In my British family, the Cadbury Advent calendars became an integral part of our cherished Christmas traditions. The sight of those beautifully designed calendars, with their vibrant colors and festive illustrations, always brought a sense of excitement and anticipation. The rich aroma of the Cadbury chocolate wafted through the air as each door opened, tempting our senses, and making our mouths water in anticipation.
As an adult, I discovered the Advent calendar tradition dates back to the 1850s, adding a historical depth to the tradition that I passed down to my own children and grandchildren. Now, every year, I take pleasure in purchasing these calendars for my loved ones, knowing they will experience the same joy and delight I did as a child.
Advent is a fun and simple tradition where families count down the days until Christmas, filled with excitement and anticipation. For those who believe Jesus to be the Son of God and the Messiah, Advent holds a deeper meaning. It’s a time for them to come together in prayer and reflection, preparing their hearts for the celebration of Jesus’s birth.
What is Advent?
According to the church calendar, Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, typically falling between November 27th and December 3rd, ushering in a season of anticipation and preparation for the holiday. The four Sundays of Advent, always observed with candle lighting, readings from Scripture, and the singing of hymns, mark a time of anticipation and preparation for the birth of Jesus. Because the exact number of days between the start of Advent and Christmas Eve can vary, most Advent calendars start on December 1st and end on December 24th. December 1 marks the start of this year’s Advent.
Every Sunday during Advent, the soft glow of a newly lit candle fills the room, inviting us to ponder the themes of hope, peace, love, and joy. The focus on the commercial aspects of Advent calendars has overshadowed its religious significance; how can we use it to teach the next generation about our faith? To transform this moment into a faith lesson, read scriptures about each of them before opening the calendar door, and conclude with a prayer inspired by the Lutheran Church.
Hope in Advent
Every morning, I’d jump out of bed hoping that my parents would let me rip open the calendar before breakfast, because who doesn’t love the taste of chocolate, especially first thing in the morning? Teach them about hope by sharing and discussing the following scriptures.
- Sunday, Dec. 1: John 1:1-5 (NIV).
- Monday, Dec. 2: Jeremiah 33:14-16 (NIV).
- Tuesday, Dec. 3: Luke 1:5-10 (NIV).
- Wednesday, Dec. 4: Luke 1:11-17 (NIV).
- Friday, Dec. 5: Luke 1:26-38 (NIV).
- Saturday, Dec. 6: Matthew 1:18-21 (NIV).
Dear Jesus, you are the hope in our messy world. This Advent, help us slow down, listen to your voice, and focus on what’s really important. We place our hope in you as we prepare our hearts to celebrate your birth on Christmas. Amen.
Advent Peace
The anticipation of the day’s calendar door, a quiet tension, replaced the usual peace around our house. To convey teachings on peace, consider reading the following scriptures:
- Sunday, Dec. 7: Matthew 1:22-25 (NIV).
- Monday, Dec. 8: Isaiah 7:14 (NIV).
- Tuesday, Dec. 9: Luke 1:39-45 (NIV).
- Wednesday, Dec. 10: Luke 1:46-56 (NIV).
- Thursday, Dec. 11: Luke 1:68-79 (NIV).
- Friday, Dec. 12: Luke 2:1-5 (NIV).
- Saturday, Dec. 13: Luke 2:6-7 (NIV).
Dear Jesus, you entered our world on Christmas as the Prince of Peace. This Advent, as we strive to become the-best-version-of-ourselves, fills us with a deep and abiding peace. Help us share that peace with everyone we encounter, especially those who need it most. Amen.
Joy of Advent
The smell of chocolate filled the air during Advent, and it was one source of my childhood joy. These Bible verses, along with the sweet treats, will help us share the message of the joy that Christ gives to us.
- Sunday, Dec. 14: Luke 2:8-12 (NIV).
- Monday, Dec. 15: Luke 2:13-14 (NIV).
- Tuesday, Dec. 16: Luke 2:15-18 (NIV).
- Wednesday, Dec. 17: Luke 2:19-20 (NIV).
- Thursday, Dec. 18: Matthew 2:1-2 (NIV).
- Friday, Dec. 19: Matthew 2:3-6 (NIV).
- Saturday, Dec. 20: Matthew 2:7-8 (NIV).
Dear Jesus, help us focus on you during this busy season. May we stay aware of the joy you bring into our lives. We want to find you in the everyday moments and come with hearts of gratitude to your manger on Christmas. Amen.
Love
My parents’ love for us was clear in the thoughtful gifts they provided, but it was the joy they shared each day as we opened our calendar that made the presents truly special. During this Advent season, use these Bible verses to illustrate the depth and breadth of Christ’s love.
- Sunday, Dec. 21: Matthew 2:9-12 (NIV).
- Monday, Dec. 22: Isaiah 9:6-7 (NIV).
- Tuesday, Dec. 23: John 1:1-14 (NIV).
Dear Jesus, may the light of your love always shine in our hearts. As Christmas draws closer, we marvel at your great love for us. Let your love transform every aspect of our lives and touch everyone we encounter. Our hearts are open to you, Jesus. Amen.
The Next Advent
The second coming of Christ, also known as the second Advent, is still awaited. According to the Bible, which is the Word of God, we have the knowledge that it will occur. The promise of Jesus’ second coming is a core belief in the Christian faith. The exact time remains a mystery to us. It’s important for us to always be ready and keep our hearts prepared.
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him” (Matthew 24:42-44 NIV).
Wishing you and yours a Very Merry Christmas
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Yvonne M. Morgan is a Christian #author, #blogger, and #speaker. #BibleGatewayPartner
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
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Yvonne, the beauty of the Cadbury calendar made my mouth water anticipating chocolate. Thanks for the Advent reading schedule. What a great idea!
Thank you Barbara. I have my calendar out and can’t wait till Sunday to start enjoying. God bless
Thank you for sharing this message on Advent. It’s a wonderful reminder to appreciate the coming of our Lord. I’m saving your message to follow along with the readings you’ve shared. Merry Christmas!
Thank you for the Advent scriptures, Yvonne.
Thanks Priscilla and God bless
This is great! I love the idea of a calendar to help us focus on Advent as we prepare our hearts for Christmas.
Thanks Jessica. I hope you had a marvelous Thanksgiving. God bless.
What a wonderful post, Yvonne! I appreciate how you shared your experiences, explained Advent, and included Scripture verses for each week. Well done! May we keep Jesus at the center!
Amen Melissa and thanks. Praying for all of us to prepare our hearts for our Savior. God bless
I love the Advent Season! Thank you for sharing your childhood advent tradition with us and for carrying it on with your offspring.
Thank you Candyce. Being able to pass them on is such a blessing. I pray you enjoy this Advent.