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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Judge rules Eagle Point district violated free-speech rights during 2012 strike ... Our View: Highway 62 bypass — just get it done ... Cooking up some fun ... Judge rules Eagle Point district violated free-speech rights during 2012 strike ... Our View: Highway 62 bypass — just get it done ... Cooking up some fun ... Marketta Gregory: Advent calendar Comment By Marketta Gregory More Content Now MailTribune.com By Marketta Gregory More Content Now Posted Dec. 18, 2014 at 12:01 AM By Marketta Gregory More Content Now Posted Dec. 18, 2014 at 12:01 AM » Social News I first fell in love with felt Advent calendars about six years ago when I saw a Christmas tree with 25 superbly decorated pockets at Pottery Barn. I could practically see it filled with tiny presents and hanging on my walls, but I couldn’t bring myself to fork over the cash, especially since I really wanted one for each of our boys to keep and eventually share with his family. So I did what all insecure crafters do. I asked around to see if someone like me, with the most basic sewing skills, could make one. Then, I bought felt and kept it tucked away in my closet for a few years to see if I could build up the courage to begin. The courage never came, but Mama and my middle sister did. So I did what all youngest children do. I asked them to help me make three calendars while they were here visiting. (And just to be clear: By “help me,” I meant do most of the cutting, the sewing and the decorating.) There was a Christmas tree for Jessie, followed by a snow-themed calendar for Benjamin and a red steam engine, 23 cars and a caboose for Colt. I’m not sure who was most excited to see the calendars go up – me or Colt. He visited his calendar time and time again throughout the day, peeking inside the cars and turning the buttons that once belonged to his great-grandma and now serve as makeshift wheels for his train. The next day, when the gifts and candy were added, his interest doubled at least. He discovered a candy cane that he really wanted to eat right away and white pompoms I had planned to be used for an indoor snowball fight. “Is it Christmas yet?” he asked after an episode of Paw Patrol. “Is it Christmas yet?” he asked his dad in the kitchen. “Is it Christmas yet?” he asked me as he left his dad and walked through the door to the dining room. “It’s so hard to wait,” he said, his 4-year-old brain straining to understand the same thing my 42-year-old brain struggles with. It can be hard to find joy in the waiting, but even when we can’t see things happening, God is working and light is on its way. Christmas – and all its gifts – are coming. Marketta Gregory is a former religion reporter who now shares her own journey of faith with readers. She lives in Rochester, New York, with her husband, their three young boys and one very vocal Pomeranian. To contact Gregory, email [email protected] or write to her at P.O. Box 12923, Rochester, NY 14612. You can also visit the Simply Faithful page on Facebook and follow her on Twitter (@MarkettaGregory). By Marketta Gregory More Content Now MailTribune.com By Marketta Gregory More Content Now Posted Dec. 18, 2014 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501