Published on 25 November 2025, by nineelms.org

When we get to Advent, we know that Christmas is coming! As we count the days from 1st December to 24th, the anticipation builds.

We are looking forward to parties, leisurely holidays, feasting with family and friends, and of course presents! For Christians, Advent is also a time of reflection, and in some church traditions, of fasting, as people make ready for the great event – the birth of Jesus.

Did you know that the first printed Advent Calendars emerged early in the 20th century as a way to count off the days till 25th December? These calendars depicted a winter scene or nativity, and into the paper were cut numbered windows which were almost hidden in the picture. Each day a new window was opened, revealing a picture related to Christmas. Nowadays you rarely see an Advent calendar without a chocolate treat behind each window.

St George’s Nine Elms Church is creating a huge Advent Calendar in art’otel this December, designed as an elegant wall cabinet with artworks in 24 ‘windows’. Artists have created in ceramic, textile, metal and paper, objects that embody the things that Christmas means to them, or which are symbols of Christmas. The windows will all be open to view from December 1st, so that you can see every artwork from the beginning of Advent. As each day of December arrives, the window for that day will be featured in the room and in our Instagram @nineelmschurch. You can learn what inspired the artist, and how they crafted their piece.

As well as showcasing local artists, we are putting on workshops and drop-ins for all ages, encouraging everyone to make a bit of Christmas art.