What is the Names of Jesus Advent Calendar?

I get asked this question a lot, so I wanted to write it all out properly, for anyone who is new to the Names of Jesus Advent Calendar and wants to know what it actually is.

Why I made it

Every year my kids asked for one of those chocolate-filled advent calendars you see at the supermarket, covered in Peppa Pig or Minions or whatever is popular that year. And I love them for that. But I also wanted something that had some meaning about what Christmas is actually about, and wasn't going to take too long each day to get through. If you're doing it before the school rush, it has to be simple.

So I designed the Names of Jesus Advent Calendar.

What is the Names of Jesus Advent Calendar?

It's a Christian advent calendar made up of 24 beautifully illustrated cards, each featuring a name of Jesus from Scripture. The idea is simple: one card per day throughout December. You hang the cards with the numbers facing out, and each morning you flip the next card over to reveal a name of Jesus.

The calendar comes with natural jute twine, 24 natural wood pegs, and a sturdy box to store everything safely for next year. There's also a desk edition with a wooden display block if you'd rather keep it on your desk or workspace.

Why names?

I liked the idea of using Jesus' names as a way to flesh out who he is. It's not just about the baby Jesus in a manger. It's about his whole life and character. Each name tells you something slightly different about who he is and what he came to do. When you sit with a new name each day, you're building up a fuller picture over the whole of December.

My favourite example is when my daughter Gracie asked me what "Redeemer" meant. I remember thinking, this is exactly why I made this calendar. It gave me the perfect opening to explain: to redeem, to be redeemed, why Jesus is called a Redeemer, and how he saves us. That kind of conversation doesn't always happen naturally. The calendar creates the moment.

What if I get stuck?

That's what the daily emails are for. When you sign up, you'll receive a short reflection each day of December connected to that day's name. They're written by friends who have reflected on what each name expresses about who Jesus is. They're not long. They're designed to help you think it through yourself, and to give you a few words to use if your three-year-old asks what a mediator is.

There's also a list of Bible verses connected to each name. Everything you need is there if you want it.

Who is it for?

Honestly, almost everyone. I started using it with my kids when they were still learning to talk. I've had grandparents buying it for adult children, people keeping it on their desk at work, and teachers using it in classrooms. The reflections are short enough to read aloud and simple enough to be a starting point for a conversation rather than a lecture.

And it's tactile. There's something about physically flipping a card each morning that makes it feel like a real ritual rather than just another thing you scroll past.

Is it reusable?

Yes, and this was really important to me. The cards are printed on 400gsm FSC-certified card stock, made to last. The box and pegs are solid. You'll bring this out every December for years. The daily email reflections are also sent out again each year, so returning families receive them fresh every Advent.

Where can I get one?

You can find the Names of Jesus Advent Calendar here. There are two editions: the original edition and the desk edition. Both are part of the Christmas collection at Lacewing Creative.

If you have questions about shipping, reflections, or anything else, the Advent Calendar FAQs page has you covered.