As November comes to an end and the cold holiday season arrives, another fun tradition makes the excitement of Christmas grow: the Advent calendar. In this blog, we delve into the origins of this cherished tradition, its evolution over the years, and how it continues to bring joy to families each December.
Advent (meaning ‘to come’ in Latin) is the period before Christmas when Christians prepare for and celebrate the anniversary of the birth of Christ. It is an ancient tradition that dates from the first century after the birth of Christ. The Advent calendar was first used by German Lutherans in the 19th and 20th centuries, and has since then spread to other Christian denominations.
Early versions of Advent calendars were simple, involving marking off the days until Christmas with a chalk line or lighting a new candle each day. Some German families hung 24 marked boxes or bags from a string, removing one each day until Christmas arrived.
When will the Advent Start in 2023?
The advent calendar will start from 3rd December 2023 to 24th December 2023.
The Beginning of the Advent Calendar
The ritual of counting down to Christmas originated among German Lutherans in the 19th century. Early versions of Advent calendars were simple, involving marking off the days until Christmas with a chalk line or lighting a new candle each day. Some German families hung 24 marked boxes or bags from a string, removing one each day until Christmas arrived.
The first printed calendar appeared in Munich, Germany, in 1903. Gerhard Lang, often called the 'father of the printed Advent calendar', was inspired by a handmade calendar his mother had made him as a child, where she attached a sweet to pieces of cardboard. Lang recreated this idea on a mass scale, pioneering the advent calendar's commercial journey.
Importance of the Advent Calendar
The Advent calendar plays a significant role in heightening the excitement and anticipation of the Christmas season. It serves as a visual and interactive countdown, allowing people to mark each day of December leading up to Christmas. With each passing day, the opening of a new window or door in the calendar offers a small surprise or treat, capturing the essence of the festive spirit and spreading joy. Through this simple and entertaining approach, the Advent calendar has become an integral part of many families' holiday traditions.
In addition to strengthening the festive atmosphere, the Advent calendar is a gentle reminder of the spiritual and religious aspects of the season. By focusing on the themes of "preparation" and "anticipation" during Advent, the calendar reinforces the significance of the nativity of Jesus. It serves as a tool to engage children and adults in understanding the biblical story and the true meaning of Christmas, connecting them to the essence of the holiday while enjoying the daily surprises awaiting them in the calendar.
The Role of Advent Calendar in Christmas Celebrations:
The Advent calendar plays a delightful dual role. Firstly, it helps children (and adults!) handle the anticipation of waiting for Christmas by offering a small token to enjoy each day. Secondly, it provides a simple and engaging way to reinforce the religious significance of the season by focusing on the 'preparation' and 'anticipation' themes of Advent.
In essence, the Advent calendar, whether simple or intricate, serves as a daily reminder of the approaching joy and wonder of Christmas. As each window opens and delights us with a tiny surprise, it brings the magic of the season into our homes, one day at a time. So, as December 1st rolls around, let’s embrace this age-old tradition, and add a sprinkle of Christmas cheer to our everyday count down to the big day!
Also don't forget to check out other articles similar to Christmas!
How to Book a Personalised Celebrity Video Wish for Christmas?
So, do you want to take it a step further and send Christmas wishes to your folks by their favourite celebrities? Yes, you can do that with us.
Wouldn't it be amazing if your folks are wished or invited for Christmas celebrations by popular celebrites such as Rachel White, Rohan Mehra, Tridha Choudhury, Angela Krislinzki, David Koechner, etc?
You can choose from a huge pool of over 12,000+ celebrities on our platform. Pick any one or two, or more if you like!😄
Birthday Gifts
Women
Men
Anniversary Gifts
Wedding Gifts
Search from 15000+ celebs
We now support international payments
