Alan Harvey has a nativity set that is also an Advent calendar.
One of my favorite Nativity sets that I purchased a few years ago is the one pictured above. I like it because it is an Advent calendar of sorts as well as a nativity set. I qualify that description because the days of Advent can number twenty-nine when the First Sunday of Advent falls as early as November 27th or only twenty-three when that Sunday falls as late as December 3rd. For all practical purposes most Advent calendars begin on December 1st and run through Christmas Day so that there are twenty-five days of Advent.
Consequently, this Advent calendar/nativity set has twenty-five characters which include the Holy Family, shepherds, wise men, angels, livestock, sheep, camels and a star. An animal, figure or the star is added each day. Of course, the last piece to be added is the baby Jesus. The entire nativity set can be contained within the wooden case with double doors that open to reveal the stable and surrounding landscape.
The set is fashioned after Fontanini figures, a popular maker of nativity sets from Italy. By adding a character each day the anticipation of Christmas heightens until Christmas Eve and Day arrive.
Scripture: Philippians 4:4-5
Thought for the Day: Do you remember how excited you were for Christmas (Santa) to come as a child? Even if you did not have an Advent calendar, did you mark off the days of a calendar to show how Jesus’ birthday was drawing near?
Prayer: Blessed Lord, waiting and watching never have been easy for Your disciples. Help us to wait and watch with joyful anticipation of the celebration of Your birth once again. This we humbly ask in Your precious name. Amen.