The 'Chocolatisation' of Advent . . .

Brian Pedley, writing in The Times on Friday, has come up with a fantastic word to describe how commercial interests and the secularisation of our society have taken over the Christian tradition of Advent calenders for children. He talks about the current trend of chocolate-filled Advent calendars featuring cartoon characters or children's TV programme themes as the 'Chocolatisation of Advent'. You can read the full article here.

He has another great line, 'Among so many overexcited, chocolate-charged children and chihuahuas, the expectant Virgin Mary is presumed missing, last seen in the New Testament.'

He then goes on to describe an initiative by the Churches Together in Britain and Ireland to reclaim Advent through their 'Advent 2009' course which uses readings, prayers and scriptural references to explore Advent themes.

“I really think that we have the whole thing out of perspective,” says the Roman Catholic theologian Dr Patrick Logan, a former adviser on social responsibility for the Diocese of Southwark. He has worked with Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI), to reclaim Advent “as a time of journeying in preparation and hope for Christmas”.

I enjoy chocolate as much as anyone - some would even say more than most! Luckily, when our children were small, chocolate Advent calendars just being introduced and it was still possible to find an Advent calendar in the shops featuring a Nativity scene. I'm quite happy for children to have treats but if all they associate Advent with is having a chocolate each day then something is amiss I think.

In looking for some pictures of Advent calendars, I've discovered that you can now buy religious Advent calendars that contain chocolates - maybe that's the answer.