--- title: "Beer Advent Calendar: Spiritual Tool or Sacrilege?" description: "Lisa Hendey asks whether the \"Beer Advent Calendar\" can be a unique and creative way to celebrate the season of Advent, or if it's actually something that mocks the season when we prepare to commemora" --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2015/11/10/beer-advent-calendar-spiritual-tool-or-sacrilege#) # Beer Advent Calendar: Spiritual Tool or Sacrilege? Nov 10, 2015 10:51:36 PM  |  by [Lisa M. Hendey](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/lisa-m-hendey) [![Image copyright Lisa M. Hendey](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/12239428_10153425561643303_8253384980801902740_o.jpg?width=400&height=500&name=12239428_10153425561643303_8253384980801902740_o.jpg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/12239428_10153425561643303_8253384980801902740_o.jpg) Image copyright Lisa M. Hendey Last night, I was minding my own business in the adult beverage aisle of my local warehouse store when it popped out at me: the [Beer Advent Calendar](https://www.reddit.com/r/beer/comments/3nh8sn/costco_beer_advent_calendar_2015_german/). I'd already walked past the artificial Christmas trees and toy aisles and had noticed an entire section of gift cards in bulk. Since I'm not one of those "decorate early" types, it had been pretty easy for me to ignore the coming of the "holiday season" so far this month. I'd even been largely blissfully unaware about [the dreaded Starbucks cup situation](http://www.cnbc.com/2015/11/09/starbucks-holiday-red-cup-brews-controversy-on-social-media.html). But when I saw the 2015 Beer Advent Calendar there mammothly sitting on the shelf, I have to say I immediately stopped in my tracks. My first thought was to reach out to my good friend Sarah Vabulas, author of *[The Catholic Drinkie's Guide to Homebrewed Evangelism](http://amzn.to/1WQSW3r)* for a consult. Sarah's my "go to" consultant for all things beer related. But she's also one of the most faith-filled women I know. Her advice convinced me to avoid putting the huge box into my already overstuffed shopping cart. But then I took the next step of taking a photo and sharing the Beer Advent Calendar on social media. And as it turned out, quite a conversation ensued in a few different places. A few clicks led me to the [Beer Advent Calendar's own Facebook page](https://www.facebook.com/beeradventcalendar/), which already has over 4,500 likes. All this Beer Advent Calendar media mania started me thinking about the various other odd Advent calendars I've seen like the [Lego ones](http://amzn.to/20Ltjpr) that come in many various themes, the [Christmas Beard Oil Advent Calendar](http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/thebeardedmancompany/product/christmas-beard-oil-advent-calender) (I'm not kidding!), or the [Personalized Dog Bone Advent Calendar](http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/cot2totandbeyond/product/personlised-dog-advent-calender). Somehow, counting down the days of December has become a cottage industry. What are we Catholics--*who actually begin the Advent season this year on [Sunday, November 29th](http://usccb.org/bible/readings/112915.cfm)--*to make of all of these various ways of marking the season? Are they good fun, intended to personalize our excitement for the coming holiday? Or are they yet another sign of the commercialization of a sacred holy season? Are they a **spiritual tool** to share our faith in fun and creative ways, or a **sacrilege** and a disrespect of something sacred? The helpful website Catholic Culture, in an article on the history of Advent, calls Advent calendars [one traditional way to anticipate Christ's birth](https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/activities/view.cfm?id=974). So is there a difference between using a calendar with small doors which open to reveal a piece of chocolate and using one which offers 24 microbrews? Perhaps I would have been more tempted to purchase the Beer Advent Calendar if it had featured a scene of the nativity on the front of the box instead of a German street scene... I'd love to hear your thoughts on my basic question: is the Advent Beer Calendar a spiritual tool (*a way to share our faith with others during the season of Advent)*, or a sacrilege (*something that violates the sacred*)? Tell me what you think in the comments here, or [vote in my Twitter poll here](https://twitter.com/LisaHendey/status/664289717832126465). I'll share my "take" in the comments below after a few others have chimed in, so comment if you want to hear what I really think. > Poll: Is "Beer Advent Calendar" is spiritual tool or a sacrilege? Info: [https://t.co/QBRFFzO7n0](https://t.co/QBRFFzO7n0) & vote! > > — Lisa Hendey (@LisaHendey) [November 11, 2015](https://twitter.com/LisaHendey/status/664289717832126465) *Copyright 2015 Lisa M. Hendey*   ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2015%2F11%2F10%2Fbeer-advent-calendar-spiritual-tool-or-sacrilege%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2015%2F11%2F10%2Fbeer-advent-calendar-spiritual-tool-or-sacrilege%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2015%2F11%2F10%2Fbeer-advent-calendar-spiritual-tool-or-sacrilege%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Beer%20Advent%20Calendar%3A%20Spiritual%20Tool%20or%20Sacrilege%3F) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2015%2F11%2F10%2Fbeer-advent-calendar-spiritual-tool-or-sacrilege%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2015%2F11%2F10%2Fbeer-advent-calendar-spiritual-tool-or-sacrilege%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Lisa M. Hendey](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Lisa%20M%20Hendey%202024.png) ### [Lisa M. Hendey](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/lisa-m-hendey) Lisa M. Hendey is the founder of CatholicMom.com, a bestselling author and an international speaker. A frequent radio and television guest, Hendey travels internationally giving workshops on faith, family, and communications. Visit Lisa at [LisaHendey.com](http://lisahendey.com), on her Substack at [LisaHendey.Substack.com](http://lisahendey.substack.com/), or on social media @LisaHendey for information on her speaking schedule or to invite her to visit your group, parish, school or organization. [Find Lisa’s books on her Amazon author page](https://www.amazon.com/Lisa-M-Hendey/e/B002ZM9FH0). [**](http://facebook.com/lisamhendey) [**](http://twitter.com/lisahendey) ## Related Blog Articles [ Plan Now to Employ CRS Advent Resources in Your Home and Classroom Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2014/11/04/plan-now-to-employ-crs-advent-resources-in-your-home-and-classroom) [ Beautiful Music for the Advent and Christmas Seasons Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2013/12/18/win-beautiful-music-for-the-advent-and-christmas-seasons) [ Catholic Mom Video Digest for 1st Sunday of Advent Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2008/11/30/catholic-mom-video-digest-for-1st-sunday-of-advent) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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