The advent means the coming of the Lord. An Advent Calendar is a great way to remember to think about Him as we await the celebration of His birth.
Traditionally, an Advent Calendar is a picture of a Christmas scene, either religious or secular. The scene is layered over a page of hidden pictures. Within the scene are cut out openable doors. There are 24 doors, numbered 1 to 24, corresponding to the 24 days before Christmas. Open the first door on Dec. 1, the second door on Dec. 2, the third door on Dec. 3 and so on. Continue opening one door per day until Christmas Eve. A surprise is found behind each of the doors. The images behind the door are the sights and symbols of Christmas: presents, bells, holly, trees, stars, candy. The image behind door No. 24 is often an image of the baby Jesus. I encourage you to resist the temptation to open doors ahead of time. It spoils the fun.
The Internet offers a fantastic way to represent the Advent Calendar. I've seen all kinds of surprises: Christmas cookie recipes, Christmas carols to sing and scripture to read. Stop by Richard Sellmer's Advent Calendar Museum. The pictures take some time to download, but are worth the wait.
Christmas 1997 marked the first year Crosswalk.com presented an Advent Calendar. Since that time we've added the Advent Wreath, a Boxing Day - giving page, a New Year's Eve page and the Nativity Scene.
I love Christmas and enjoyed opening Advent Calendars as a child. They are a fun way to count down the days until Christmas. Can you remember the agonizing, thrilling wait for Christmas morning? Opening the doors makes the waiting fun and builds the excitement.
Join us this Advent season. Bookmark the Advent Calendar home page so you can return each day to open a new door as we await the celebration of our Savior's birth. Behind the doors you will find scripture, inspirational stories contributed by Crosswalk members, things to see, hear and do on and off the Internet, games, quizzes and a whole lot more. Each Sunday of Advent you can light your Advent Wreath candles and build your Nativity Scene with us.
Share with us your Christmas stories, favorite scripture, and outreach projects. As time permits, I will read your contributions and attempt to find a place to add your surprise. It is incredibly encouraging to read the stories submitted (by land and by sea) from all over the world! Thank you for taking time out of your day to spend the days of Advent with us.
Visit our Advent Calendar
