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Advent
Advent is the time of preparation for the coming of Christ at Christmas. It is also the start of the liturgical year in the Roman Catholic Church. Find out more about this season, once known as the "little Lent," and incorporate traditional practices into your observance of Advent.
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Der Adventskranz, the Advent wreath, is one of the most widespread Christmas customs in German-speaking Europe. As we mentioned in Der Adventskalender, Advent is the four-week period leading up to Christmas. For Catholics and Protestants the Advent season begins on the first Sunday after November 26. On each of the four Advent Sundays leading up to Christmas, a new candle (die Kerze) is added to the Advent wreath. Advent wreaths come in many versions (pine, wood, plastic, metal, etc.), but they are always round and feature four (sometimes five) Advent candles.
In some families each Advent Sunday is devoted to lighting a new candle, singing some carols, and reading verses from the Bible. Although the Advent wreath is a very Christian tradition, its origins go back to pagan, pre-Christian times.
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Posted by ░S░i░l░a░n░d░i░ ☮ on 2010-12-05 16:25:39
Tagged: , Advent , Christmas Time , candle , light , 2010 , Advent wreath , Renate Eichert , ReSilU
