A NEW “Follow the Star” Advent calendar is enjoying strong sales after media attention.

The calendar, produced by Church House Publishing, is an attempt to combat the trend away from the Christmas story that has seen Advent calendars focus on the lives of celebrities or filled with chocolate, alcohol, or even cheese.

The Church’s Advent calendar is part of the Follow the Star campaign (News, 1 December 2022; 5 September 2023). It is made up of a fold-out stable scene which can be completed with stickers for each day of Advent. It has been created by Clare Williams, head of schools & family learning at Norwich Cathedral, and Charlotte Cooke, a children’s book illustrator.

The Bishop of Stockport, the Rt Revd Sam Corley said: “It isn’t always easy to find a calendar that gets beyond robins and snowmen — or gifts such as chocolate, tea, whisky or even socks — to explore the real meaning of Christmas, let alone Advent as a time of preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ.”

Sales, already strong, were boosted by an article in The Times at the weekend, and the 10,000 print run is expected to sell out.

The calendars cost £3.99 each, or £35 for ten. The are available from various outlets, or from Church House Bookshop, which can post individual calendars to addresses in the UK for an additional £2 p&p.