Our HPC Advent Calendar
The tradition of Advent calendars dates back to the mid 19th century, when German Protestants made chalk marks on doors or lit candles to count the days leading up to Christmas. The first printed Advent calendar was produced in the early 1900’s. Advent calendars typically don’t strictly follow the period of Advent. Instead, they begin on December 1 and mark the 24 days before Christmas.
Today, most Advent calendars include paper doors that open to reveal an image, Bible verse, or possibly a piece of chocolate. But they have also become a Christmas commercial extra and could just as likely have pictures of dinosaurs behind the paper doors or luxury items.
As Christians we believe that Advent is a time of preparation as we wait to celebrate on Christmas Day the coming of Jesus into the world, God incarnate, and the hope that he brings.
2020 has been a particularly challenging year and our own Hampstead Parish Church version of an Advent calendar seemed appropriate. Each day has a challenge that different people are facing and an opportunity that each of us has to to respond and to demonstrate the love of Jesus. We wanted each reflection to represent challenges in our community right now as we wait in hope for the Light of the World to come. Bubble Church will also be adding their voices to some of the posters.
Sarah Cheriton-Jones has designed a beautiful set of posters incorporating the challenge and opportunity for each day, with an image and the Church of England theme for Advent 2020 – ‘Comfort and Joy’.
Each day a new poster will go up on the railings of the Additional Burial Ground and a smaller version will go up on a notice board in church. And each image will be posted on the church website, our Facebook page and on Instagram and Twitter.