Review of 2 Advent Calendars and a Window Cling (Copy)
A Review of 2 Advent Calendars and a Window Cling
by Cynthia S. Fischer
Advent calendars have become more elaborate than when I was a kid. In my day you had three choices: Santa, Snowmen, or Nativity. They had fold-back numbered squares with a picture and sometimes writing. There was no candy, chocolate, coffee capsules, Legos, or Star Wars involved. All that to say that parents and churches today have to be intentional if their goal is to create a sense of waiting expectantly for the coming of the Christ child via an Advent Calendar.
The two featured here remind me of my childhood calendars. They have slight drawbacks, but they have a lot going for them including affordability. They are $3.99, are produced by Vermont Christmas Company, and can be found at https://www.christianbook.com/
Peaceful Nativity, above, illustrates the birth of Christ in bright and eye-catching ways. Almost all the visitors as well as Mary and Joseph face the manager, avoiding the issue of skin tones, until day 25 when Baby Jesus appears with brown hair and baby white skin. Astute observers will note that the lovely stone arched doorway and the building above it are more upscale than the biblical account. The numbered Advent windows tell the story of Christ’s birth with a picture and a quote from Scripture. Sadly the text is about .5 font. It takes a lot of light and some cheater glasses to read the words.
The second one, pictured above is titled “No Room at the Inn.” While it is not as colorful, it is far more accurate as Jesus was likely born in a cave where animals lived rather than a stable. Mary and Joseph and the shepherds look believably Middle Eastern and Jesus has brown hair, his eyes are closed, and he looks like a newborn. For being born in a cave, some of the accouterments are a bit upscale. Mary and Jesus are nicely dressed and the manager is lined with beautiful fur and cloth. The numbered flaps are similar to the first calendar and again the print seems like .5 font. Which one would I buy this for my church students? This one scores high on realism and the glitter adds a magical touch to this holiest of days. The first is compelling and absolutely beautiful. For older children I would likely buy this one, but I’d be tempted to buy the first for my two-three-year-old students because it’s captivating and colorful.
Window Clings
My two-year-old grandchildren love window clings. They plaster them on their bay window, the TV, and the blue-tongue skink’s aquarium tank. This set includes one angel, a grouping of shepherds, two of the wise men, one of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus, various small animals, stars, and some words. The stable seems a bit unwieldy as it’s one piece connected by a narrow arch. As window clings have a short life, it may work unless your little person gets easily frustrated. A pair of scissors and some architectural adjustments may solve the problem, but don’t let your friend see you do this, otherwise you’ll have a meltdown. Window clings are like that so I’d only buy this if your young person can manage them. Would I buy it? Sure. It’s cute and allows preschoolers to retell the story of Jesus’ birth. And in the end, you won’t have to store it. Found at https://www.christianbook.com/ for $3.49