Advent calendars and the real meaning of Christmas
It’s December 1st which means that on the way home from school today Emily asked why she didn’t have an Advent calendar.
But you do honey, I said. California Grandma sent us a nice one with Baby Jesus, Joseph and Mary, the three wise men, the whole cast from the nativity play. You opened it this morning.
No, I mean a CHOCOLATE one.
Oh, good question, as chocolate Advent calendars are as ubiquitous in December as a runny nose. I meant to pick onethree up over the weekend, but all they had at Tesco was High School Musical, Hannah Montana and Barbie.
I think there was also some sort of boy one, probably Spiderman, but nothing else. No nice sleigh bells ringing, no little birds nestling in the snow, no nativity scenes. Zipity doo-dah.
Just Disney and chocolate.
Is this what Christmas has become?
What about the birth of Jesus? Giving. Doing things for others. The reason for the season.
I’m glad that some people have not forgotten, for example:
- Pampers and UNICEF have teamed up this season to eliminate newborn tetanus by 2012.
- Laura Comfort has released for Christmas a new children’s video A Better World to help fight poverty in the UK.
We had a talk about how High School Musical was not the real meaning of Christmas.
It’s not about us, I explained, it’s about giving to others.
Yes mummy, we know, but can we still get the High School Musical calendars anyway, if I give mine to Alexandra, and she gives hers to me?
Photo credit: starrynight
Bee | 6th Dec 08
Your daughter is showing early signs of logic — not to mention advanced rationalization! BTW, for picture Advent calendars and the old-fashioned German kitsch kind, visit Camp Hopson in Newbury.
Treemama | 5th Dec 08
I was beating myself up for not picking up an Advent calendar this year.
Oh well, we do a nativity countdown.
You are so right in that the holidays are SO commercially driven, and we come off as “mean mommies”. Ah well, maybe some day they will understand.
nappy valley girl | 3rd Dec 08
It is a shame that they all seem to have chocolates now – it used to be just something extra….
have tagged you by the way, over at mine!
Reluctant Memsahib | 2nd Dec 08
Hat was in process of making advent calendar and thoroughly disheartened when kids at school said theirs all had chocolates in. she hadn’t figured on the space for those. and i hadn’t factored in chocolates.
TooManyHats | 2nd Dec 08
Your little girl is so sweet and obviously quick on her feet 🙂
My nephew (the only nephew or neice I have) will only be 10 months this Christmas. One of his gifts will be for next Christmas and the Christmases to come – a wooden advent calendar with little drawers. I doubt it will be used much differently than the High School Musical ones you describe, but I just could not help myself. I love the advent calendar tradition.
daysgoby | 1st Dec 08
Oh they’re sweet!
Lis of the North | 1st Dec 08
“Can we still get the High School Musical calendars anyway, if I give mine to Alexandra, and she gives hers to me?”
Love it! You can’t beat child logic.