Advent calendars

[Carol]

I just lost a post on Advent calendars, which is the topic that
momentarily slipped my memory. (Susan's post reminded me. thanks, Susan!)

Rather than repeat the whole post, I'll just say that I have a lovely
Advent calendar from the 1970s that I still use because I can't find
one anywhere as nice to replace it. (It's free-standing, with the
shepherds on one side, the Three Kings on the other, and the inn in
the middle.) the windows of the inn open to show a picture and a Bible
verse (King James), and the double doors open on the 24th to reveal a
manger scene. I also have an Advent wreath and light the proper purple
and/or pink candles for each Sunday in December.

For anyone who's interested, there's a beautiful interactive Advent
calendar with scenes from "The Nativity Story" and Bible verses (most
of them from a modern translation) at
http://www.thenativitystory.com/advent-calendar.html
I know Advent is almost over, but you can use it again next year. (I
downloaded mine last year and it works just as well this year.) Each
day in December, a different star lights up. (You can still see the
pictures and verses from the earlier days.) You can choose either
flutes or strings for the music.

Carol, still wondering how "Happy holidays" could ever have (nearly)
replaced "Merry Christmas" in a country (the U.S.) in which 94 percent
of the population celebrates Christmas