I did some research on the Internet today to find out how Advent originated. There’s no clear timeline when the ritual of Advent became popular, but it has been credited to the Catholic Church, most likely with Pope St. Gregory the Great in the 6th Century.  The practice of the Advent Calendar came later  with the German Lutherans.  The purpose of Advent is to prepare one’s heart for the coming of the Christ child.

To me, Advent is a good time to settle my heart, seek God, and prepare for Christmas.  Even though I said yesterday that the reason for the season isn’t enough for me anymore, I am enjoying the anticipation of the holidays, of time with family, and the good wishes of everyone around me.

I love Advent calendars and opening the little windows each day.  I keep one at work and often have questions what it is and why I do it.  My co-workers are curious and find it enjoyable.

There are some cool things out there for Advent this year that you might enjoy.

I have an iPad app Advent Calendar from Jacquie Lawson, plus another one by Daniel Kiefer called Advent Calendar OpenGL Effects .  The Jacquie Lawson flips a calendar page each day and does a little video of some Christmas graphics, from a bakery window filling up to a dog sliding around on the ice while a bird flies overhead.

The Kiefer calendar has a daily quote when I touch the date.  The quote from December 5 was really nice:

Like snowflakes, my Christmas memories gather and dance – each beautiful, unique and too soon gone. ~ Deborah Whipp

YouVersion Bible has a number of Bible reading plans.

Ann Voskamp, author of One Thousand Gifts, has a free downloadable Advent devotional book.  The samples look really cool (I’m waiting for my code to download it).

I took this picture ten years ago with my first digital camera.  The stitching itself is older than my daughter and was a present from my sister when we were both newly married.  I still love it and put it out each year.  Tomorrow I’ll show you some of the stitchery that I’ve given her as a gift.

Word for tomorrow – INHABIT.  If you prefer to work ahead, see the list for the week under “A Word A Day”.

Holidays Christmas Noel stitching postaday2011