Sunlit Art ~ Advent Calendars

Advent Calendars

Advent is the season when, in the northern hemisphere, we look forward to the return of light with the winter solstice. Numerous celebrations, many featuring the lighting of candles or bonfires, take place during the darkest months of the year, including the Diwali festival in India, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, ‘Id al-Fitre, which ends the fast of Ramadan, and Bodhi Day, which celebrates the enlightenment of Buddha. Advent refers to the arrival of the baby Jesus, and Advent calendars began in Germany in the 1800’s as a way to mark the days leading up to Christmas. Today over a million Advent calendars are sold and enjoyed each year—all over the world!

Sunlit Art Advent calendars are printed from original watercolor paintings. When you open each window there is a printed text on the inner surface of the window flap.

9” X 12”
$7.50 each.

ONE WORLD: INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP

NEW FOR 2011!

Our newest calendar is a celebration of friendship in various cultures around the world and among people from different countries. The words inside the windows are from the teachings of Jesus, Buddha, and Kung Fu-tzu, also known as Confucius. 2011 is the Year of the Rabbit, and according to the Chinese Zodiac, those born this year will have particularly peaceful personalities.

WESTERN TRAILS

Following paths made by wild animals and Native Americans as well as “El Camino Real” and The Santa Fe and Oregon trails, the West was criss-crossed by travelers on dangerous and exciting journeys. This, our least “religious” calendar, honors the faith and courage it takes to follow one’s dreams. Japanese text available by request.

SAINT FRANCIS : SANTOS Y SANTEROS

Featuring the words of St. Francis of Assisi, his Canticle of the Creatures and Prayer, this calendar shows saints and art from around the world and from throughout history. The accompanying text, in English and Spanish, tells a bit about the santos y santeros of New Mexico. Japanese text available by request.

NATIVE AMERICA

A revised version of our most popular calendar! The pictures are the same, but inside the windows are words of inspiration from the Quaker tradition, and the accompanying text tells a very interesting story. The Indians who lived in colonial times influenced how we live today in ways you might not realize!

HISPANIC VILLAGE

This calendar honors the rich, self-sufficient and faith-filled life of the rural Hispanic communities of northern New Mexico and southern Colorado. Much of their traditional culture, including crafts, music and food, has continued relatively unchanged since the 1600’s. Open the windows and see a Las Posadas procession!

WESTERN WILDLIFE: THE BEAUTIFUL BOSQUE

This calendar explores the flora and fauna of a vanishing riparian habitat, the cottonwood bosque of the Southwest. The words inside the windows are from the Vietnamese Buddhist teacher, Thich Nhat Hanh. Order now for delivery before Advent.

TWO WORLDS

The arrival of Europeans in the westernhemisphere led to a clash of two worlds, the “old” and the “new.” This calendar celebrates thecolors and culture that survived the conflict.. Includes words of Jesus that express values shared by many religions.

This calendar is also available packaged with Spanish or Japanese translations of the text.