ADVENT CALENDAR “DOORS” OF NATURE

 “Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each.”   -Henry David Thoreau, Walden                            

At this time of year, the seasonal reshaping is well under way. In the Northwoods of Wisconsin, we are transitioning from late fall colors and lingering leaves to early morning frost and dustings of snow. The sunlight slants differently, casting longer shadows as winter approaches. I paddle up river late in the season, and admire the golden needles clinging to the boughs of the Tamarack trees, anticipating those first chilling gusts of November wind to clear their branches. It is a time of wonder. A time of anticipation and new beginnings as we approach Advent. The four weeks before Christmas.

When I was a little girl, I looked forward to every December 1^st to begin opening the little doors on my Advent calendar, 25 doors counting down the days until Christmas. This was a big thing back then and I couldn’t wait to see what the year’s calendar would be! Each opening had something different, a little saying or quote or picture to help prepare me for the coming of Christmas. My favorite Advent calendar, however, was the one that hid small chocolates behind each door – sweet treats shaped like a Christmas tree, a stocking or a bell. I’m not sure how those holiday chocolates prepared me for Christmas, but they were the BEST!

The tradition of marking the days until Christmas began in the 19^th century, when German families drew chalk lines on their doors or lit candles. The first printed calendar was done in 1908 when Gerhard Land, a German printer, was inspired by a simple cardboard Advent calendar his mom made for him. In 1920 he added the little doors and the small chocolates in the calendars began in 1926. They grew in popularity in the United States after a photograph of President Dwight Eisenhower’s grandchildren opening one was published in Newsweek in 1953. Thank goodness those chocolate calendars made it across the pond!

But like with so many other things came the commercialization of Advent calendars. Today, you can get them with coffee or tea, shortbread cookies, whiskey, cocktails, wine, beauty products, perfumes, flavored jams and on and on. You name it, you can open a door on an Advent calendar and find it! Many retailers are using Advent calendars to promote their products and introduce new ones. And with today’s technology, there are now virtual Advent calendars encouraging consumers to keep up their relentless scrolling and make on-line purchases. Sigh…does EVERYTHING need to become a marketing strategy??

A few weeks later, I paddle the same stretch of river one last time and witness the aftermath of those blustery early November winds. No more golden needles on the Tamaracks. The branches are bare now, reaching into the muted canopy of gray light. The trees are content to pause and rest, trusting the long interval until the arrival of spring and new growth.  As I paddle, I ponder this holy transition and know that we would benefit from necessary respite, too.

As part of my ongoing efforts to share the sacredness of nature, I am offering you a different Advent calendar this year. These four weeks before Christmas were originally intended as a time to pause and reflect on the beauty and wonder of the season. In today’s world, we do the opposite, beginning the Christmas shopping whirlwind well before Halloween and the Black Friday events. And don’t forget to watch for the epic deals coming your way through the retailer’s doors of the Advent calendar!

Pause? Not so much.

I am inviting you to open the Advent “doors” of Nature. Every other day, beginning December 1^st, you will receive a very short Nature reflection with a picture and insights. As the holiday season ramps up, we spend less time in nature and more time shopping, decorating, wrapping presents, cooking and being non-stop busy.  Let’s pause together, open the Advent “doors” and take a few minutes to let Nature be our touchstone.

We will start with a butterfly, a small wonder of Nature and work our way toward a wider view. As we expand our vision, we come to see that so many of the “little things” that may trouble us during this holiday season are merely insignificant annoyances. In the wider view of our earth and all of Nature’s gifts in this gift-giving season, let’s take a moment to pause and focus on what really matters.

It is not the color of the gift bag, whether we bake reindeer or Christmas tree shaped cookies, whether so and so did or did not invite us to a gathering, who sent us a holiday card or did we buy a person the perfect gift.

What is relevant during Advent, and always, are the gifts of HOPE, PEACE, LOVE AND JOY, the themes of this season of reflection. It is my hope that by opening the Advent “doors” of Nature and broadening our horizons, we may open our hearts, too. Get ready! Epic gifts are coming your way through the Advent calendar “doors” of Nature!

Life is precious and time is short. Let us live each day of this season in HOPE, PEACE, LOVE AND JOY. Wishing you these gifts today and every day. Have a wonderful holiday season!

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What was your favorite Advent calendar if you had one?

What Nature photo would you put in your Advent calendar door?

What is the best time of day for you to pause and reflect? Promise yourself that time this season.