The Advent Season officially started this year on Sunday, December 2nd.
What is "Advent"?
Christmas is a major holiday in Germany. Advent is the season leading up to Christmas. It begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, which can be as early as November 27th and as late as December 3rd (although Advent calendars usually start on December 1st - see more below). This year, the Advent season begun on Sunday, December 2nd.
While traditions can vary from area to area (and from town to town!), below are some general German Advent traditions.
German-way: Advent
Wikipedia: Advent
Wikipedia: Advent (German)
Adventskranz
In Germany, the four Sundays in Advent - the Adventssonntage - are often counted using an Adventskranz. The Adventskranz is a wreath, ususally made from evergreen, with four candles The candles each represent one of the four Sundays in Advent. Often, the candle representing the fourth Sunday will be a different color.
Each Sunday in Advent, one of the candles is lit while the family (or church congregation) sings Christmas carols.
German.about.com: Advent Wreath
Youtube: How to Make a German Advent Calendar (by GermanEmbassyPress)
Wikipedia: Advent wreath
Wikipedia: Adventkranz (German)
Adventskalendar
The Advent calendar, or Adventskalendar, is a definite favorite among children. The calendar comes in many shapes and forms, but generally there are 24 compartments or pockets. Although the date of the start of Advent changes every year, most Advent calendars just begin on December 1st, 24 days before Christmas. Each day during Advent, one may be opened, revealing a message, chocolate or other small gifts.
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| The German city of Hünfeld made its town hall into a giant Advent calendar by using the windows. |
Some people handmake their Advent calendars, but there are also many Advent calendars commercially available.
If you made an Advent calendar, take a picture of it and submit it for a chance to win an iPad or Kindle Paperwhite. Enter here before December 24th, 2012 (contest run by Goethe-Institut New York).
There are also many "virtual" Advent calendars that feature information about Christmas in Germany, recipes, prizes, and more:
- Germany Embassy in the USA (Germany.info): Advent Calendar
- Aboutgerman.net: Adventskalendar
- Vacation in Bavaria: Advent Calendar Competition
- SantaGames.net: Online Advent Calendar: designed for kids
Image Credits:
Advent Wreath: Andrea Schaufler, via Wikipedia
Hünfeld Advent Calendar: Wikipedia Contributor Hesse1309
House Advent Calendar: Harry London Chocolates, via Google Affliliate Ads
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