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Advent Calender Craft

© Peggy Hoehne

Advent is the church season just before Christmas. It begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas day, which is the Sunday nearest November 30, and ends on Christmas Eve, December 24. This year, Advent begins on November 28, 2004.

Advent is considered a time of anticipation and preparation for the coming of the Christ child. The word Advent means "coming" or "arrival." The spirit of expectation and longing is especially strong in the children who look forward to Christmas.

Advent calendars became popular in the late 1800s in Germany. The tradition spread throughout Europe and North America. Traditionally, the Advent calendar was a card or poster with 24 small doors. One door was opened each day from December 1 until Christmas Eve. Behind each door would be a picture of an angel or Biblical figure.

Some Advent calendars have become very ornate, being built of wood, with real little doors that open, and a gift behind each door. Others are still very simple and used as a way of counting down the days until Christmas.

You can make your own Advent calendar with a few simple supplies.

Advent Tree Calendar

Supplies:
Paper towel tubes Scissors or craft knife Glue Green Paint Trinkets

Directions:
Cut paper towel rolls into inch-long segments.
Glue together in this arrangement.

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Paint it green and add some glitter.
Fill each hole with a trinket.

The trinkets used to fill the Advent calendar spaces can be small toys, old jewelry from garage sale finds, or candy. Use your imagination to think of other things that could be used.

Use your Advent calendar tree forward or backward. You can add a pretty decoration each day or take away a toy or candy each day.

Original craft from Crafty Kids

Things to talk about: Does your church observe Advent?
What can you do to help make the time of Advent a special time of preparing for Christmas?
How can you make this time special for your family?
Can you make special gifts for your family for each day until Christmas? What could they be? A picture you draw. Helping with chores. Doing something special for someone. Taking a gift to someone needy. What other things can you think of?

Learn more about Advent:
The start of the Christmas season and Advent calendars:History of the Advent Calendar

Online Advent Calendars to visit:
Online CHRISTMAS ADVENT CALENDAR
The 2004 Advent Calendar A web based traditional Advent Calendar by St. Margaret Mary Parish in Naperville, Illinois

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