With an eye to the unassigned dates on your list, read chapters 3, 4, 5 and 6. Select persons to remember or activities to do, filling in the open dates until no free dates remain. As you do so, read about the symbols that apply to the dates selected above and jot a note about all of the current days of Advent, as well as their assigned symbol numbers. The symbol numbers may be found in the caption under each symbol in chapter 10, where all of the symbols in this book are listed (in their order of appearance) with a key and cross-reference.
Chapter 3 surveys the biblical foundation of the three themes of Advent (past, future and present comings of Christ) and the three key figures of Advent (Isaiah, Mary and John the Baptist). Special holy days and persons essential to Advent but lacking a fixed date are covered in Chapter 4, including the four Sundays of Advent (already noted on your list) and easily overlooked figures, such as Joseph, who need an assigned date.
The saints and the Great ‘O’ antiphons comprise Chapter 5. When liturgical calendars are combined, every date during Advent, except December 11 and 15, commemorates a saint. A calendar that is used as a “Saints of Advent” commemoration calendar is conceivable, but the purpose of this household calendar is to “sacramentalize” and sharpen our present habituated lives. Therefore, you will more than likely select only a few persons from Chapter 5, beyond the principal Advent commemorations of Andrew, Nicholas, Mary, and the ‘O’ antiphons, for your calendar.
Chapter 6 contains the miscellany of the Christmas season as applied to Advent. Many symbols are offered to serve the variety of ways that folks observe Advent. Be selective and focused in making your choices. You may add something new or different next year.
On your dated list, note activities and traditions that are essential to your household and faith community, and then complement them with symbols to enhance your Advent vigilance. In sum, the process is one of working from known dates to assigning meaning to open dates. A completed list may be something like this (dates listed above are bold):
| Date | Observance | Note inside flap or pocket | Symbol |
| November 30 | 1 Advent | First Sunday of Advent. What is Advent? Who was Andrew? Set up Advent calendar and make wreath. | 21/P-l* |
| December 1 | Fire | Stock the woodpile—what does fire symbolize? | 72 |
| 2 | Silence | Practice a day of silence. | 87 |
| 3 | Birthday | Help mom celebrate her birthday. | 62 |
| 4 | Isaiah | What is a prophet? | 17 |
| 5 | Lights | Hang outdoor lights. What do they symbolize? | 76 |
| 6 | Nicholas | Why hang stockings? Write Christmas list. | 40/P-2 |
| 7 | 2 Advent | What is the theme of the Second Sunday of Advent? | 22 |
| 8 | Mary | Who was Mary, and why is she special? | 18/P-3 |
| 9 | Pet Birthday | Be kind to all living creatures. How are animals kin? | 58 |
| 10 | Angels | What is an angel? | 27 |
| 11 | Baking | Make cookie dough. | 59 |
| 12 | Decorating | Bake and decorate cookies. | 60 |
| 13 | Lucy | Enjoy a “Lucy breakfast” and mail gifts. | 46/75 |
| 14 | 3 Advent | Why do we rejoice on the Third Sunday of Advent? | 23 |
| 15 | IS Christmas tree | Get the Christmas tree. | 66 |
| 16 | Joseph | Why is Joseph important? | 29 |
