve tradition in Italy for families to visit these wonderful examples of Christian art.

Apart from displaying Nativity scenes, Churches also put up an Advent Wreath. This consists of a circle laid flat with four candles around the outside and one placed in the middle. The outside candles are lit one by one on each Sunday leading up to Christmas Day and the central candle is lit on the day itself. Some homes have their own special Advent candle which has a line marked for every day of Advent and each successive day the candle is allowed to burn down to the next line before being blown out.

Children’s Advent calendars these days are usually a piece of card in the shape of something associated with Christmas, like a tree or Santa. For each day there is a small flap to be opened and behind it there is a little surprise – a scrap of paper with a wise saying, a piece of chocolate or even a tiny toy. More traditional Advent calendars are made of cloth and have a pocket for each day and parents put a present in them. While missing the element of surprise, this is much more environmentally friendly and it is also a very nice family keepsake.

One final thought. It is quite common for families and local churches to create their own Advent traditions because it helps to bind a community together. This Advent, why don’t you create something that celebrates the true spirit of Christmas and make it your very own family tradition?

If you need ideas for celebrating Advent and Christmas with your children, you will find lots of good ones in Lisa Whelchel’s The ADVENTure of Christmas.