Inspiration and Meanings

Flip each card over to learn more about the meanings behind each item found in the story.

Key

Character

Place

Object

Word

Story Elements

Zachariah

Zachariah was named after Elizabeth’s husband in the Bible. Elizabeth and Zachariah are John the Baptist’s parents. Zachariah also means “remembered by Yahweh.” Zach finds out he is remembered by God in the story.

Labouré

Zachariah’s last name is Labouré because Saint Catherine Labouré is one of the saints of silence, which goes with the story behind Zachariah’s first name.

Father Joe

Father Joe is named for Jesus’s adoptive father, Joseph. He is a father-figure to Zachariah.

Mary

Mary is named for Jesus’s mother. She is mother-figure to Zachariah.

Elizabeth

Elizabeth is named for Zachariah’s wife in the Bible story.

Grandpa Gabe

Grandpa Gabe is named for the Angel Gabriel. He provides the Advent calendar just as the Angel Gabriel provided Zachariah with God’s plan.

Burra Din

Burra Din is the Indian English word for "Christmas." It represents the globalization of Christianity.

Latin Words

Latin was the universal language for the Catholic Church, but it is no longer used in everyday language.

Tribes

The tribes found in the story are based on the ancient Hebrew tribes under Abraham, who received the knowledge of God and then needed to be reminded of God’s gifts to mankind through the many prophets and Jesus.

Protectors

The protectors are based on saints, who guide people closer to Jesus.

Malum

Malum is the Latin word for "evil."

The Land of Spés
Cultural Influences: Germany, India, Pacific Islands, Norsemen

Spés

Spés is the Latin word for "hope."

Layout of the Land of Spés

Lie under a Christmas tree and look up. It’s all there.

Amal

Amal is the Indian name for "hope." Amal is based on Saint Jude Thaddeus for his hopefulness and understanding. St. Jude is the patron saint of lost causes, and Zach feels lost in the beginning of the story. St. Jude is often depicted in art carrying a club and an ax to symbolize his martyrdom.

Benignitas

Benignitas is the Latin word for "kindness."

Fiducia

Fiducia is the Latin word for "trust."

Votum

Votum is the Latin word for "hopeful prayer" or "promise."

Asha

Asha is the Indian name meaning "hope and life."

Aachal

Aachal is the Indian name meaning "steady."

Forest of Inspirare

The Forest of Inspirare is named after the Latin word "inspirare," meaning "inspiration."

Factum Mountains

The Factum Mountains are named after the Latin word "factum," meaning "action."

Confido Cave

Confido Cave is named after the Latin word "confido," meaning "confidence."

Adventurus River

Adventurus River is named after the Latin word "adventurus," meaning "adventure."

Lumen Hills

The Lumen Hills are named after the Latin word "lumen," meaning "light."

The Land of Fidem
Cultural Influences: Germany, Pacific Islands, India

Fidem

Fidem is the Latin word for "faith."

Layout of the Land of Fidem

The layout of the Land of Fidem is inspired by gingerbread houses and tropical Christmas celebrations.

Vera

Vera is an Indian name meaning "faithful." Vera is inspired by Saint Therese of Lisieux for her childlike faith. St. Therese is represented by flowers, especially roses.

Patientia

Patientia is the Latin word for "patience."

Humilis

Humilis is the Latin word for "humility."

Mollitia

Mollitia is the Latin word for "resilient."

Barri

Barri is the Indian name meaning "innocent."

Eadrich

Eadrich is the Indian name meaning "wealthy ruler."

Livi

Livi is the Indian name meaning "olive branch" or a symbol of peace.

Tubi

Tubi is the Middle Eastern name meaning "brightening."

Ria

Ria is the Indonesian name meaning "joy" or "river."

Alab

Alab is the Filipino name meaning "passion" or "blaze."

Gardens of Gratia

The Gardens of Gratia are named after the Latin word "gratia," meaning "thanks."

Fideas

Fideas is the Latin word for "faith."

Velox Plains

Velox Plains is named after the Latin word "velox," meaning "swift."

Solis

Solis is the Latin word for "sun."

Consano Lake

Consano Lake is named after the Latin word "consano," meaning "healing."

Innoxius Stream

Innoxius Stream is named after the Latin word "innoxius," meaning "harmless."

The Land of Gaudium
Cultural Influences: Germany, Russia, Ireland

Gaudium

Gaudium is the Latin word for "joy."

Layout of the Land of Gaudium

The layout of the Land of Fidem is inspired by the Siberian Tundra and Santa’s home in the North Pole.

Jovie

Jovie is the Russian name meaning "joyful." Jovie is based on Saint Philip Neri for her joyfulness and love for people. St. Philip is known for his affability and is the patron saint of joy and laughter.

Caritas

Caritas is the Latin word for "love."

Animo

Animo is the Latin word for "courage."

Misericordia

Misericordia is the Latin word for "mercy."

Jovanna

Jovanna is the Slavic name meaning "God is gracious."

Camp Skotovody

Camp Skotovody is named after the Russian word "skotovody," meaning "ranchers" or "pastoralists."

Mir

Mir is the Russian word for "peace."

Zakhar

Zakhar is the Russian word meaning "the Lord will remember."

Bol

Bol is the Russian name meaning "pain."

Khorosho

Khorosho is the Russian name meaning "good."

Umnaya

Umnaya is the Russian name meaning "clever."

Krasota

Krasota is the Russian name meaning "beauty."

Pavel (Pavie)

Pavel is the Russian word meaning "small."

Wisps

Wisps are Celtic legendary faeries who guide one to their fate.

Gigant Mountains and River

The Gigant Mountains and River are named after the Latin word "gigant," meaning "giant."

Bruma

Bruma is the Latin word for "snow" or "mist."

The Land of Pax
Cultural Influences: Japan, Eastern World Healing, India

Pax

Pax is the Latin word for "peace."

Layout of the Land of Pax

The layout of the land of Pax is inspired by the mountains of the Eastern Asian coast and Eastern temples.

Kazuya

Kazuya is the Japanese name for "calm, harmony, and peace." Kazuya is based on Saint Dymphna for his focus on healing and peacefulness. St. Dymphna created a place of healing for the people of her time.

Pondero

Pondero is the Latin word for "meditate."

Gratium

Gratium is the Latin word for "grateful."

Identitatis

Identitatis is the Latin word for "identity."

Chaya

Chaya is the Hebrew name meaning "life."

Kumi

Kumi is the Japanese name meaning "beautiful."

Somnium Sea

The Somnium Sea is named after the Latin word "somnium," meaning "dream."

Iyashi Temple

Iyashi Temple is named after the Japanese word "iyashi," meaning "healing."

Tsuki Village

Tsuki Village is named after the Japanese word "tsuki," meaning "moon."

Salvator Island

Salvator Island is named after the Latin word "salvator," meaning "saviour."

Castle Ruins

The Castle Ruins are inspired by the history of the tribes of Israel.

Nativitatis
Cultural Influences: the Nativity

The Prince and His Family

The Prince and his family are Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.

Triangle Tattoos

The triangle tattoos come together to make the four-pointed Christmas star.

Dogwood Tree

Why is the wooden Advent Calendar a dogwood tree? Legend tells a story of the dogwood tree providing the wood for Jesus’s cross. When the author was a little girl, she was told the legend and was shown the beautiful cross at the center of the dogwood tree flowers.

Cultural Influences

Why cultural influences from around the world? These varied cultural influences represent the globalization of Christianity. Despite our differences, the world comes together to celebrate Hope, Faith, Joy, and Peace.