Group 4: Advent Calendar
Select a group member to read the introduction on the back of the calendar
Select a group member to open the doors as other members read and explain.
Practice finding the windows as group members read.
Divide the 24 days among the other members to read and explain.
ADVENT CALENDAR
Advent calendars are a special way for parents and grandparents to explain the Bible stories that lead to the birth of Jesus. These inexpensive calendars can be purchased at Catholic Book Stores such as Easter’s Catholic Books and Gifts, 5441 Palm (just north of the Madison Ave. and Auburn Blvd. intersection) or the Catholic Store at 1938 Broadway. Beginning on December 1, your child opens door number 1 revealing a beautiful color picture and a meaningful quote from Scripture. On each succeeding day, until the last door is opened on Christmas Eve, your child or grandchild will open one door. What better way for children to learn the true meaning of Christmas. A typical Advent Calendar might list the following symbols and Bible stories:
December 1: Stained Glass: Arise, shine, for your light has come! Isaiah 60:1
December 2: Candle: Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight his path. Isaiah 40:3
December 3: Ornaments: Every valley shall be lifted up, every mountain and hill made low. Isaiah 40:4
December 4: Candy cane: O Bethlehem…from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel. Micah 5:2
December 5: Christmas Tree: Let the sky rain down justice and the earth bud forth a savior. Isaiah 45:8
December 6: Christmas Wreath: There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. Isaiah 11:1
December 7: Holly: The mountain of the house of the Lord…all the nations shall flock to it, and many peoples shall come. Isaiah 2:2-3
December 8: Presents: They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Isaiah 2:4
December 9: A child and a lion: The lion shall lie down with the lamb… and a little child shall lead them. Isaiah 11:6
December 10: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. Luke 4:18
December 11: A bishop: Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer is heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear your son, and you shall call his name John. Luke 1:13
December 12: A child playing a drum: After me comes he who is mightier than I… he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. Mark 1:7-8
December 13: Mary and Angel Gabriel: Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. Luke 1:30-31.
December 14: Joseph and the Angel: Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1:20
December 15: Joseph and Mary: Joseph went up from Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be enrolled with Mary his betrothed who was with child. Luke 2: 4-5
December 16: Three Kings: Wise men from the East came to Jerusalem. Mathew 2:1
December 17: The Star: We have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him. Matthew 2:2
December 18: The Star over Jerusalem: Herod enquired of them where the Christ was to be born… They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea” Matthew 2:4-5
December 19: Bells: There was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7
December 20: Shepherds: There were shepherds in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night. Luke 2:8.
December 21: An Angel: An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them. Luke 2:9
December 22: Apple: I bring you good news of great joy. Luke 2:10
December 23: The Holy Family: To you is born this day in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11
December 24: Baby Jesus: The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we have seen his glory. John 1:14