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An Advent calendar of ideas for adults
We always had an Advent calendar when I was growing up—the paper kind where you open a window and see a picture. Nowadays you can get chocolate Advent calendars, wooden Advent calendars that you can reuse from year to year, even calendars with beauty products for each day (yes, it’s true!)
Here’s an Advent calendar of daily ideas for adults, beginning December 1. If you think chocolate would help, buy a bag of Hershey’s Kisses (or your favorite candy), and have one a day, after you do the suggested activity.
Here’s an Advent prayer to use each day: “O Holy One, thank you for coming to us anew this day. Prepare our hearts and reawaken our love for you as we discern your call within us. May we join with you in making level the path for all people.”[i]
Days of December:
Wednesday, December 1 – Write a sentence about your purpose for Advent and Christmas this year. A couple of examples: “My purpose for Advent and Christmas this year is to connect with people I couldn’t see last year.” Or, “My purpose this year is to spend less and give more money away.” Or, as a coaching client of mine suggested recently, your purpose could be to “do less this Advent.” It doesn’t have to be the perfect purpose. You can change it later if it isn’t working.
Thursday, December 2 – Listen to “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” (Here’s a lovely version from The King’s Singers.)
Friday, December 3 – Meditate for one (or more!) minutes, breathing in “O come O come” and breathing out “Emmanuel.”
Saturday, December 4 – Find a children’s Advent or Christmas book online or try your public library. One of my favorites is “The Friendly Beasts,” by Tomie De Paola (Puffin Books, 1998).
Sunday, December 5 – Find some way to worship, in person or online. If you don’t have a community, try the brief meditation at Pray as You Go or use their app.
Monday, December 6 – Take today off from the news, however you usually consume it. Turn off any news notifications.
Tuesday, December 7 – Look up at the sky morning, noon, and night. Ideally, step outside if you can. This is a good way to get perspective any time of year. If it’s a clear night, look for stars. The moon is a crescent tonight, so you may be able to see some if there’s not too much urban light.
Wednesday, December 8 – Even if you don’t have a Christmas tree, hang a string of lights somewhere in your house. Plug them in and turn off the other lights. (Even easier, turn on a flashlight and turn off the lights.) Take a moment and imagine the coming light of Christ at Christmas.
Thursday, December 9 – Meditate for one or more minutes, using the phrase, “Come to us, Lord Jesus.” Breathe in on “Come to us” and out on “Lord Jesus.”
Friday, December 10 – Read your favorite Christmas story. Here’s one to try if you don’t have a favorite, O. Henry’s brief and touching story “The Gift of the Magi.”
Saturday, December 11 – Walk or drive somewhere you can see outdoor Christmas lights. It could be just a house or two; it doesn’t have to be a big display.
Here’s an Advent calendar of daily ideas for adults, beginning December 1. If you think chocolate would help, buy a bag of Hershey’s Kisses (or your favorite candy), and have one a day, after you do the suggested activity.
Sunday, December 12 – Find some way to worship, in person or online. If you don’t have a community, try the brief meditation at Pray as You Go or use their app.
Monday, December 13 – Watch your favorite Christmas movie or TV show.
Tuesday, December 14 – Download a Christmas coloring page and color it. Here’s a “joy” image with some other options. Or draw a Christmas picture, even if you don’t think you are an artist.
Wednesday, December 15 – Smile at people you see. (Even if you have a mask on, people can tell from your eyes). Include family members.
Thursday, December 16 – Cut out or simply draw a star and color it yellow (even a yellow highlighter will do.) Put it somewhere you will see it daily.
Friday, December 17 – Send an appreciative email to someone with Christmas greetings. Thank them for who they are and what they do.
Saturday, December 18 – Call your favorite extended family member (yes, on the phone).
Sunday, December 19 – Find some way to worship, in person or online. If you don’t have a community, try the brief meditation at Pray as You Go or use their app.
Monday, December 20 – Find a photograph of a Christmas celebration that gave you joy. Spend a few moments looking at it and remembering. Or call to mind an image of that celebration.
Tuesday, December 21 – Make a list of some of the gifts you have received this last year (tangible and intangible).
Wednesday, December 22 – Look at some images of the Nativity. Here’s a wonderful Pinterest page from the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) with multicultural Nativity images.
Thursday, December 23 – Anticipate the Christmas celebration by singing your favorite Christmas carol to yourself (even if you can’t carry a tune—try it in the shower)
Friday, December 24 – Find some way to worship, in person or online. If you don’t have a community, try the brief meditation at Pray as You Go or use their app. Light a candle while you watch or listen.
Rev. Margaret Marcuson helps ministers do their work without wearing out or burning out, through ministry coaching, presentations and online resources.
The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of American Baptist Home Mission Societies.
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