ADVENT
Started in America
What is Advent?
The days followed by Christmas.
It begins on the Sunday nearest November 30, the feast day of St. Andrew the Apostle, and covers four Sundays.
Because the day it begins changes from year to year, so does the length of each Advent season. In 2015, Advent begins on November 29.
The History of Advent
Advent has probably been observed since the fourth century. Originally, it was a time when converts to Christianity readied themselves for baptism.
Advent Wreaths
Advent wreaths have their origins in the folk traditions of northern Europe, where in the deep of winter people lit candles on wheel-shaped bundles of evergreen.
Both the evergreen and the circular shape symbolizes ongoing life.
The candlelight gave comfort at this darkest time of the year, as people looked forward to the longer days of spring.
Advent Calenders
An advent calendar is a card or poster with twenty-four small doors, one to be opened each day from December 1 until Christmas Eve.
Each door conceals a picture.
This popular tradition arose in Germany in the late 1800s and soon spread throughout Europe and North America.
Originally, the images in Advent calendars were derived from the Hebrew Bible.