Advent Calendar Tutorial

8/8/2019 Advent Calendar Tutorial

1/29

Advent Calendar Tutorial

This advent calendar is patterned after one I borrowed from a friend, and her devotionals that

accompany it were written by someone in the Lutheran church, I believe. I hope this tutorial

makes sense!

Items you will need:

About a yard of felt for the wall hanging

Sheets of felt in the appropriate colors for your pockets

Thread Sewing Machine

Scissors

Straight pins

Small dowel rod ( x 12)

Ribbon to hang the calendar (I used ribbon)

Elmers Glue

Hot glue gun and glue sticks

Small safety pins

Tracing paper (optional)

1. First, cut out the wall hanging from your yard of felt. Mine is about 9 x 32.

2. Fold over the top edge about 1 and sew a seam to create the opening for the dowel rod.

3. Cut out your 25 pockets. They should be 2x 2 squares.4. Cut out your letters. My husband actually eyeballed these from our example calendar. If you

dont feel comfortable doing this, you could always print off the letters from Microsoft Word

and trace them on tracing paper, cut them out, pin them on the felt, and cut them out thatway. Or Im sure you could purchase some adhesive lettering. Its up to you.


2/29


3/29

5. Position your letters on the large piece of felt and glue them on using Elmers Glue.

6. Position your pockets onto the large piece of felt (four in each row, and then one centered atthe bottom) and pin them on.

7. Sew your pockets on. Sew only the sides and the bottom, leaving the top open to insert your

symbols.8. Cut out your symbols. I have provided below a picture of the symbols I used with the

devotional that goes with each one. You can do these or whatever you want.

9. After cutting out your symbols, you will need to glue them together as many of them havemultiple pieces. I used Elmers glue for this. Allow them to dry really well.

10. After the symbols have dried, use a hot glue gun to glue the safety pins to the backs of the

symbols. Glue the stable side of the safety pin to the back of the symbol. Allow them to dry.11. Once the symbols are completely dry, place them in the appropriate pockets (following the

order of the devotionals).12. Insert the dowel rod through the top opening of the hanging, and tie a ribbon of your desired

length to each end, securing with a knot (you could hot glue this too if you dont feel it issecure enough).


4/29

13. Youre done!!!

On the following pages, you will find a picture of each symbol in order with the accompanying

devotional. Feel free to choose your own prayers or songs. This is exactly what I was given; it

will not fit in all traditions.


5/29

December 1st

Behold, your King is coming to you. Matthew 21:5Advent means coming. Long before Jesus was born, Gods people were waiting for Him

to come. We wait for Him to come toointo our hearts, our homes, our lives.

We know we are sinful, and we must be sorry for that. The color of our symbol is violet, the

color symbolic of repentance. The shape is that of a cross to remind us of our need for a Savior.

Jesus will come again, and we wait for His second coming with hope and peace and joy

because it will mean a joyous reunion in heaven for us.

Prayer: Come, Lord Jesus. AmenHymn: In the cross of Christ I glory,

Towering oer the wrecks of time.All the light of sacred story

Gathers round its head sublime.


6/29

December 2nd

For you who fear My name the Sun of Righteousness shallrise. Malachi 4:2

Todays symbol is a bright yellow sun. Jesus is our Sun of Righteousness. As the worldfollows the course of the planets in their movements, we who are Gods people follow the course

of our Lord Jesus. He is our guiding Star, giving us light for our way, leading us to a life of

obedience toward God and peace in Him.

Prayer: Guide us, O great Jehovah. Amen.

Hymn: Hail, the heavenly Prince of Peace!Hail the Sun of Righteousness!

Light and life to all He brings,

Risen with healing in His wings.Mild He leaves His throne on high,

Born that man no more may die;

Born to raise the sons of earth;

Born to give them second birth.Hark! The herald angels sing,

Glory to the newborn King!


7/29

December 3rdThe day shall dawn upon us from on highto guide our feet into the way of peace. Luke 1:78-

79

A dove is the common symbol of peace. To us Christians it is also a symbol of the Holy

Spirit. He brings us a special kind of peacepeace with God. This is the peace of knowing God

loves us so much that He sent His only begotten Son that through faith in Him we have eternallife.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, fill our hearts with peace. Amen.

Hymn: Grant us Thy peace throughout our earthly life,

Our Balm in sorrow and our Stay in strife;

Then, when Thy voice shall bid our conflict cease,Call us, O Lord, to Thine eternal peace.


8/29

December 4th

The peace of Godpasses all understanding. Philippians4:7

The circle is a symbol of eternity, and green symbolizes life. We let it remind us that thepeace that comes from God is eternal, and we can be at peace even at the time of death, because

we await eternal life from beyond.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the precious gift of peace through Jesus Christ, your

Son. Amen.

Hymn: O little town of Bethlehem,How still we see thee lie!

Above thy deep and dreamless sleep

The silent stars go by;Yet in thy dark streets shineth

The everlasting Light;

The hopes and fears of all the yearsAre met in thee tonight.


9/29

December 5th

In Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself. 2Corinthians 5:19

Our symbol is a manger with a cross on it. We want to remember that on that sweet little babythat was laid in the manger, God laid the iniquity of us all. Jesus death on the cross was a

bridge that spanned the chasm between us and God; He reconciled us, brought peace between us

and God.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for bridging the gap that sin made between us and God. Amen.

Hymn: This is the Christ, our God and Lord,Who in all need shall aid afford;

He will Himself your Savior be,

From all your sins to set you free.

Ah, dearest Jesus, holy Child,

Make thee a bed, soft, undefiled,Within my heart that it may be

A quiet chamber kept for thee.


10/29

December 6thGlory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased! Luke

2:14

An angel is our symbol for today. Angels burst forth with triumphant song of glory to God thenight of Jesus birth, and it was they who proclaimed Gods peace to mankind. God charged our

sins to Christ, and He paid for them with His life. God still sends His holy angels to watch over

us lest we dash our foot against a stone. Now, we neednt worry but keep our minds stayed on

Him and thus have perfect peace.

Prayer: Dear God, grant us the peace of knowing that your holy angels are watching over us.

Amen.

Hymn: Angels from the realms of gloryWing your flight oer all the earth;

Ye who sang creations story,

Now proclaim Messiahs birth:Come and worship,

Come and worship,

Worship Christ, the newborn King.


11/29

December 7th

Now you are light in the Lord, walk as children of light. Ephesians 5:8

God loves us so much He sent His only Son to be our Savior from the darkness of sin and giveus the light of eternal life. The candles flame reminds us of the light of faith the Holy Spirit

keeps alive in our hearts, which will lead us on the path to our heavenly goal and may show

others the way.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, help us to let our light of faith shine brightly, so that others may see Godslove and be brought closer to Christ. Amen.

Hymn: O Lord, how shall I meet Thee,

How welcome Thee aright?

Thy people long to greet Thee,My hope, my hearts Delight!

Oh, kindle, Lord most high,

Thy lamp within my breastTo do in spirit lowly

All that may please Thee best.


12/29

December 8th

We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for goodworks. Ephesians 2:10

God proves His love for us in so many ways. He gives us life. He gives us all creation. Thehand is the symbol of our heavenly Creator. We were not created to live in terror and hatred and

darkness. God proved His love again by sending His Son to save us from these sin-caused

things, so that we could live in the peace, the hope, and the joy of His love and know thehappiness of living a life pleasing to Him.

Prayer: O Creator, create in me a clean heart. Amen.

Hymn: Take my life and let it be

Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;

Take my moments and my days,Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my love, my Lord, I pourAt Thy Feet its treasure store:

Take myself, and I will beEver, only, all for Thee.


13/29

December 9th

We have come to worship Him. Matthew 2:2Shepherds and wise men alike came to worship the Christ child. Though his earthly throne

was a lowly manger and His palace, the humble home of a carpenter; though throughout Hisearthly ministry He had not a place to lay His head, He was, is, and will forever be our Lord

and King. The gold crown symbolizes faith in our King of kings, with jewels of white for His

perfect righteousness, red for His great love and His innocent blood shed for our salvation, andgreen for eternal life, which is ours through Him.

Prayer: O, King of kings, Your kingdom come. Amen.

Hymn: Oh, come all ye faithful, triumphantly sing:

Come, see in the manger our Savior and King!

To Bethlehem hasten with joyful accord;Oh, come, let us adore Him,

Oh, come, let us adore Him,

Oh, come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!


14/29

December 10th

They offered him gifts. Matthew 2:11The wise men offered gifts to the Christ child out of joy and thankfulness that He was their

Savior. The baby Jesus is no longer bodily with us, so we cannot personally present Him withgifts, but He promises us that whatever we do to the least of His people, we do to Him. He wants

us to love one another, and in so doing, we show our love to Him.

Prayer: May all our gifts, Lord Jesus, be given out of love for you. Amen.

Hymn: As they offered gifts most rareAt thy cradle, rude and bare,

So may we with holy joy,

Pure and free from sins alloy,

All our costliest treasures bring,Christ, to Thee, our heavenly King!


15/29

December 11th

If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or aclanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers and understand all mysteries and all

knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If

I give away all I have, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not

insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong but rejoices in

the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Lovenever endsso faith, hope, love abide, these three, but the greatest of these is love. 1Corinthians 13:1-8,13

Prayer: Loving Father in heaven, help us to live our lives with loving hearts. Amen.

Hymn: Love Divine, all love excelling,

Joy of heaven, to earth come down!Fix in us Thy humble dwelling,

All thy faithful mercies crown.

Jesus, thou are all compassion,

Pure, unbounded love, thou art;Visit us with Thy salvation,

Enter every trembling heart.


16/29

December 12th

Walk in love as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice toGod. Ephesians 5:2

Among our gifts of love at Christmas are sometimes perfumes and colognes. People likesweet-smelling odors. The wise men brought frankincense, a costly incense, as a gift to Jesus.

This was their way of showing love. It was an act of worship and adoration. Our symbol is a

perfume bottle. May it remind us to be so filled with Spirit of Jesus that we give off thefragrance of His quality of life and love.

Prayer: Lord, let our prayers be counted as incense before you. Amen.

Hymn: Savior, thy dying love thou gavest me;

Nor should I aught withhold, Dear Lord, from Thee.

In love my soul would bow, My heart fulfill its vow,Some offering bring thee now, something for thee.

All that I am and have, thy gifts so free,

In joy, in grief, through life, Dear Lord, for Thee!And when thy face I see, my ransomed soul shall be

Through all eternity, something for thee.


17/29

December 13th

Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

The symbol of the circle reminds us that love is eternal and that perfect love comes from

our eternal God. It was Christs perfect love that compelled Him to shed His blood and lay downHis life for us. The background of white symbolizes the holiness of Jesus. Though the sins of

all mankind were laid on Him, He Himself was holy and lived a life of perfect righteousness for

us.Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for your perfect life and perfect love. Amen.

Hymn: Abide, O faithful Savior,Among us with Thy love;

Grant steadfastness, and help us,

To reach our home above.


18/29

December 14th

Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty firmament! Praise Himfor His mighty deeds; praise Him according to His exceeding greatness! Praise Him with

trumpet sound; praise Him with lute and harp! Praise Him with timbrel and dance; praise Him

with strings and pipe! Praise Him with sounding cymbals; praise Him with loud clashingcymbals! Let everything that breathes praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Psalm 150

The music note reminds us to praise the God of our salvation.Prayer: O Lord, let the whole earth sound forth with Your praises. Amen.

Hymn: Oh, for a thousand tongues to singMy great Redeemers praise,

The glories of my God and King,

The triumphs of His grace!


19/29

December 15th

I will place on His shoulder the key of the house of David; He shall open, and none shall shut;and He shall shut, and none shall open. Isaiah 22:22

Jesus is our key to joy. He opened the door to heaven for us, where we will live in thefullness of joy. Thus he opened the door to true joy for us here on earth because we live in the

blessed hope of heaven.

Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, for opening heaven to us. Amen.

Hymn: Oh, come, thou key of David, come;

And open wide our heavenly home;Make safe the way that leads on high,

And close the path to misery.

Rejoice! Rejoice! EmmanuelShall come to thee, O Israel.


20/29

December 16th

Rejoice in the Lord always. Philippians 4:4

One mark of a Christian is joy. The symbol again is the circle because true joy is eternal

and comes as a gracious gift from our eternal God. True joy is ours because we are at peace withGod and because we know His love and live in the hope of eternal life.

Prayer: Grant to us, dear God, true joy. Amen.Hymn: Now sing we, now rejoice,

Now raise to heaven our voice;

He from whom joy streamethPoor in a manger lies;

Not so brightly beameth

The sun in yonder skies.Thou my Savior art!

Thou my Savior art!

Oh, where shall joy be found?Where but on heavenly ground?

Where the angels singing

With all His saints unite,Sweetest praises bringing

In heavenly joy and light

Oh, that we were there!Oh, that we were there!


21/29

December 17th

I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10

A Christmas tree has much symbolism that reminds us of God and His Christmas gifts to

us. Its general shape is that of a triangle, symbolic of the triune God. It is green, symbolic oflife. Through Gods son, we have new life here on earth and look forward to eternal life in

heaven. The ornamented tree creates an air of joy in our homes. As our lives are filled with the

joy of knowing Christ, the more fully we realize the abundance of life our Savior creates for us.Prayer: Dear Savior, as the tinsel on a Christmas tree reflects its lights, make our lives a

reflection of true joy that comes from you. Amen.

Hymn: O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,

You come from God eternal.

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,You come from God eternal.

A symbol of the Lord of love

Whom God to man sent from above.

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,You come from God eternal.


22/29

December 18th

Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth; sing the glory of His name; give to Him gloriouspraise! Psalm 66:1

As a bell rings out its happy sound compelling people to come where it is, so weChristians sing out in praise of our God, whose love draws us to Himself and who will at last

have us come where He is.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, hasten the day when we will come to you and sing your praisesforevermore. Amen.

Hymn: Hark the glad sound! The Savior comes,The Savior promised long;

Let every heart prepare a throne

And every voice a song.

Our glad hosannas, Prince of Peace,

Thy welcome shall proclaim

And heavens eternal arches ringWith Thy beloved name.


23/29

December 19th

Restore to me the joy of thy salvation. Psalm 51:12

Beautiful things bring joy! The poinsettia, a traditional Christmas flower, is a joy to

behold with green leaves rising on a stem to mysteriously burst forth in glorious red. Thegreatest joy for us Christians to behold is the salvation brought about for us by Christ. His

beautiful, life-filled years suddenly burst forth with the shedding of his precious bloodin our

stead! So great was His beautiful love for us!Prayer: Holy Spirit, fill us with joy in the knowledge that Jesus blood set us free from the

bondage and terrors of sin. Amen.

Hymn: Beautiful Savior, King of Creation,

Son of God, and Son of Man!

Truly Id love thee, truly Id serve thee,Light of my soul, my joy, my crown.

Beautiful Savior, Lord of the nations,

Son of God, and Son of Man!Glory and honor, praise, adoration

Now and forevermore be Thine!


24/29

December 20th

I bring you good news of great joy which will come to all the people. Luke 2:10

The various colors of this symbol represent the many races of people on our earth. All of

them, no matter what their color or nationality, age, sex, or walk of life, are those for whom theSavior came into the world. The joy we know as Christians is for all people. When we shake off

our prejudices and share our joy of knowing Christ with others, our joy becomes even more full.

Prayer: Lord, forgive our selfishness. Amen.

Hymn: From heaven above to earth I come

To bear good news to every homeGlad tidings of great joy I bring

Whereof I now will say and sing.

To you this night is born a child

Of Mary, chosen virgin child

This little child, of lowly birth

Shall be the joy of all the earth.


25/29

December 21st

O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting? Thanks be to God, who gives us thevictory through our Lord Jesus Christ! --1 Corinthians 15:55, 57

A wreath is sometimes awarded to a victor, the winner in a competition. We use thewreath at Christmastime when we celebrate the coming of the greatest victor the world has ever

known, Jesus Christ, the Savior! The circle made by the wreath reminds us that this victor, who

became a true man, was at the same time the true and eternal God. The wreaths greenerysymbolizes the eternal life he won for us.

Prayer: Thank you, God, for victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Hymn: It was a strange and dreadful strife

When life and death contended

The victory remained with LifeThe reign of death was ended.

Holy Scripture plainly saith

That death is swallowed up by death

His sting is lost foreverHallelujah!


26/29

December 22nd

You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake hebecame poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9

The symbols dark arrow points downwardJesus came from his heavenly throne, richin glory, to this earth so black with sin. The white arrow points upwardbecause Jesus came

down to our lowliness, we are raised up to a new life of peace with God and joy of salvation and

hope for a rich and glorious life with him in heaven.Prayer: We life up grateful hearts to you, dear Jesus, for coming down to earth so that we can go

to heaven. Amen.

Hymn: Let us all with gladsome voice

Praise the God of heaven

Who to bid our hearts rejoiceHis own Son hath given.

We are rich, for he was poor

Is not this a wonder?Therefore, praise God evermore

Here on earth and yonder.


27/29

December 23rd

We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul. Hebrews 6:19

AS an anchor holds up a ship firm against the storm, so Christ is our anchor of hope in

life. Through storm or calm we are kept firm in faith, encouraged by our faithful andunchanging God to look forward with hope to eternal life made secure for us by Christs death

and resurrection.

Prayer: O Lord, keep us steadfast in the faith to the end that by your grace we may come toeverlasting life. Amen.

Hymn: Jesus, Savior, pilot meOver lifes tempestuous sea

Unknown waves before me roll

Hiding rock and treacherous shoalChart and compass come from thee

Jesus, Savior, pilot me.

When at last I near the shoreAnd the fearful breakers roar

Twixt me and the peaceful rest

Then, while leaning on thy breastMay I hear thee say to me

Fear not, I will pilot thee.


28/29

December 24th

I am the Good Shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:11

The symbol of the lamb and the shepherds staff reminds us of the shepherds of the fields

near Bethlehem who were the first people to receive the good news of Jesus birth. We arereminded, too, that Jesus is our Good Shepherd, who makes us lie down in green pastures, leads

us beside quiet waters, and who rod and staff comfort us. The Good Shepherd gave his life for

us, his sheep and lambs, that we may live.Prayer: Good Shepherd, keep us always in your flock. Amen.

Hymn: I am Jesus little lambEver glad at heart I am

For my Shepherd gently guides me

Knows my needs, and well provides meLoves me every day the same

Even calls me by my name.

Day by day, at home, awayJesus is my Staff and Stay

When I hunger, Jesus feeds me

Into pleasant pastures leads meWhen I thirst, he bids me go

Where the quiet waters flow.


29/29

December 25th

Lo, the star which they had seen in the east went before them. Matthew 2:9

The wise men followed the star because they hoped it would lead them where they

wanted to go. It did. We have hope in Jesus. Let us always follow Him!

Prayer: O Jesus, our bright and shining star, lead us to eternal life. Amen.

Hymn: Jesus, lead thou on til our rest is won

And although the way be cheerless

We will follow calm and fearless

Guide us by thy hand to our fatherland.

When we seek relief from a longfelt grief

When temptations come alluringMake us patient and enduring

Show us that bright shore where we weep no more.

Jesus, lead thou on til our rest is wonHeavenly Leader, still direct us

Still support, control, protect us

Til we safely stand in our fatherland.

Advent Calendar Tutorial

Documents

Transcript of Advent Calendar Tutorial