Advent: Is an Advent Calendar Religious?

An advent calendar is a way to count down from December 1 to December 24 or 25. This is a different time period than the Christian religious season of Advent which starts four Sundays before Christmas (potentially in November) and goes through December 24. 

This difference in dates indicates that Advent calendars are not part of the traditional Christian observance of the Advent season.

It appears that the Advent calendar began in Germany in the mid-1800s. Commercial calendars with pictures or Bible verses behind the doors were popular in the early-mid 1900s. In the mid-late 1900s, small chocolate was put behind the doors. Today, a Google search for “advent calendar” reveals options with everything from tea to cosmetics to beer to dinosaurs. 

The focus on gifts and away from the Biblical story indicates that advent calendars are often used for secular purposes. 

At the end of the day, a calendar, even one with a surprise behind the door, is just a way of marking the passing of time. Whether or not an advent calendar is part of a religious observance depends on how a person uses it.