Advent, today, frequently gets short shrift in the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping, baking and decorating. Some church traditions keep the season fairly strictly, while others barely retain a memory of the tradition. Advent calendars are a sort of count down from December first to Christmas. Typically an Advent calendar will have a tiny door that can be opened for each day. In flat paper calendars opening the door may reveal a picture or text. In more elaborate calendars the door may conceal a small compartment that may contain characters for a tiny manger scene. Others contain trinkets, chocolates or other sweets.
My children have enjoyed Advent calendars since they were small - and now that they are grown, they still enjoy them and will likely continue the tradition. This is my attempt at a digital Advent calendar. My intention is to post a piece of text, a link to choral music or a short video each day in anticipation of the Christmas celebration.This is also my effort to provide an alternative to the commercial Christmas we have been bombarded with since October and to find relief and hope in the ancient traditions and to explore the meaning of the holiday.
