LET THE FORTY DAYS BEGIN...

November 15 is here, and for me that means the start of Advent. Yesterday I came across a pretty incredible advertisement on YouTube - yes, a commercial - that captures a child's perspective on the difficulty of waiting during Advent and the joy of giving at Christmas. (Watch all the way through, for the twist at the end.)



For me, as an Eastern Orthodox Christian, Advent is not just a countdown for the arrival of Christmas and the day's festivities. It is a time to prepare my heart and draw nearer to God in anticipation of his coming through prayer, fasting, the reading of Scripture, and acts of charity.  This time of joyous expectation is also called the "Nativity Fast".

Whether you observe an Advent countdown for 40 days, or just during the month of December, hopefully some of the books on my "40 Books For 40 Days List" will be helpful as you and your children begin preparing your hearts for the Child whose arrival we anticipate during this holy Nativity season.

40 BOOKS FOR 40 DAYS LIST
November 15 GOD GAVE US CHRISTMAS by Lisa T. Bergren
November 16 MY FIRST CHRISTMAS, by Tomie DePaola
November 17 HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS by Dr. Suess
November 18 WHO IS COMING TO OUR HOUSE? by Joseph Slate
November 19 THE TOMTEN by Astrid Lindgren
November 20 I SPY CHRISTMAS
November 21 THE JOLLY CHRISTMAS POSTMAN by Allan Ahlberg
November 22 LOOK ALIKES CHRISTMAS by Joan Steiner
November 23 CHRISTMAS TROLLS by Jan Brett
November 24 BABAR AND FATHER CHRISTMAS by Jean De Brunhoff
November 25 CHRISTMAS IN NOISY VILLAGE by Astrid Lindgren
November 26 THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY by Ezra Jack Keats
November 27 THE NUTCRACKER by Susan Jeffers
November 28 MERRY CHRISTMAS, CHEEPS! by Julie Stiegemeyer
November 29 CHRISTMAS MICE By Richard Scarry
November 30 CAN YOU SEE WHAT I SEE? THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS by Walter Wick
December 1 ONE WINTER'S NIGHT by John Herman, Diane Dillon, Leo Dillon
December 2 UNCLE VOVA'S TREE by Patricia Polacco
December 3 LETTERS FROM FATHER CHRISTMAS by J.R.R. Tolkien
December 4 THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS: A MAGICAL CUT-PAPER EDITION, Niroot Puutapipat
December 5 SANTA, ARE YOU FOR REAL? by Harold Myra
December 6 (St. Nicholas Day) THE LEGEND OF ST. NICHOLAS by Demi
December 7 CHRISTMAS IN THE MANGER by Nola Buck
December 8 B IS FOR BETHLEHEM, by Isabel Wilner
December 9 THE CHRISTMAS MIRACLE OF JONATHAN TOOMEY
December 10 THE GIFT OF THE MAGI, by O. Henry, illustrations Lizbeth Zwerger
December 11 THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER by Barbara Robinson
December 12 THE FIRST CHRISTMAS; THE FIRST NOEL by Jan Pienkowski
December 13 BABUSHKA AND THE THREE KINGS by Ruth Robbins
December 14 THE FRIENDLY BEASTS by Tomie DePaola
December 15 CHRISTMAS NIGHT FAIR AND BRIGHT by Julie Stiegemeyer
December 16 THE MIRACLE OF ST. NICHOLAS by Gloria Whelan
December 17 TAKE JOY! TASHA TUDOR CHRISTMAS BOOK
December 18 WE THREE KINGS by Gennady Spirin
December 19 ANGELA AND THE BABY JESUS (Children's version) by Frank MCourt
ANGELA AND THE BABY JESUS (Adult Edition)
December 20 THE NATIVITY by Ruth Sanderson
December 21 CHRISTMAS POEMS Edited by Hayes and Laughlin
December 22 CHRISTMAS! by Peter Spier
December 23 CHRISTMAS ANGELS by M.J. Hummel
December 24 (Christmas Eve) PREPARE O BETHLEHEM By Niko Chocheli
December 25 (Nativity) THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD by Mother Melania

Click here for more Advent ideas and activities.