S2: E65 Teacher Advent Countdown Calendar

Season Two
Episode 65
Teacher Advent Countdown Calendar

You’ve probably seen different advent calendars in stores or online. Most Advent Calendars are dated from December 1-24.  Some have chocolates in each daily box or a lego piece for each day that adds to a small set at the end. Some can be created with cards or envelopes. According to an article from Mental Floss, this tradition began in the mid-1800s when German Protestants made chalk marks on doors or lit candles to count the days leading up to Christmas.  It was then further continued to be brought to others through production of calendars and then Dwight D. Eisenhower was pictured opening an advent calendar with his grandchildren.

Advent itself means ‘coming’ and is the anticipation of Jesus’ birth and also of His second coming.  In church services during the four weeks prior to Christmas focus on the themes of Hope, Preparation, Joy and Love.  In anticipation of celebrating all that Jesus has done for us and celebrating His birth, creating a daily advent countdown calendar that incorporates giving (time, money, energy), time with others, and holiday events can be a meaningful way to enjoy the season.

And kindness is always in season.  There is always a way to be kind to others and one of the ways our family has enjoyed doing this is during the month of December.  It’s looked differently depending on the year, but each December I enjoy taking time for simple joys and I’ve incorporated it into my classroom as well as with my advisory students.  Setting out to find ways to bring extra kindness to others at my school and set out intentionally to show gratitude and help in different ways can make a difference in our attitudes when things are frenzied and it can bring focus to crazy days.  

The inspiration for creating a tradition surrounding an advent ‘acts of kindness’ calendar began several years ago with inspiration from our former music pastors, Aubrey and Jen McGowan.  They began a type of advent-countdown where each day they would do a simple act of kindness with their family. They posted about each day and what they were choosing to do. And they didn’t do this for attention - it was truly to be kind and generous and show Christ’s love to others during this season.  It can be easy to be fixated on what we want, finding all the right gifts, making it to all the parties, high expectations for family get-togethers, and overall cramming our lives full as we head towards Christmas Day. I love setting intentional time aside at the start of the month and even the start of the week to look outside our family and outside myself to make this season special for others in meaningful ways.  

I’m going to share some ideas of how you can incorporate a simple, meaningful advent calendar into your schedule this month and there’s a link to the calendar in the show notes.  I’ll break down ideas for what you can do individually, as a family, and with your students. If you can’t do this daily, then choose a few that you’d like to do and put it into your planner or write down the ideas.  So here are a few:

Individually:  

• Write notes to coworkers or send an email and/or text
• Perform a duty for one of your coworkers (do their lunch duty or carpool duty)
• Open the paper drawers in all of the copiers and fill them with paper so they’re ready for the next person
• Host a sing-a-long of Christmas and holiday favorites in your room after school one day
• Bake your favorite dessert and put it in the teacher’s lounge for others to enjoy
• Meet up with a friend or coworker and pay for their coffee or meal
• Do something special for your kids or your husband 

Family:

• Donate to Heifer international or another charity

We’ve loved participating with Heifer International through giving over the years.  This organization provides livestock and training to help get individuals and communities off the ground in being able to sustain their lives. They help with clean water, growing food, and helping others continue to provide better living situations for their families.  Their website explains it best when it states that “We’re on a mission to end hunger and poverty in a sustainable way by supporting and investing alongside local farmers and their communities.”  

If you have an organization that you are passionate about, donate to them.  If you have time to invest in being the boots on the ground and serving, do that.  If you have a local charity you can get involved with, do that. I’m sharing the ones that our family has been involved with, but there are many that provide wonderful services.

• Bake for neighbors/family
• Caroling with friends
• Put carts back from around parking lots (Walmart/Meijer)
• Watch a Christmas movie together
• Put $$ on an account for another student - allow the food services staff to determine which student could benefit from a donation 
• Put quarters taped to vending machines at school
• Get coffee or tea to crossing guards and bus drivers
• Find friends who are in need of joy - (surgeries/struggles) - get flowers and candy or something that they love - simple!  
• Bring dinner to a family
• Read the Christmas story from the Bible as a family
• Sing Christmas songs together

With Students:

My friend Julieta and I set up a 12 Days of Christmas calendar for our advisories last year.  Each day we set up something for us to do with our students around the campus. A few ideas:

• Caroling around the school
• Writing and decorating cards for our community buddies
• Making snowflakes out of paper and decorating the hallway
• Playing Christmas Song Bingo
• Decorating Christmas Cookies
• Cleaning trash up around campus
• Read Christmas books to a class

I’ve created a Teacher Advent Calendar for you to use as you want during this month.  My hope is that it will give you time for introspection, acts of kindness, events to try, family time, and a look at Jesus’ birth.  Modify, adapt, and use as you like! I’d love to hear how you celebrate Advent. Share with me on Instagram @highafternoonti spelled ti.  Happy Advent!