Who else, like me, loved Christmas and Advent calendars as a child? Advent calendars are a fun way to teach children about the meaning of the holiday while simultaneously managing expectations, especially the question, "How many more days until Christmas?"
Most Advent Calendars feature 24 openings (doors, windows or drawers) that open up to a picture or Bible verse, and sometimes even a candy, toy or ornament. There's one opening for each day in December leading up to Christmas Eve on the 24th.
When my brother and I were young, we had one Advent calendar and took alternating turns daily opening up the little doors.
We felt rich when one year we each got our own Advent calendar! Then there was the year of the amazing chocolate candy Advent calendar from Switzerland that my clever Mommy Judy Carr obtained at Cost Plus Imports. (We had to go back to taking turns for for that one).
Searching online I found a site featuring free do-it-yourself online advent calendars to share. There are some that are already made, including an App that can be downloaded that plays classical music selections for each day.
However, some online Advent calendars "enforce" the anticipation-you can only open up the current (or previous) days, not any of those in the future. (A "No peeking!" message flashes if one attempts to jump ahead.)
Another one allows you to upload photos and images-but forces you to watch ads before you can even open one door. There is an option to "buy" it for $2.99 and eliminate the ads.
If you love the idea of enjoying free Christmas advent calendars, check out the following websites and enjoy! An early "Merry Christmas!" gift from me to you. 
John Piper's Good News of Great Joy series is a downloadable ebook (or PDF or MOBI file) with devotions for December 1 through 25, including Bible verses.
The Musical Advent Calendar is a free iOS app featuring 25 free pieces of classical Christmas music.
The Santa Games Online Advent Calendar is designed for children with a game behind each door.
For a meditative adult Advent Calendar, consider becoming part of the global prayer community with #AdventWord – A Global Advent Calendar by Virginia Theological Seminary. (This image shows the themes for 2020.) Submit one's email, name, language preference, then confirm receipt of the invitation to join in a daily global advent experience. It starts with the first Sunday of Advent. This year Advent started on Sun., November 27, 2022. It features a theme word and short meditation for each day through December 25, Christmas Day.
There's also a "create-your-own" Advent (reportedly without any forced ads) at MyAdvent.
For Catholics, there is the "Pray-As-You-Go" Advent Retreat. This devotional is sent out weekly and contains 20-25 minute meditations.
Images courtesy of www.freedigitalphotos.net.
Thanks for reading "Free DIY Online Advent Calendars Start Dec. 1".
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