Advent calendars branch out in many directions

Deeply rooted in Christian tradition, the period of Advent marks four weeks of spiritual preparation for the commemoration of the birth of Jesus. Centuries later, the count-down calendars have spawned a myriad of plants that wander far from those religious roots.

Since the four weeks of Advent is a long stretch of time for young children to visualize, creative parents found simple ways to help their children count off the days. Chalking marks on a door or wall was popular in nineteenth century Germany. Another homegrown method was to construct a special calendar such as the one Andrew Lang's mother made. It consisted of cardboard with marked off numbered sectors to which he could attach 24 colorful pictures, one for each day of waiting.

Lang grew up to become a printer and, inspired by nostalgic memories, created and mass-produced Advent calendars much like his mother had made. The decorated card stock base accompanied bright Christmas-related pictures that were to be cut apart and glued over the appropriate date. By the 1920s, Lang had figured out a way to cut little doors that could be opened to reveal pictures or Bible verses behind them.

His invention was a commercial success but was banned by the Nazis in 1939 and he was driven out of business. The ban lifted, as did the cardboard shortage, when the war ended and Advent calendars regained popularity in Germany. They made their way to the United States via returning American soldiers.

German publisher Richard Sellmer began producing Advent calendars in 1946. In 1953, he presented President Eisenhower with one depicting a peaceful German town at Christmastime. The numbered doors and windows of the stores could be opened to reveal scenes of German life. The town church was the last door to be opened, revealing a manger scene. News photos of Eisenhower's three young grandchildren opening one of the windows further popularized the Advent tradition.

Embellishments of the calendar countdowns began to include pieces of candy or small toys behind the numbered windows, which had become more like boxes. In subsequent years the calendars became more secularized and commercial. Santa Claus, snowmen and other familiar Christmas scenes fronted the boxes and the presents in them became more elaborate and expensive. Today you can buy Advent calendars that contain 24 tea bags, beauty products, bath bombs, socks, mini wine bottles, dinosaurs, pieces of jerky, hot sauces, cannabis, Legos, coffee capsules, bracelet charms and even a Barbie doll with clothing and accessories hidden behind each numbered door. There are even Advent calendars featuring treats for cats and dogs.

On a larger scale, in 2007, Harrods offered a $50,000 Christmas-tree-shaped wood carving. It was four feet tall with 24 compartments, each containing a piece of organic chocolate. The tree was a promotion to support cocoa farmers in Belize. Tiffany topped Harrods in 2019 with their exclusive Advent calendar, a four-foot replica of their flagship Fifth Avenue store which opened to reveal 24 doors harboring diamonds, earrings, bracelets and even a special Tiffany watch. The price tag-$112,000.

Gegenbach, Germany, beats them for sheer size. Every year the 200-year-old townhall itself becomes a giant Advent calendar. At night, the previously darkened building is lit up. Then one night at a time the building's 24 windows reveal a lit picture.

But bigger and/or more expensive is not necessarily better. Homemade advent calendars still exist and can be a great deal more meaningful. They can be as simple as making a check mark on an already available calendar. A paper bag, small cardboard boxes, empty soup cans, toilet paper rolls wrapped in colorful papers, virtually anything to which a number can be attached can be made into an advent calendar. The container can hold whatever the maker wishes to place in it. The Internet is literally filled with ideas for such countdown devices.

One suggestion is to create a service-oriented calendar. One day might be a directive to volunteer in some way, maybe offer to walk the neighbor's dog or bake cookies to give to a neighbor. Another might be to find a toy the child no longer plays with and give it to a schoolmate or younger friend who might want it. The directive could be something as simple as saying hello to a person one doesn't usually talk to.

One family wraps up 24 Christmas-related books. Each night the child opens the appropriately numbered package and then mom or dad reads that story for bedtime. The books don't have to be new. Ones that have been put away at the end of the season will be greeted like old friends when they are unpackaged.

For those interested in preparing for Christmas by joining with the global community, there is an everyone-welcome online program. Starting Nov. 28, the beginning of this year's liturgical Advent period, the site each day offers one word for mediation. Participants are invited to meditate on that word and to respond via social media with photos, written responses, drawings, poems, found art, whatever seems relevant to share with the community. For instance, "Promise" might inspire one person to post their wedding photo, while another might show a picture of their Alcoholics Anonymous pin and a third might write out the words of the Pledge of Allegiance. The postings in turn encourage participants to expand their own sense of the day's word. The 2021 words have just been announced. (Search 2021 AdventWord Prompt or #AdventWord on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.)

For those whose gaze extends beyond the global sphere, "The Atlantic" magazine each year posts the Hubble Space Telescope Advent Calendar. Starting Dec. 1, the magazine presents an online full-screen view of one of Hubble's most spectacular photos. The stunning visuals are accompanied by two or three sentences of explanation.

Whether seeking treats or inspiration, everyone can buy or make an Advent calendar to help them prepare for Christmas.