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Not to alarm you, but we\u2019re a matter of weeks away from Christmas \u2013 and already in Advent. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Advent, which begins on the Sunday closest to November 30, lasts for four weeks<\/a>. This year, it started on Sunday, November 30; the earliest it can begin<\/a> is November 27.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n But what does Advent mean, and why do we celebrate it? <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Per Britannica<\/a>, Advent comes from the Latin word \u201cAdventus,\u201d meaning \u201ccoming\u201d. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n In the Christian faith, it refers to the coming of Christ, celebrated at Christmas.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n It can also, the BBC shared<\/a>, be a \u201ctime of preparation when Christians think about the second coming of Christ and what they need to do to be ready for his return.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/div>\n The dates have not always been the same. For instance, under Bishop Perpetuus of Tours (461\u2013490), Advent used to involve<\/a> a fasting period which began on November 11. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Advent is linked to the Advent wreath, made from a circle of evergreen leaves used to represent eternal life. There are also four candles<\/a>, one for each of the Sundays \u2019til Christmas. Some add a fifth candle<\/a> that symbolises Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n This final candle, if present, is not usually lit<\/a> until Christmas begins. The other candles are traditionally lit <\/a>on each Sunday before Christmas.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Like Christmas trees<\/a>, these started out as a German tradition<\/a> \u2013 though Advent calendars took off a little later, in the 19th century. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n It was simply a way to count down to Christmas.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Traditional Advent calendars often had Bible verses or pictures<\/a>, though NPR pointed out<\/a> Advent calendars weren\u2019t the only way Germans built anticipation at the time \u2013 less long-lasting versions included keeping a chalk tally on walls and doors, and placing extra straws in the crib of a Nativity scene. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n So, though it took a few decades, perhaps it\u2019s not surprising that German publisher Gerhard Lang is credited<\/a> with the first printed Advent calendar, as well as the first Advent calendar with doors. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n And though the first chocolate version is believed to have been made in the \u201950s, it took Cadbury\u2019s about 20 years<\/a> to make the first mass-produced version in 1971. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Only in the \u201990s<\/a> did demand become high enough for them to keep the calendars in continuous production.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Because Advent does not always begin on December 1, though, they don\u2019t follow the exact dates every year \u2013 it is just easier<\/a> to go 1-25, or 1-24.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nAdvent means \u201ccoming\u201d <\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
Why do we have Advent calendars? <\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n