Advent Calendar 2024

I've been drawing my 14th Advent Calendar.  It's always a blessing for me to reflect, draw, and color using seasonal images and words, often taken from scripture, hymns, and prayers.

This year, with Advent starting on December 1, my calendar grid works best with four rows of six, and a center oval for Christmas Day.  So the Sunday spaces (where I draw candles) occur diagonally.  Each drawing space is small, about 1-3/4" high, and it may look a bit fuzzy or faded above.  For a better view, click on the image.

If you'd like to see my calendar drawings from past years, click here.

• Copic markers
• Pen: Copic multiliner 0.3, 0.2, and 0.1 black
• Paper: Neenah
• Words and sources:
• 12/1  We are leaving ordinary time  (My calendar each year starts with these words which point out the wonder of the Advent time, looking forward to Christmas and the birth of Jesus.  And in the church year, our long season of "ordinary time" - the summer and fall weeks after Pentecost - has now ended)
• 12/2  Holy and Mighty (Trisagion hymn, "Holy God, holy and mighty, holy immortal one, have mercy upon us")
• 12/3  Fulfill the promise;  12/4  A righteous Branch;  12/5  Live in safety (Jeremiah 33:14-16)
  
• 12/6  Be alert (Luke 21:36
  
• 12/7  Gloria in Excelsis (Luke 2:14 "Glory to God in the highest ...")
  
• 12/8  Grace 
• 12/9-10  No words
• 12/11  Greet with joy! (Collect for 2nd Sunday in Advent, Book of Common Prayer, "... that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer ...")
  
• 12/12  The desert shall rejoice (Isaiah 35:1)
• 12/13  Love
• 12/14  Lift high your praise! (Advent hymn, "Prepare the way, O Zion")
• 12/15-16  No words
• 12/17  Rejoice in the Lord always - Again I say, Rejoice!  (Philippians 4:4)
• 12/18  Hope
  

Advent Calendar 2023

I've finished drawing my Advent calendar, the 13th since I began in 2008.  As always, it's been a meaningful way for me to reflect, draw, and color using seasonal images and words, often taken from scripture, hymns, and prayers. 

Because Advent ended on Sunday 12/24 this year, my calendar grid has double-wide spaces for the Sundays (moving down diagonally from the top left) and for Christmas Day.

Each drawing space is small, about 1-5/8" high, and it may look a bit fuzzy or faded above.  For a better view, click on the image.  If you'd like to see my calendar drawings from past years, click here.

• Copic markers; also some colored pencil for 12/3
  
• Pen: Copic multiliner or Micron
  
• Words and sources:
• 12/3  We are leaving ordinary time  (My calendar each year starts with these words which point out the wonder of the Advent time, looking forward to Christmas and the birth of Jesus.  And in the church year, our long season of "ordinary time" - the summer and fall weeks after Pentecost - has now ended.)
  
• 12/4  Make haste to help us (Psalm 70:1 and Book of Common Prayer, evening prayer liturgy)
• 12/5  O come, thou branch of Jesse's tree (Hymn "O come, O come, Emmanuel")
• 12/6  Joy
• 12/7  Keep awake (Mark 13:35-37)
• 12/8  Grace
• 12/9  Good news - Jesus Christ the Son of God (Mark 1:1) 
• 12/10 Joyful hope is springing (Hymn "Sleepers, wake!") 
• 12/11 Mercy and truth have met together (Psalm 85:10) 
• 12/12 Restore (Psalm 80:3) 
• 12/13 The day is near (Romans 13:12) 
• 12/14 Stir up your strength and come to help us (Psalm 80:2) 
• 12/15 Peace shall be a pathway for his feet (Psalm 85:13) 
• 12/16 God so loves the world ... (John 3:16, with "loves" in place of "loved")
  
• 12/17 Rejoice, rejoice, believers, and let your lights appear!  (Hymn)
  
• 12/18 Listen 
• 12/19 Holy and mighty (Trisagion hymn, "Holy God, holy and mighty, holy immortal one, have mercy upon us")
  
• 12/20 The Lord is not slow about His promise. (2 Peter 3:9) 
• 12/21 Son of God - Savior - Emmanuel - Redeemer - Son of Man
  
• 12/22 Praise
  
• 12/23 Patience
  
• 12/24 May the Word sent from God lead us in the way of love, hope, joy, and peace. (Advent candle-lighting sentence from our church bulletin)
  
• 12/25 Joy to the world!
  

Peace Angel

It's too soon for Christmas, but never too soon for an angel of peace and good will.  

Starting from my 2022 Advent calendar, I redrew it to be larger and with a full set of wings on the left.  It will be the image for my 2023 Christmas card. 

• Copic marker colors used: BG10, B01,21, BV31, V25, R02, E37,41,53, Y21, YR21, C0,1, Custom color G143
• Pen: Micron 03 black
  
• Paper: Neenah, cut down to A2 (4-1/4 x 5-1/2")
  
• Words: Peace
  

Advent Calendar 2022

I've finished my Advent calendar, the 12th since I began in 2008.  It's always a meaningful way for me to reflect, draw, and color using seasonal images and words, often taken from scripture, hymns, and prayers.  

Each drawing space is small, about 1-5/8" high, and it may look a bit fuzzy or faded above.  For a better view, click on the image.  If you'd like to see my calendar drawings from past years, click here.

• Copic markers
  
• Pen: Copic multiliner
• Words and sources:
• 11/27  We are leaving ordinary time  (My calendar each year starts with these words which point out the wonder of the Advent time, looking forward to Christmas and the birth of Jesus.  And in the church year, our long season of "ordinary time" - the summer and fall weeks after Pentecost - has now ended.)
• 11/28 Hope of all the earth Thou art (hymn - Come Thou Long-expected Jesus)
• 11/29 A light to the nations  (Luke 2:32)
  
• 11/30 Joy
  
• 12/1  Born a child, and yet a King (hymn - Come Thou Long-expected Jesus)
• 12/2  He shall reign forever and ever - Hallelujah!  (Handel's Messiah - Hallelujah chorus)
  
• 12/3  Peace
  
• 12/4  Grace
  
• 12/5  Let each heart prepare a home (hymn "On Jordan's Bank." There are various translations of the lyrics. My hymnal reads, "Let each heart prepare a home where such a mighty Guest may come.")
• 12/6-8 and 13-15  Unto us a child (Isaiah 9:6)
• 12/9 The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him. (Isaiah 11:2)
• 12/10  The wilderness shall be glad. (from Isaiah 35:1)
• 12/11  Happy are they whose hope is in the Lord. (from Psalm 146:4)
• 12/12  Holy and mighty  (Trisagion hymn - "Holy Lord, holy and mighty, holy immortal one, have mercy upon us.")
• 12/16  Love
• 12/17  Stars keep watch (hymn - People, Look East) 
• 12/18  O come, Emmanuel (hymn)
• 12/19  Pour light upon us (hymn - O Heavenly Word - "pour light upon us from above, and fire our hearts with ardent love") 
• 12/20  Mercy
• 12/21  Wait
• 12/22  Awake
• 12/23  The day is near (Romans 13:12)
• 12/24  Anticipate ...
  

Advent Calendar 2021

I'm happy that I've completed another Advent calendar, my 11th since I began in 2008.  As always, I  enjoyed the activity to reflect, draw, and color using seasonal images and words, often taken from scripture, hymns, and prayers.  

 

Each drawing space is small, about 1-5/8" high, and it may look a bit fuzzy or faded above.  For a better view, click on the image.  If you'd like to see my calendar drawings from past years, click here.

• Copic markers
• Pen: Copic multiliner
  
• Paper: Neenah
• Words and sources:
• 11/28  We are leaving ordinary time  (My calendar each year starts with these words which point out the wonder of the Advent time, looking forward to Christmas and the birth of Jesus.  And in the church year, our long season of "ordinary time" - the summer and fall weeks after Pentecost - has now ended.)
• 11/29-12/4  Savior of the nations, come! Virgin's Son, make here your home! Marvel now, both heaven and earth, that the Lord chose such a birth.  (hymn)  (My calendar drawings had a late start this year, and I used the 6-day blank space for a long vine and the first verse of a favorite Advent hymn.)
  
• 12/5  Wait ...
• 12/6  Emmanuel (meaning "God with us")
  
• 12/7  Hope 
• 12/8  From our fears and sins release us (hymn - Come thou long-expected Jesus)
• 12/9  Put on the armor of Light (Romans 13:12)
• 12/10  The Day is at hand (Romans 13:12) 
• 12/11  Rejoice
• 12/12  The Lord will renew you in his love (Zephaniah 3:17) 
• 12/13  At that time, I will bring you home (Zephaniah 3:20)
  
• 12/14  Grace and mercy (from the Book of Common Prayer collect (prayer) for the 3rd Sunday of Advent)
  
• 12/15  Patience
  
• 12/16  Come, thou long expected Jesus (hymn)
  
• 12/17  Sing aloud, O daughter Zion! (Zephaniah 3:14)
  
• 12/18  Therefore, keep awake (Mark 13:24)
  
• 12/19  Love, hope, joy, peace (from an Advent blessing "May the Word sent from God lead us in the way of love, hope, joy, and peace") 
• 12/20  Believe
  
• 12/21  The Lord will fulfill the promise (Jeremiah 33:14)
  
• 12/22  With joy, you will draw water from the springs of salvation (Isaiah 12:3)
  
• 12/23  Blessings
  
• 12/24  Unto us, a Savior (Luke 2:11)
  
• 12/25  Glory to God in the highest (Luke 2:14)
  

Lenten Calendar 2021

My finished calendar for Lent.  A variety of templates and ideas are posted here on Sybil MacBeth's Praying in Color blog.  Her finished calendar is posted here.

Once again, I'm so glad to have done this activity of daily prayer drawings, with words and meditations layered into the lines and colors. 

Note: each drawing space is small, about an inch wide, so you may want to click on the drawing for a better view.  

• Copic markers, Uniball gold gel impact pen, white gel pen, yellow colored pencil
  
• Pen: Copic multiliners, black, sky blue, cobalt, purple
• Paper: Neenah
• Words: 
• Week 1: Ashes, Renew, Hope, Enlighten
• Week 2: Mighty to save, Thaw, Grateful, Turn, Mend/ heal, Thirst, His mercy endures forever
• Week 3: Follow, Presence, Lift up, Pray, Remember, Be still and know, Redeem
• Week 4: Give life, Believe, Grace, Learn, Promise, Connect, Inspire
  
• Week 5: Journey, Faith, Sustain, Bless, Centering, Stir, Loving-kindness
• Week 6: Embrace, Dwell in safety, Lord, Rest, Kyrie eleison, Release, Forgiven
  
• Week 7 (Holy Week): Hosanna, Help us, There/Here, Lay aside every weight (Hebrews 12:1), Given for us, God so loves (adapted from John 3:16).  The last day doesn't have words.
  

Sketch - Cezanne Inspired

Getting warmed up for February's Cezanne inspired project, I did this rough pencil sketch with a Bible verse that echoed the feeling of abundance in the original painting.  I added a bit of coloring, then set it aside, thinking I might use it for another drawing. 

But the longer it sat on my table, the more it seemed complete in itself, and the words developed layers of meaning for me as time went on.  So three months later, I'm calling it done.  Sometimes my scratchiest sketches make me happy without needing a polished end point.

• Copic marker colors used: W1, 3; Y13; YR21, 30; YG05, 21; E81; V000, 22; BV31; B41
• Colored pencils, a very old set of Venus Spectracolor: ultramarine, orange, olive green, scarlet lake, terra cotta, and orange-yellow
• Paper: printer paper, cut down to 4-1/4 x 5-1/2"
• Words: From His fullness we have all received grace upon grace. - John 1:16

Cezanne Inspired

My drawing: Rounds and Angles

Last month, by coincidence, my friend Sybil and I both created and sent birthday greetings that were inspired by paintings.  It gave us the idea, just for fun, to choose a piece of art that we'd each use as inspiration for "something" of our own.  Our simple rules: "Anything goes - any medium, any outcome, any close or remote connection to the inspiration piece."

My drawing, above, is inspired by the Cezanne painting at the end of today's post, Still Life with Fruit.  As I was looking at the painting, at first I noticed the colors - warm yellows, yellow greens, oranges, and grays, with cool blues and purples - and the subject matter - fruit, fabric, pottery, baskets, and furniture.

Then I began to see it as a collection of shapes and lines - rounds and angles - and that's what I drew. I enjoyed making the wall and floor backgrounds with the small snippets of shape and color in between.  Before starting my "rounds and angles" drawing, I sketched a more traditional still life, which I might finish and post later.

Below is Sybil's drawing, a very fun and playful take on the inspiration.  

Sybil's drawing: Anglican Tea Party Prayer Beads

Image source

My materials:

• Copic markers (many colors) with some colored pencil
• Pen: Copic multiliner 0.3 black
• Paper: Neenah, cut down to 4.25 x 5.5"

Advent Calendar 2019

I've finished drawing my 10th Advent Calendar.  After taking a year off in 2018, I was happy to do one again.  It's been such a blessing for me to reflect, draw, and color using seasonal images and words, often taken from scripture, hymns, and prayers.

This year, with Advent starting on December 1, my calendar grid worked best with four rows of six, and a center oval for Christmas Day.  So the Sunday spaces (where I draw candles) will occur diagonally.  Each drawing space is small, about 1-5/8" high, and it may look a bit fuzzy or faded above.  For a better view, click on the image.

If you'd like to see my calendar drawings from past years, click here.

• Copic markers
• Pen: Copic multiliner 0.3, 0.2, and 0.1 black
• Paper: Neenah
• Words and sources:
• 1. We are leaving ordinary time  (My calendar each year starts with these words which point out the wonder of the Advent time, looking forward to Christmas and the birth of Jesus.  And in the church year, our long season of "ordinary time" - the summer and fall weeks after Pentecost - has now ended)
• 2. Sometimes a light surprises (hymn)
• 3. O come Emmanuel, thou Branch of Jesse's stem (hymn, Veni Emmanuel)
• 4.  I will make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert (Isaiah 43:9)
• 5. Await
• 6. Hope
• 7. Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight (Matthew 3:3)
• 8. Then you shall see and be radiant (Isaiah 60:5)
• 9-10. Peace - be still
• 11. Shine
• 12. Let every heart prepare a throne, and every voice a song (hymn, Hark! a loud voice! the Savior comes)
• 13. Rejoice with joy and singing (Isaiah 35:1)
• 14. Trust in God's promise
• 15-16. Patience 
• 17. Brighten your heart (from an Advent blessing)
• 18. Already - Not yet
• 19. Savior
• 20. Every valley shall be lifted up (Isaiah 40:4)
• 21. Wonder
• 22. Grant us your Light (from an Advent prayer) 
• 23. Glory to God in the highest!
• 24. Grace
• 25. Christmas Day

Lenten Calendar 2019

Since I didn't draw a calendar for this past Advent season, I was very ready to start one for Lent!  I've kept it simple, just a few words from the season's scriptures or prayers, as they connect to my daily events and experiences, with a bit of drawing and coloring.  Note: each drawing space is small, about an inch wide, so you may want to click on the drawing for a better view. 

Added Saturday, April 20, 2019:  This is my finished calendar update, with the drawings complete through today in Holy Week. Though my drawings end with the sorrow and darkness of Holy Saturday, there is joy in our faith of Easter's resurrection.

In the past, I've used a variety of templates (click here for more of my Lent and Easter posts, or here for my Advent calendar posts).  You can find this grid and other templates on my friend Sybil's Praying in Color blog, along with her current Lent calendar drawing. 

• Copic markers; colored pencil for April 1 bench
• Pen: Copic multiliner 0.3, 0.5, and 1.0 black
• Paper: Neenah
• Words:
• Week 1: Ash; Slow; Draw near; Wash
• Week 2: The time is now; Rough; Give me vision; Walk - put one foot in front of the other; Look for truth; Make in us new and contrite hearts; Spare your people, O Lord
• Week 3: Sustain; Gather; Trust; Seek Him; Wait patiently for the Lord; Show me your way, O Lord; Sounds of great gladness
• Week 4: Deeply; Keep me safe; Read and meditate; Come to me, all who are weary and heavy laden -
• Week 5: And I will give you rest; Teach me; Mercy; Be reconciled to God; Who gives life to the world
• Week 6: For our sake; Lift up your hearts; He remembers that we are but dust; I will guide you with my eye; Now is the day of salvation; Hide not; Forgive
• Week 7: Hosanna; Oh... hush... ; Gifts of God; Darkness.

Nativity - 2018

Though I took a break this year and didn't draw an Advent calendar, I finished a small Nativity drawing today.  Wishing the blessings of Christmas to all! 

• Copic marker colors used: Custom color B2000, B000,63, R00,32, RV55,66, YR21,24,27, E00,04,25
• Colored pencil (for halos): Venus Spectracolor, sand 1437
• Pen: Copic multiliner 0.3 black
• Paper: Neenah, cut down to 3 x 3-3/4"

Triangles Doodle

Bright triangles balancing on a gray stairstep. 

In real life, the orange and pink colors are less similar.

• Copic marker colors used: C3, R35, Y15, YR15, G07, BG45
• Pen: Copic multiliner 0.5 black
• Paper: Neenah, cut down to 3 x 4-1/4"

Birthday Wishes

A small, sketchy drawing of birthday treats ... party hat, cake, pinwheel, and balloons ... on a black mat.  I'll mount it on some turquoise patterned paper and add a note inside for a special birthday card.  I know the recipient will enjoy it.

• Copic marker colors used: Custom color R290, R08, RV95, Y19, BG10,57, E23,25,29,37,71
• Pen: Copic multiliner 0.1 black, white gel pen for highlights
• Paper: Neenah, cut down to 3-1/2" square
• Words: Birthday Wishes

New Year 2018

A joyful verse from the Gospel of John from our Sunday scriptures.  Entering into 2018, I'm trusting in God's grace to carry me through.  I doodled a vine for "joy" and added a sunrise sky. 

• Copic marker colors used: Custom color G143, G17, B41,45, R00,02,32
• Pen: Copic multiliner 0.2 and 0.5 black
• Paper: Neenah, cut down to 4.25 x 5.5"
• Words: Joy, 2018, and "From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.  John 1:16"

Advent Calendar 2017

With the Nativity scene drawing for Christmas Day, I've completed my annual Advent calendar drawings.  As with past years, I've enjoyed taking the time to enjoy the hope, joy, and wonder of the season with my pens and markers. 

Each drawing space is small (about 1-5/8" high) and it may look a bit fuzzy or faded above.  For a better view, click on the image.

If you might like to try something similar, click here for more information, or here (my friend Sybil's blog) for 2017 template formats, including my calendar grid that I'm using.  Or click here for my eight completed calendars from past years.

For a listing of words, sources of words, Copic colors, and other materials used,  see below (or click on "read more" to see it.)

Lenten Calendar 2017

It's been several years since my last Lenten calendar, and it felt very good to create one this year.   I used a cross template drawn by my friend Sybil, adding a few lines and a "Lent 2017" heading.

The drawing spaces are quite small, typically 3/4" - 1" wide, and in my post, the image will look a bit blurry, so please click on it for a better view.  Each day's space is very simple - a word or phrase chosen from the daily scriptures or prayers in a Lenten meditation booklet, with a simple drawing or just a bit of color.  I like the little icon spaces and the overall color and energy that emerged.

If you'd like to consider this for next year's Lent, click here for more info, including several templates.  Sybil posted her completed 2017 calendar here.  For all of my Lent and Easter drawings and calendars, click here.  For my Advent calendars, click here.

• Copic markers
• Pen: Copic multiliner 0.3, 0.5, and 1.0 black
• Paper: Neenah
• In filling in the template, I moved back and forth unevenly from the bottom, saving the spaces in the cross for Ash Wednesday and Holy Week.  So I'll list my words by row (row 1 is at the bottom) instead of by date.
• Cross: (starting from bottom) Ash Wed. We are dust. And God loves us.; you welcomed me; entrusting; (Holy Saturday) no words; (Left to right) Love one another; good; how very good; Hosanna; (Top of cross: Easter Sunday) Risen!
• Row 1: wilderness; connect us; bound by love; all things in common; our hope for healing
• Row 2: mighty to save; fellowship in Jesus; love one another; we are God's field; where 2 or 3 are gathered
• Row 3: humility; no words; if we satisfy others' needs, he will satisfy our needs; embrace and hold fast; he is our peace; revive my soul
• Row 4: we are created in God's image; do not fear; show mercy; no words; keep us; your will be done
• Row 5: in one spirit; serve one another; Christ the true bread; compassion; no words; that we may have life
• Row 6: no words; do not be afraid; varieties of gifts; glorify; grace to love; persevere
• Row 7: peace be with you; encourage one another; break every yoke; no words

Yellow-Orange Flowers with Long Leaves

Many months ago, getting to know my then-new drawing software and tablet, I doodled this shape of flowers with long leaves.  Just the line drawing; no coloring.  My lines are very jagged, because I didn't adjust the line-smoothing properly, and at the time, I didn't like the drawing.

I didn't save the computer file, but I printed it out.  Recently I came across the printout in a pile of papers, and I decided to photocopy it onto Neenah paper and color it.  It's really much nicer than I thought.  The lines and shapes have a graceful flow that I'm very happy with.

• Copic marker colors used: Custom color YYR2000, Y21, YR14,15, YG23,61, G43, BG90
• Paper: Neenah, cut down to 5x7"

New Year 2017

For the start of a new year. a doodled green "New" in a beautiful verse from Isaiah.

• Copic marker colors used: Y15 (airbrushed), G07,14,17, YG05
• Pen: Copic multiliner 0.2 and 0.5 black
• Paper: Neenah, cut down to 4.25 x 5.5"
• Words: See, the former things have come to pass - and new things I now declare.  Isaiah 42:9a

Advent Calendar 2016

My 2016 Advent calendar is finished. Always a good experience for me as I draw and color my way through Christmas.

Each drawing space is small (about 1-5/8" high) and it may look a bit fuzzy or faded above.  For a better view, click on the image.

With my daily drawings, I set aside a bit of space and time to reflect on the Advent season, and its message of hope and love.   If you might like to try something similar, click here for more information, including 2016 template links.  Or click here for my seven calendars from past years.

For a listing of words, sources of words, Copic colors, and other materials used,  see below (or click on "read more" to see it.)

Advent Calendar Template 2016

Tomorrow is the first Sunday of Advent, and I'll start to draw my 8th annual Advent calendar.   I'll plan to post the drawings at least weekly. 

My first Advent calendar was drawn in 2008, and afterward I wrote about what I learned.  It's been a wonderful way for me to connect with the season and to meditate while I draw and color. 

To see my previous Advent calendar drawings, click as follows:

• Here for 2015
• Here for 2014 (no calendar for 2013 - I skipped a year)
• Here for 2012
• Here for 2011
• Here for 2010
• Here for 2009
• Here for 2008
• Here for all of my Advent and Christmas-related drawings and posts

My friend Sybil also posts her yearly Advent calendars in her prayer-drawing blog, Praying in Color.  Click here for her 2014 calendar, here for 2013, here for 2012, here for 2011, or here for 2010.  I'll also link to her 2016 calendar as it appears.

If you'd like to try this activity for yourself, you're invited to click here for several different templates on Sybil's blog.  Along with my calendar grid I'll be using this year, she offers a wreath and two trees with different shapes for the days.  She also shows her finished calendars for 2015 at the end of her post.