essay daily advent calendar

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24+ December Journal Prompts: Advent Calendar

With the year nearly over, most of you might still be in a rush to cram in your new year’s resolutions from last year. With all the rush and excitement of the holidays coming up, it’s still important to reflect on the year so far. And wIth this in mind, we have created this list of wonderful December journal prompts in the form of an exciting advent calendar for 2020. Countdown the days until Christmas by reflecting on the year so far, setting goals and being grateful for the important things in your life. 

The December journal prompts are great for 2nd grade and 1st-grade students to get them writing throughout the holidays. In fact, even grown-ups find these prompts inspirational! For more inspiration this month, check out our post on 31 December writing prompts and these 36 winter writing prompts .

Journal Prompts Advent Calendar 2020

A whole year is nearly over and now it’s time to look back at the best bits, the worst bits and plan ahead for the new year. It’s also a time of joy and celebration, as everyone looks forward to the Christmas holidays. With our unique journal prompts advent calendar, we hope you find inspiration every day until Christmas. Come back every day for a new journal prompt idea to inspire you, plus a bonus 7 December journal prompts topics to take you up to New Year.

Come back on the 1st of December 2020 to unlock this calendar! Can’t wait until then? Scroll down to our list of December journal prompt ideas .

Interested in more advent calendars? Check out some of our advent calendars from the past:

• Christmas writing prompts advent calendar
• Storybook quotes advent calendar
• Festive Christmas poems advent calendar!

December Journal Prompts List

Can’t wait to open up all the days in the above advent calendar? Not to worry, here is a list of all the December journal topic ideas from the advent calendar above, plus 7 bonus prompts to take up to the new year:

• Write down at least three goals that you want to achieve by the end of this month.
• Write a letter to Santa Claus with all the things you want this Christmas.
• Make a list of Christmas movies, you plan on watching this month.
• “The best gift is giving from your heart” – Kevin Heath. Using this quote as inspiration, make a list of gifts that you can give to your friends and family this Christmas.
• Write an acrostic poem using the letters that spell, Winter.
• Make an A to Z list of things relating to the holidays. You could even create a festive word cloud using these words. 
• Write down at least five ways to give back to your local community this holiday season.
• Reflect on your favourite Christmas moment from the past.
• What was the worst Christmas moment you remember?
• Create a collection of at least ten of your favourite Christmas quotes. 
• Finish this sentence in at least ten different ways: I love Christmas because…
• What is the best gift you ever received?
• List at least five nice things you can do for your parents this Christmas.
• Are you feeling festive or cheerful today? Explain your answer. 
• Reveal your inner Grinch and finish this sentence in at least five different ways: I dislike Christmas because…
• Reflect on your holiday traditions. What things do you do every year with your family?
• Make a list of your favourite Christmas treats and food
• What is your favourite Christmas movie and why?
• Have you been naughty or nice this year? And why do you think this?
• Create your very own Christmas elf character . Think about their name, personality, their likes and dislikes.
• Make a list of three wishes you would like to make for the world this holiday season.
• What was the best present you ever gave someone?
• What do you think the true meaning of Christmas is? Describe the true meaning of Christmas in your own words. 
• Write a poem titled, ‘The Day Before Christmas’. Describe the feelings and emotions you are going through today.
• Merry Christmas! Write a poem titled, Christmas Morning to describe the feeling and emotions you had this morning.
• Describe the best gift you received this Christmas.
• Is there someone that you missed this Christmas?
• What things would you do differently next Christmas? And what things will you keep the same?
• Write a description of the most beautiful winter scene you’ve ever seen. This can be from real-life, books, movies or even from your dreams.  
• What was the best thing you learned this year and why? For more New Year inspired prompts, check out this post on New Year writing prompts .
• Create a summary of this year. Write down at least five of your favourite moments and five of your least favourite moments from this year. 

Did you enjoy these journal prompts? Check out our new year journal prompts for a reflective start to the year.

December is the perfect time for reflection. We hope these December journal prompts and advent calendar inspire you to keep on writing throughout the holidays. And keep on reflecting on everything you learned this year.

Marty the wizard is the master of Imagine Forest. When he's not reading a ton of books or writing some of his own tales, he loves to be surrounded by the magical creatures that live in Imagine Forest. While living in his tree house he has devoted his time to helping children around the world with their writing skills and creativity.

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Sunday, November 30, 2014

11/30, the first sunday after thanksgiving, it turns out, is the first day of advent, thus the essay daily advent calendar 2014 arriveth.

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Advent calendars, explained: where they came from and why they're everywhere now.

What started as a Christmas countdown has increasingly become a retail opportunity. While Advent calendars have evolved over the centuries, they still accomplish some of their original objectives.

The winter holidays may be approaching, but Advent calendar season is already in full swing.

For decades , many Americans have celebrated the 24 days until Christmas with the classic countdown calendars, opening little doors or drawers to reveal a small treat — traditionally a Bible verse, a toy or a piece of chocolate.

But companies are getting increasingly creative, meaning there's a much wider variety of Advent goodies to choose from these days.

Wine, makeup, jam, beef jerky, jewelry, pet treats, socks, skin care, hot sauce, candles, tea bags, hair products, gemstones, toys, cheese, chocolate and coffee are just some of this year's possibilities .

There are plenty of virtual calendars that offer new riddles , games and songs each day. And you can even create your own online calendar with pictures, videos and messages.

Some brands have also started offering "Hanukkah calendars," with one treat — including chocolates , nail polish , cat toys and hair products — for each of the holiday's eight nights.

Brands are also releasing calendars — and selling out of them — farther and farther ahead of December.

Aldi drops its highly anticipated Advent calendars on Nov. 1, and sends only one shipment to each store — meaning supplies don't last long. Anthropologie's senior product and packaging manager told Modern Retail last year that its calendar has sold out faster every year since it first hit shelves in 2018.

"They're just everywhere," Marcia Mogelonsky, the director of insight, food and drink and market research firm Mintel, told Morning Edition in 2022. "Everything's an Advent calendar now."

Here's a look at how we got here.

The calendars have their religious roots in Germany

First things first: The season of Advent dates back to the fourth century, and is celebrated by most Christian churches in the Western tradition. The four-week period begins on the Sunday closest to the feast day of St. Andrew the Apostle (Nov. 30) and lasts for the next three Sundays.

Scholars believe that the period was originally a season of preparation for the baptism of new Christians at the January Feast of Epiphany. Advent — which comes from the Latin word for "arrival" — gradually became associated with the coming of Christ, and by the Middle Ages was explicitly linked to Christmas.

Today, most Advent calendars don't technically cover the Advent season, but instead start on Dec. 1 and run through either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. The reason is practical, as Vox explains : The length of the Advent season changes from year to year, so it's easier to pick a set number of days for calendars that can be reproduced or reused every season.

Advent calendars have their roots in the 19th century, when German Protestants started taking creative steps to mark the days leading up to Christmas, like ticking off chalk marks on walls or doors, lighting candles and placing straws in a Nativity crib.

Some families hung up a devotional image each day, which led to the creation of the first known handmade, wooden Advent calendar in 1851 and other early "Christmas clocks" and "Christmas candles" in the following years.

They made their way to the U.S. after World War II

German publisher Gerhard Lang is credited as the inventor of the printed Advent calendar , which was inspired by the childhood memory of his mom sewing 24 cookies into the lid of a box and allowing him to eat one each day of Advent.

Lang produced the first printed and commercial Advent calendar in the early 1900s — in partnership with illustrator Ernst Kepler — and continued to innovate over the years, including creating the first calendars with doors in the 1920s.

Other publishers followed suit, and by the 1930s Advent calendars were in high demand in Germany.

However, things took a dark turn during World War II , when paper was rationed and the Nazi Party banned the printing of illustrated calendars. As part of its effort to rebrand Christmas , the Third Reich later created its own Advent calendar — incorporating swastikas and other symbols, Vox reports — to be distributed to mothers and children.

At the end of the war, longing for normalcy, companies with the means returned to printing traditional Christmas Advent calendars — and returning service members brought them back to Europe and the U.S.

President Dwight Eisenhower gave them a huge popularity boost at home when national newspapers ran a photograph of him opening one with his grandchildren in 1953. Still, the Advent calendar needed a few more years and iterations to reach its final form (or at least the version that we know today).

The first chocolate-filled Advent calendars reportedly appeared on the scene in the 1950s, and Cadbury began commercially producing them in 1971. It took two more decades before they were popular enough for the company to put into continuous production — and the rest is history.

They're increasingly popular with retailers and shoppers

Retailers of all kinds, from supermarkets to department stores, have been producing and selling more Advent calendars in recent years.

U.K. department store Selfridges & Co. offered a whopping 128 Advent calendars in 2022, more than double the previous year's offerings, Reuters reported at the time. Stateside, Saks Fifth Avenue sold 18 types of calendars (with prices ranging from $65 to $3,500), up six from the year before.

And while advent calendars come in different styles and sizes these days, Mogelonsky told Morning Edition that they still accomplish some of the same things they set out to do centuries ago.

"We all need the gift of time. And this is a way of slowing us down," she says. "So it kind of prolongs the experience, as the original Advent calendar concept was when it was developed in the late 19th century as a way of marking the days 'til Christmas."

Plus, as NPR has reported , modern-day Advent calendars can be displayed all month, enjoyed with family and shared on social media.

And they're a great way for companies to get samples to customers, especially those who might go on to purchase more of their products down the road.

Mogelonsky noted that's especially important — and challenging — these days, with inflation high and recession fears looming.

"It's especially difficult to sell new products when the economy is not the best in the world, because you are reluctant to spend a big amount of money on something you might not like," she explains.

By bundling products together, retailers are subtly encouraging shoppers to spend more than they might otherwise. And brands are hoping people will go out and buy more — or full-size versions — of what they liked, even after the holiday season is over.

Take Bean Box, a Seattle-based coffee subscription company that secured a retail deal with Walmart after selling out of all 10,000 of its Advent calendars in 2021, according to business magazine Inc.com . It doubled its supply of Advent calendars the following holiday season.

Advent calendars don't just have to be for Christmas, Mogelonsky said, so consider stocking up now for countdowns to future birthdays, graduations or other special occasions.

"Instead of one big gift, draw it out," she adds. "Slow time down a bit by counting the days 'til this happens."

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Advent 2021:

Come and worship, a free online advent calendar and devotional journey.

Advent is more than a countdown to Christmas Day. It’s a season to prepare our hearts to celebrate the incarnation of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Thankfully, this kind of preparation doesn’t require a lot of time, tinsel, ingredients, or wrappings. The only thing needed is to come and worship.

May these Advent devotions be your daily opportunity to respond to that invitation. Visit the calendar below for new devotionals each day or subscribe to receive them directly in your inbox, along with some fun surprises and free downloadables along the way!

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Advent: A time for coming near

by Richard McBrien

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The First Sunday of Advent, which we celebrated yesterday, marks the beginning of the church's liturgical year, which, of course, makes no sense to most people who are satisfied that the new year begins Jan. 1.

But that is only the case where the Gregorian calendar, traditionally attributed to Gregory XIII (pope from 1572-85), is normative. In fact, Christians, who had followed the Julian calendar until 1582, used to celebrate New Year's Day on March 25, the feast of the Annunciation.

For the Chinese and other Asian communities, New Year's Day has a changeable date, falling somewhere between January 10 and February 19. This year the Lunar New Year begins on Sunday, February 14.

The Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah) is also a moveable holiday, observed sometime in September or early October. This past fall it was celebrated beginning at sundown on Friday, September 18, and continuing on Saturday, the 19th.

The church's First Sunday of Advent usually occurs in late November, as it did this year, but it can fall as late as Dec. 2. When that happens, as it last did in 2006, the Fourth Sunday of Advent is also Christmas Eve.

Advent, as this column pointed out in 2006, has never had the same spiritual drawing-power as its sister season of Lent. What both seasons have in common, however, is that they are periods of spiritual preparation for major feasts: Christmas and Easter respectively.

Advent, which is derived from a Latin word which means "a coming toward (or near)," focuses the church's attention on the three comings of Christ: in the past at his birth at Bethlehem, in the present, especially in his presence in the community gathered for the Eucharist and in the sacrament itself, and in the future, at his Second Coming.

We need no special reminder during Advent of the feast that celebrates the Lord's initial coming at Bethlehem. We are given ample advance notice of the approach of Christmas in commercial advertising, which used to begin in earnest after Thanksgiving but now begins after Halloween, in seasonal music on radio and television, and in the multiple lights and decorations that appear on our houses and streets, and in malls and department stores.

We do believe in the Second Coming as well as Christmas, but only notionally, that is, as an idea that has little or no meaningful connection with our everyday experience.

It is the coming of Christ in the present that is the most spiritually engaging of the three comings we celebrate in Advent.

The Second Vatican Council's Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy pointed out that, when Catholics gather for the Eucharist, Christ is present in the worshiping community itself, in the Word that is proclaimed, in the persons of the various ministers, and uniquely in the sacrament of Holy Communion (n. 7).

Christ also comes to us in the present even apart from the Eucharist, through what this column once referred to as "the stable door of ordinary human experience."

Advent is a time, therefore, for redirecting our sense of expectation of the Lord's three comings away from "out there" to "right here."

We are reminded of this in the series of classic questions posed to the Lord in the parable of the sheep and the goats, "When did we see you hungry and feed you...?" (Matthew 25:37).

But Advent also reminds us that we are "coming toward" a richer and fuller future, when Christ will come again to make all things new. Seen from a different angle, there is also a "coming toward" on God's part, which is why our most fitting Advent attitude is one of hopeful expecta-tion.

"The message of Advent," this column previously declared, "is that the blessings of the Kingdom will 'come toward' us only to the extent that we 'come toward' those most in need of our love and support."

For this reason the primary spiritual challenge of the Advent season is to redirect our sense of expectation, particularly of Christ's Second Coming, from "out there" to "right here," in our ordinary daily experience when and where we encounter the neighbor or community of neighbors in need.

Indeed, Christ is to be found more often there, in these ordinary circumstances of life, than in the church's creeds, codes, and cults.

It is a lesson to be learned in Advent this year and every year, when the church bids us to begin anew along the path of Christian discipleship.

© 2009 Richard P. McBrien. All rights reserved. Fr. McBrien is the Crowley-O'Brien Professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame.

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Advent Writing Prompts: Embrace Seasonal Inspirations

My name is Debbie, and I am passionate about developing a love for the written word and planting a seed that will grow into a powerful voice that can inspire many.

1. The magic of advent: How writing prompts can capture the essence of the season

How can you make the most of seasonal writing prompts, 3. unleashing creativity: tips and tricks to make the most of advent-inspired writing prompts, 4. from cozy fireside tales to reflective musings: inspiring ideas for advent-themed writing prompts, 5. dive into the holiday spirit: engaging writing prompts that capture the magic of the season, 6. crafting heartfelt messages: using advent-inspired writing prompts for meaningful communication, 7. nurturing self-reflection: how advent writing prompts can deepen personal insight and growth, frequently asked questions, the way forward.

The Advent season is a time of anticipation and reflection, filled with joyous festivities and cherished traditions. Embrace the spirit of this magical time by exploring our Advent writing prompts that are sure to ignite your imagination and inspire your creativity. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting out, these prompts can be enjoyed by all. So grab a cozy blanket, light a scented candle, and let the seasonal inspirations carry you away.

1. Reflect on the symbolic meaning of the Advent wreath and write a heartfelt poem capturing the essence of hope, peace, love, and joy. 2. Create a short story centered around a character who discovers the true meaning of giving during the holiday season, unraveling the secrets of selflessness and compassion. 3. Describe your favorite family tradition that makes this time of year particularly special and why it holds a special place in your heart.

The Power of Writing Prompts

As the holiday season approaches, there is a certain magic in the air that is hard to ignore. One way to capture the essence of this special time is through the use of writing prompts. These prompts provide a creative outlet for individuals to express their thoughts and feelings about the season, helping to bring its magic to life. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting out, writing prompts can ignite your imagination and inspire you to create beautiful stories and poems that embody the spirit of advent.

Unleashing Your Creativity

Writing prompts are a fantastic way to tap into your creativity and explore the wonders of the holiday season. They provide a starting point, allowing your mind to wander and delve into new ideas. With a writing prompt, you can venture into various themes such as the joy of giving, the warmth of family gatherings, or the anticipation of Christmas morning. As you write, the words flow effortlessly, painting vivid pictures of snow-covered landscapes , twinkling lights, and heartwarming moments. It’s an opportunity to delve into the depths of your imagination and capture the magic and beauty of advent.

2. Spreading holiday cheer through words: Exploring the power of seasonal writing prompts

Seasonal writing prompts offer a delightful way to spread joy and cheer during the holiday season. Whether you’re an aspiring writer or someone who simply enjoys expressing their thoughts, these prompts can ignite your creativity and transport you into a world of festive imagination. By exploring the power of seasonal writing prompts, you can unlock a whole new realm of possibilities.

One of the key benefits of using seasonal writing prompts is the ability to evoke strong emotions in your readers. These prompts often tap into familiar themes and traditions associated with the holiday season, such as family gatherings, sparkling lights, and nostalgic moments. Incorporating these elements into your writing can create a sense of warmth and nostalgia, inviting your audience to relish in the holiday spirit.

• Embrace the magic: Let the festive ambiance inspire you and infuse your writing with enchantment.
• Connect on a personal level: Use your own experiences and memories to craft heartfelt narratives that resonate with readers.
• Experiment with different genres: Explore poetry, short stories, or even holiday-themed essays to discover your preferred style.
• Spread joy: Craft your words in a way that brings happiness, warmth, or laughter to those who read them.
• Emphasize gratitude: Celebrate the spirit of gratitude and reflection that often accompanies the holiday season, reminding readers of the importance of kindness, love, and appreciation.

So, as you embark on your writing journey, let seasonal writing prompts be your guiding star. Allow these prompts to transport you to a land of imagination and help you touch the hearts of others with your words.

Are you ready to let your creativity soar this holiday season? Look no further than these expert tips and tricks for making the most of advent-inspired writing prompts! Whether you’re a seasoned writer or looking to explore your artistic side, these strategies will help you tap into your imagination and produce truly remarkable pieces.

1. Embrace the element of surprise:

• Choose prompts randomly or mix them up to keep things exciting.
• Combine unexpected ideas to create unique storylines.
• Don’t overthink it—let your subconscious guide you.
• Break free from your comfort zone and experiment with different genres and writing styles.

2. Use sensory details:

• Engage your readers by incorporating vivid descriptions that appeal to their senses.
• Paint a picture with words—invite readers into a world they can see, hear, smell, taste, and touch.
• Focus on small, overlooked details that add depth and realism to your writing.
• Experiment with various literary devices such as metaphors, similes, and onomatopoeia.

Remember, writing prompts are a gateway to limitless creativity. Don’t be afraid to take risks, explore new ideas, and let your imagination roam free. Unleash your inner wordsmith and make this advent season one filled with extraordinary stories!

As the holiday season approaches, there’s no better time to immerse yourself in the beauty and wonder of advent-themed writing. Whether you’re an aspiring fiction writer or simply seeking a creative outlet, these inspiring ideas will ignite your imagination and invite you to delve into the spirit of the season.

1. Rediscover the magic : Imagine a world where Christmas decorations come to life when everyone is asleep. Write a heartwarming tale about the adventures these decorations embark on, spreading joy and camaraderie during the advent period.

2. A journey of self-discovery : Reflect on your personal experiences during the past year and craft a meaningful essay exploring the lessons you have learned or the challenges you have overcome. Share how these experiences have shaped your perspective on gratitude, hope, or the true meaning of advent.

Get ready to immerse yourself in the enchanting atmosphere of the holiday season with these captivating writing prompts. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just looking to explore your creativity, these prompts are sure to spark joy and transport you into a world full of festive magic.

1. **Winter Wonderland:** Describe your ideal winter wonderland. Close your eyes and imagine the crisp air, the sound of crunching snow beneath your feet, and the sight of glistening icicles. Let your imagination run wild and paint a vivid picture of this magical place.

2. **The Gift of Giving:** Write a heartwarming story about someone who discovers the true meaning of giving during the holiday season. Explore the joy and fulfillment they experience from selflessly helping others and how it transforms their life.

3. **Timeless Traditions:** Share the story of a unique holiday tradition that has been passed down through generations in your family. Explore its origins, the significance it holds, and the memories associated with it.

4. **A Letter to Santa:** Imagine you’re writing a letter to Santa as an adult. Express your gratitude for all the love and joy he has brought into your life over the years. Reflect on the spirit of giving and how it has shaped your perspective on the holiday season.

5. **Magical Moments:** Describe a magical moment you’ve witnessed during the holiday season. It could be a breathtaking display of lights, a cozy gathering with loved ones, or a random act of kindness that touched your heart. Captivate your readers with the warmth and wonder of this special moment.

Crafting heartfelt messages can be a beautiful way to connect with your loved ones, and what better way to inspire meaningful communication than with advent-inspired writing prompts? These prompts can help you tap into your creativity and express your emotions in a unique and heartfelt manner. Here are some ideas to get you started:

1. Reflect on cherished memories: Recall a special moment you shared with the person you’re writing to. Describe it in detail, using vivid language that transports them back to that moment. This will not only show your thoughtfulness but also remind them of the bond you share.

2. Express gratitude: Take a moment to consider the things you appreciate about the person you’re writing to. Write a sincere expression of gratitude, detailing how their presence in your life has made a positive impact. This will make them feel valued and loved.

Writing prompts have long been used as a tool for self-reflection and personal growth, but have you ever considered the power of advent writing prompts? As the holiday season approaches, these prompts can provide a unique opportunity to delve deeper into your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. By engaging in this reflective practice, you can gain a better understanding of yourself, enhance your emotional intelligence, and foster personal growth and development.

One of the key benefits of advent writing prompts is their ability to stimulate self-awareness. Each prompt serves as a catalyst for introspection, encouraging you to explore your emotions, memories, and perceptions. These prompts can prompt you to reflect on significant moments from the past year or your aspirations for the upcoming one. Through consistent practice, you may discover patterns, values, or desires that were previously hidden, allowing you to connect with your inner self on a deeper level.

• Increased mindfulness: Writing with intention and focusing on specific prompts cultivates a sense of mindfulness, helping you become more present and attuned to the nuances of your inner world.
• Improved problem-solving: Engaging in regular self-reflection through writing prompts can sharpen your critical thinking skills and enhance your ability to navigate challenges and solve problems effectively.
• Enhanced empathy: By exploring your own thoughts and emotions through advent writing prompts, you can develop a deeper understanding of others, fostering empathy and compassion in your interactions.

Ultimately, by using these advent writing prompts as a tool for self-reflection, you can embark on a journey of personal insight and growth. This practice can lead to a greater sense of self-awareness, improved emotional well-being, and a stronger connection with others. So, grab your pen and let the advent writing prompts spark your inner exploration during this holiday season.

Q: What are advent writing prompts?

A: Advent writing prompts are creative ideas or triggers that help writers find inspiration and enhance their writing during the Advent season. These prompts specifically cater to the festive and reflective themes associated with this time of year.

Q: Why should I use advent writing prompts?

A: Advent prompts can be a great way to harness the unique energy and spirit of the holiday season. They provide writers with the opportunity to explore different aspects of this time of year and delve into its deeper meanings. By using these prompts, you can infuse your writing with a sense of tradition and celebration.

Q: How can advent writing prompts enhance my creativity?

A: Advent writing prompts can open up new avenues of creativity by directing your thoughts and guiding your writing process. They offer a starting point or a stimulus for your ideas, making it easier to overcome writer’s block and jumpstart your imagination. The prompts encourage you to think beyond the surface level and explore the symbols, traditions, and emotions associated with Advent.

Q: Where can I find advent writing prompts?

A: There are various sources where you can find advent writing prompts. Many websites, blogs, and social media platforms offer curated lists of prompts specifically designed for the Advent season. You can also explore books on writing or creative writing exercises that focus on Advent themes.

Q: How can I incorporate advent writing prompts into my daily writing routine?

A: To incorporate advent writing prompts into your daily routine, set aside a specific time each day or week dedicated to writing with these prompts. You can create a dedicated notebook or digital document to collect your ideas and responses to the prompts. By making writing a regular part of your routine, you will not only enhance your creativity but also have a chance to reflect on the meaning of Advent.

Q: Can advent writing prompts be used for both personal and professional writing?

A: Absolutely! Advent writing prompts can be utilized for both personal and professional writing endeavors. Whether you’re working on a personal journal, a holiday-themed blog post, a short story, or even a marketing campaign, these prompts can infuse your writing with a unique and timely touch.

Q: Are there any specific tips for effectively using advent writing prompts?

A: One helpful tip is to choose prompts that resonate with you personally. This will make the writing experience more enjoyable and authentic. Don’t hesitate to adapt or modify the prompts to suit your needs or writing goals. Additionally, exploring different types of prompts, such as visual prompts or word association exercises, can help you discover new angles and ideas for your writing.

In conclusion, advent writing prompts offer a creative outlet to embrace the holiday season. Tap into the magic of the season and let your imagination soar!

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The Most Inspiring Questions to Ask This Advent and Christmas

• Brian J. Wright Author
• Updated Nov 18, 2019

Advent and Christmas are just around the corner. As they draw near, perhaps we should start considering a fresh approach to them for our daily devotions and small-group discussions—asking others and ourselves inspired questions. 

What are ‘Inspired Questions?’

Inspired questions are the ones already asked in God’s inspired Word. The New Testament alone contains approximately 980 questions.

These questions in the Bible are the best questions to ponder during Advent and Christmas, because they automatically draw our attention to Christ, the Scriptures, and God’s sovereign work in this world. They help us sense the presence of God in our life. They can empower us to become more sensitive to the Spirit’s moving. They reveal our hearts in ways other questions do not.

For example, recall some of the questions Jesus asked:

“Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?”  ( Matthew 6:25 ) “Why do you question these things in your hearts?” ( Mark 2:8 ) “Do you see this woman?” ( Luke 7:44 ) “Do you now believe?” ( John 16:31 )

Asking questions was a primary teaching method of Jesus. Indeed, a substantial portion of our Bible is questions.

One new way to approach Advent and Christmas this year is to ask inspired questions, focusing on the ones that coincide with Advent and Christmas—topically or within the biblical narratives. Here are some suggestions to get you started on your own list of such questions for personal reflection or small-group discussion:

1. Ask ‘Who Are You?’ ( John 1:19 )

His sole mission was to give testimony to Jesus. He wanted people to see Jesus clearly, even to the point of forsaking any personal prestige. What a remarkable example for you and others to follow this Advent and Christmas season.

Or you could pick this question that occurs only a few verses later:

2. Ask ‘What Do You Seek?’ ( John 1:38 )

This inspired question comprises the first words of Jesus in John’s gospel and clues you into several aspects of discipleship. Jesus sees those who follow Him and immediately beckons them onward. What a great start to the life-changing moment of following Jesus and having a relationship with Him!

Recall your conversion experience. Remember the joy of your salvation. Don’t forget your first love. Look entirely to Jesus this Advent and Christmas season.

Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Aaron Burden

3. Ask ‘How Can This Be?’ ( Luke 1:34 )

Or perhaps you would prefer to start with the Gospel of Luke, where Jesus’ birth was foretold. For instance, upon hearing the news that she would conceive and give birth to a son, Mary asked the angel Gabriel: “ How can this be, since I do not know a man?” ( Luke 1:34 )

You too may be justified in recognizing a very real obstacle in front of you. You may be trusting God and what He can accomplish through you, but you do still wonder what the process will look like and how God will carry it out through you.

In fact, your question might even reveal that your faith is more open to and confident in God’s supernatural power (like Mary) than that of a pastor or leader in the church (like Zechariah).

Therefore, continue talking to God in prayer this Advent and Christmas season. Keep on humbly submitting to Him and His way. Never stop trusting in His love and loving ways. Be about the work God has set out for you.

4. Ask Questions about Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love

Beyond examining specific narratives of Christ’s first coming, you could also consider picking inspired questions that connect with Advent themes of hope, peace, joy, and love. Here are just a few inspired questions to get you (all) started:

5. Ask a Question Daily throughout the Holiday Season

Once you create a list, just pick one each day to meditate on during your time alone with God, or a small handful of them for your time together with others. If you get confused by a question, reach out to a local pastor, or grab a reliable commentary or devotional, for assistance.

The good news is that help is available, and learning how to study, interpret, and apply the Bible becomes easier over time as you do it both individually and communally.

Asking Inspired Questions this Advent and Christmas Will Inspire Your Spiritual Life

All kinds of questions are good to ask. They help us learn. They encourage us to dig deeper. They personalize information.

But there is one type of question we should prioritize above all the rest: inspired ones. These are God’s questions to us, and God’s questions are calling us to respond over and over again—individually and communally.

While inspiring quotes and inspirational stories will always be popular, they rarely change lives like inspired biblical questions do. That is why adopting this new approach of asking inspired questions could be exactly what you and your small group need this Advent and Christmas season.

Do not let this most festive and refreshing time of the year get snowed under by all the hustle and bustle of commercialized Christmas. Stay focused on God. Remain in prayer. Limit the distractions. Ask and answer the questions preserved in God’s Word.

By doing so, you and your community will be encouraged, equipped, and inspired into a deeply rooted relationship with Jesus Christ this Advent and Christmas season.

[This article draws from Brian’s new 365-day devotional book, Inspired Questions: A Year’s Journey Through the New Testament ( Christian Focus, 2019).]

Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/FTiare

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Episcopal Church Foundation Vestry Papers - for leading congregations

November 16, 2022, advent resources for 2022.

As we prepare our Thanksgiving feasts and look forward to Christmas, we invite you to take the time to celebrate Advent. Advent can be a wonderful time to pause and reflect on the miracle that is to come. To help you celebrate this season, we’ve gathered a baker’s dozen of resources below. From all of us at ECF, we pray that your Advent is filled with peace, health and hopeful anticipation.

1. Find Advent and Christmas resources from The Episcopal Church here , including an updated Journeying the Way of Love Advent calendar and curriculum, weekly collects for Advent and Christmas Day, and Advent and Christmas Digital Invitation Kits. Most of their resources are also available in Spanish and French.

2. Ways to Prepare Ye is a short and practical article to help Episcopalians recognize and observe the differences between Advent and Christmas.

3. #AdventWord Join an international community of prayer this Advent season by posting a word every day and sharing with friends online. It’s a great way to engage in Advent and prepare for Christmas, all while providing an opportunity for evangelism.

4. Building Faith, a ministry of the Virginia Theological Seminary, gives us daily antiphons , reflection questions, and liturgy for Advent 2022 in both English and Spanish.

5. The Reverend Jemonde Taylor Shares Five Advent Resolutions : “Advent Resolutions, a take on New Year’s Resolutions, are opportunities to disrupt and disturb our normal way of worshiping, speaking, praying, and operating in the world.” Here the Rev. Jemonde Taylor highlights five articles from Vestry Papers for your consideration.

6. The SALT Project brings us a printable Advent calendar with differentiated pricing depending on if its for an individual or for a small, medium or large congregation.

7. The 1,000 Days of Love Advent Toolkit by Episcopal Relief and Development will help inspire you with great ideas to give back and make a difference around the world. Their Advent materials are also available in Spanish.

8. Forward Movement offers numerous resources on Advent and Christmas , including several devotionals for Advent.

9. Illustrated Children’s Ministry has some wonderful resources for families. Take a look at their various Advent activities, coloring pages, Advent paper wreaths kits and more. These aren’t just your average coloring pages, and they’re for all ages!

10. Living Well Through Advent 2022 is a seasonal guide from Living Compass to help your heart, mind, strength, and soul. Want to live more holistically? This could be an excellent resource for you! The guide is also available in Spanish.

11. Advent in a Box by Building Faith, a ministry of Virginia Theological Seminary. “Advent in a Box was designed to provide faith at home resources to support, love, and connect families where and when they need it most.” Building Faith also offers Recursos para el Adviento in Spanish.

12. Journeying the Way of Love Advent Curriculum : The Episcopal Church has produced this four-week curriculum that moves through the first two chapters of the Gospel of Luke. It’s perfect for use during your Christian Formation hour before or after church and can be used by small or large groups.

13. Praying in Color Advent Calendar Templates by Sybil MacBeth help free-spirited individuals pray for their friends and loved ones. It’s also a fun way to engage children in creating meaningful prayers throughout Advent.

Wishing you a blessed Advent season!

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Editor’s Pick: Advent Devotionals for Your Family

More By Andrew Spencer

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. The overly cheerful music blasting over the store speakers won’t let us forget that, though all we came in for was a bar of soap.

Our schedules fill up with school concerts, church events, and parties at work. The press of decorating, cooking, finding the ugliest sweater, and looking for meaningful gifts gets to all of us—even those who most strongly dislike the commercialized rush of the Christmas season.

How do we keep our focus on the incarnation? How do we use this season to teach our children the truths of the faith amid a flood of commercialism? How do we resist the pressures of the season?

One way is to set aside time for individual or family worship that’s structured around the traditional Advent calendar. Here are several resources to help keep your focus on the Savior who came so long ago and has promised he’s coming again.

The Weary World Rejoices

Melissa kruger.

For generations, churches and families have used Advent wreaths to help prepare for celebrating the Lord’s birth at Christmas. The evergreen wreath symbolizes eternal life and includes four candles―typically three purple and one pink, with a white candle in the middle that symbolizes the purity of Christ. Various traditions assign different topics to each candle, and the candles are usually given names to remind us of the good news of Christ’s birth.

1. The Weary World Rejoices edited by Melissa Kruger (TGC)

Many churches and families use Advent wreaths to help prepare for celebrating the Lord’s birth at Christmas. The evergreen wreath symbolizes eternal life and includes four candles—typically three purple and one pink, with a white candle in the middle that symbolizes the purity of Christ.

The Gospel Coalition’s editorial team wrote 25 devotional readings using the Advent wreath to focus hearts and minds on Christ during the Christmas season. These reflections are brief but encouraging, suitable for a busy family or individual. They’re structured around traditional Advent themes—hope, peace, joy, love, and faith. Each reading will help in celebrating Christ’s first coming while longing for his second. (Read sample devotionals from Melissa Kruger , Brett McCracken , and others .)

2. Journey to Bethlehem: A Treasury of Classic Christmas Devotionals edited by Leland Ryken (Crossway)

What did Isaac Watts, John Donne, and Augustine of Hippo have to say about Christmas?

In Journey to Bethlehem , noted literary scholar Leland Ryken collects readings from classic Advent hymns, sermons, and poems. Each of the 30 readings is accompanied by an explanation from Ryken, a devotional summary, and a Scripture reading that illuminates the theme of the reading.

Each of the readings in this volume stands alone, as Ryken reminds readers in the introduction. So it doesn’t matter if you miss a day, use it intermittently in a group setting, or follow a regular daily plan in the home. The quality of the readings feeds the soul, connecting contemporary readers to earlier generations’ celebrations of Christ’s incarnation. This resource is best suited for individuals or for families with older children.

3. Wonders of His Love: Finding Jesus in Isaiah by Champ Thornton (New Growth Press)

Champ Thornton, author of  The Radical Book for Kids , wrote an Advent devotional geared for families with lower elementary children. With four weeks of brief devotionals for five days a week and one specifically for Christmas Day, this is an ideal resource for families on the go.

The daily readings make connections between Isaiah’s predictions of the Messiah and the fulfillment of those promises found in the Gospels. Each week has an easy craft to create a paper ornament and several other simple activities like cookie baking, a ring toss, scavenger hunts, or suggested opportunities to serve others.

4. O Come, O Come Emmanuel by Jonathan Gibson (Crossway)

For those seeking to add a stronger liturgical focus to their Advent season, Jonathan Gibson’s book O Come, O Come Emmanuel offers a full-service resource. The book has 40 readings, scheduled to begin on November 28 and conclude on January 6, which is the date of Epiphany on the church calendar .

Each day has a meditation from a figure from church history, a call to worship, hymns, multiple Scripture readings and prayers, a creedal focus, and a catechism question. This resource is ideal for those who want to slow down and focus on spiritual formation during the Advent season. The plentiful elements could also be used selectively based on available time .

5. The Advent Jesse Tree by Dean Lambert Smith (Abingdon)

There are a number of useful books for incorporating the Jesse Tree into family devotions. The tradition stems from the messianic prediction in Isaiah 11:1: “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.” The daily reading of a selected passage of Scripture along with the visual reminder of an ornament with a symbol on it move from creation to Christ. This tradition is a great way to rehearse the grand narrative of Scripture every year, especially for families with children.

Lambert’s book offers suggestions for how to create or find ornaments to represent each day of the Advent celebration. It also has illustrations that can be used by those who haven’t had time to make or buy their own ornaments. Each day includes a Scripture reading, suggested hymns, two versions of the daily devotional (one for adults and one for children), and a prayer. The Advent Jesse Tree is a trusted resource that can become a part of the Christmas season for generations.

Bonus Recommendation: The King of Christmas by Todd Hains and Natasha Kennedy (Lexham Press)

This isn’t a devotional book, but for families with young children, this picture book is bound to be a favorite for the Advent season. The colorful illustrations leap off the page. The simple text follows the wise men on their journey to find the King of Christmas. He’s not found in the sky, the water, the palace, the throne, or the market. Instead, the King of Christmas is found in the manger.

A connection to the usual Christmas story, with Jesus being found in an unlikely place, would have been enough for some. However, this book also reminds children that the same King of Christmas was once found on the cross. He can now be found in God’s Word and among God’s people. This brings home the message that the baby in the manger is the same as the man who left the tomb empty, connecting the incarnation to the atonement for the little ones among us.

Andrew Spencer (PhD, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary) serves as associate editor for books at The Gospel Coalition. He is the author of Hope for God’s Creation: Stewardship in an Age of Futility and Doctrine in Shades of Green: Theological Perspective for Environmental Ethics , editor of The Christian Mind of C. S. Lewis: Essays in Honor of Michael Travers , and a contributor to Baptist Political Theology . Spencer is an elder at CrossPointe Church . He and his wife, Jennifer, have three children and live in southeast Michigan.

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Advent calendars have nothing to do with Christmas

Sugarfina's first-ever Advent calendar features 24 drawers each with four individual pieces of candy like Fuji Apple Caramels, Gingerbread Cookie Bites, Sparkle Pops and more; Credit: Sugarfina

A Christmas catalog came from Macy’s the other day. I leafed through it idly. Nearly at the end was a page of Advent calendars. Among them, posing before her namesake calendar, was Barbie, the fashion doll.

What next? Two other calendars also struck me as tacky, both pushing cosmetics.

Secular Advent calendars are not new, but this assortment hit a new low.

“The countdown is on,” said the peppy ad copy. “Time to get your Advent cal. Candy, crafts or cosmetics?”

Advent cal. Really?

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Growing up, we had Advent calendars, but they were gentle things, always about Jesus, with a Bible verse perhaps, a short prayer or a picture. My sisters and I would pry open the little window and read the message. Our mother would talk with us about what it said, what it meant.

Advent is the season of preparation for Christmas, one of the major holy days for Christians. This year it starts on Dec. 3. Advent is supposed to be a spiritual time.

I am not complaining that “they” took the Christ out of Christmas, but now it seems “they” have taken the Christmas out of Advent calendars. Only one on that page had the word Christmas on it, a craft calendar for kids.

The history of Advent calendars goes back to the 1850s, according to my AI search, and they came from Germany. As far as I know, they were always intended for children, whose anticipation of Santa Claus needed to be tempered with a reminder of the deeper meaning of the season.

The Barbie one comes with a doll and costs $27.19 with a coupon, $39.99 if not. I think that's a good deal. I saw the Barbie movie, with my two sisters. We liked it. I took a photo of the calendar and sent it to my sisters. One wrote back that she would never have thought of a Barbie Advent calendar. She added the palms-up emoji.

The emphasis is on fashion. What do Barbie and her fashions have to do with Christmas? Oh, I see, for a child, it’s nice to get a new doll and some outfits. And they’ll be asking for Barbie items for Christmas, I suppose. It’s marketing. At least the doll shown has a darker skin tone. Inclusive Barbie. Fine. Just don't call it an Advent calendar. Maybe it was a brilliant idea. Perhaps the person who suggested it got a bonus. Maybe sales will go through the roof.

Next to Barbie, a Benefits Cosmetics calendar is described as an “All I Want 25-day Advent calendar.” With coupon, $126.85, regularly $149. All I want? Is that the Christmas spirit? Three products are shown. I could make out the word "Pore" on two of them. All I want is for my pores to shrink, I guess.

Dominating the Advent calendar page is one Created for Macy’s, it says, called 25 Days of Beauty. That one is priced at $84.15, regularly $99. The accompanying photo shows an array of beauty products from different manufacturers. Various tubes and creams bear print too small to figure out, even with a magnifying glass. One tube, though, unmistakably yells out BETTER THAN SEX.

What the …? And, what is that product?

I wish I could have seen the meetings where these calendars were pitched. Did anyone mention the word “inappropriate”?

If you want new clothes or makeup for the holidays, go for it. But don't make an Advent calendar out of it.

This guest essay reflects the views of Long Island native Barbara Murray, a former journalist and retired inspector with the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection.

This guest essay reflects the views of XXX

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