Seeing the Season: Advent Symbols That Tell the Story
Advent is one of the most visually rich seasons of the Christian year. Long before a single note of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” is sung, the church is already telling the story, through color, light, symbol, and space. The wreath’s slow-growing glow, the deep blues and purples of the paraments, and the flicker of candles all invite us into a rhythm of waiting and wonder.
At Carrot Top Studio,
we love exploring how these visual symbols deepen faith. They’re more than decoration—they’re sacred reminders. The evergreen wreath speaks of eternal life; lighted candles of Christ’s coming; stars of divine guidance; and paths or roads of our personal and collective journey toward hope fulfilled.
Why Symbols Matter
In worship, symbols quietly speak what words often cannot. They connect generations, spark memory, and invite even the youngest among us into the story. When children recognize an Advent wreath or the colors of the season, they begin to understand that faith is not just spoken, it’s seen and felt.
Visuals also remind adults to slow down and pay attention. When we notice the smallest detail, a spark of candlelight, a simple manger illustration, a banner’s curve that looks like a road, we are drawn again to the mystery of the incarnation.
Advent Bingo: A Creative Way to See Anew
That’s why we created Advent Bingo, a digital download that turns these meaningful symbols into a playful, intergenerational way to learn. Designed for use in Sunday School classrooms, family devotion time, or intergenerational gatherings, it encourages participants to look closely at their worship space, discovering Advent’s beauty symbol by symbol.
As players mark off images like candles, wreaths, angels, stars, and manger scenes, they’re invited to reflect on what each means. A simple round of bingo becomes a doorway into conversation:
Why is the star so important?
What does the color blue remind us of?
How does the flame of one candle change the whole room?
This resource helps make the invisible visible, nurturing both curiosity and reverence.
Light the Way
Whether you’re a pastor, teacher, or parent, we hope this little game becomes a bridge—connecting people of all ages to the story of Advent through art, play, and faith-filled conversation.
We love creating tools that help make worship more visual, meaningful, and fun—and Advent Bingo is just one example! If you’d like to receive more creative resources like this straight to your inbox, we invite you to sign up for Carrot Top Studio emails.
