Geoff W. Sutton Blog: Reverse Advent Calendar Expressing Gratitude and Generosity

I first learned about a Reverse Advent Calendar from English friends who were collecting items for a local charity. There are several helpful sites online, which offer ideas on how to create your own calendar.

The idea is to help children approach Christmas with an attitude of giving rather than getting. Of course, the lesson is important for adults as well.

Families can do something as simple as putting a pound or dollar (or more) in a container each day, which will be donated to a local food pantry or other community charity at the end of December.

Another approach is to place food items or clothes in baskets for each day leading up to Christmas and donate them to a charity.

Another suggestion is to organise four bags or baskets to hold items related to nativity themes as suggested by https://buildfaith.org/reverse-advent/. The themes focus on the newborn Jesus and his need for food, warmth, care for the parents and care for the newborn. These themes translate into food, clothes, toiletries, and baby items.

Likely some readers will have other ideas.

Engaging children in the nativity story might have better learning benefits than would simply reading the story, hearing an advent message, or watching a play.

You could meditate on frankincense and myrrh, but you could also deliver diapers, blankets, and tissues may be more useful.

The activities likely promote gratitude, generosity, and empathy, which is an aspect of love and compassion.

Read more about gratitude, generosity, and compassion in Living Well available from AMAZON