A REVERSE ADVENT

An advent calendar is a special calendar used to count down the days until Christmas. The calendar typically begins on 1 December and counts down until either 24 or 25 December, depending on the specific calendar. Usually, there is a small gift to be taken each day of the countdown as the counter anticipates Christmas Day.

In recent years, reverse advent calendars have become quite popular. In this tradition, rather than taking something each day in anticipation of Christmas, the counter gives something each day. The idea is to change the focus from consumerism to generosity. You begin with an empty box and each day you put something into the box—food, toiletries, or Christmas treats—which is then given away to the needy as a Christmas hamper when the box is full.

For the next few days, I want to pick up on this theme of a reverse advent. I am not storing anything up and there will be no giveaway at the end of this, but for the next four devotions, I want to focus on four physical or bodily “comings” of Christ, but in reverse order.