The time of Advent starts every year four Sundays before Christmas. Officially this is the date when the new church year begins. Advent comes from the Latin word "adventus" meaning "arrival". This means the arrival of Jesus Christ on Earth, of course, which is celebrated at Christmas, as is well known.

In Germany people put up Advent wreaths. Usually these wreaths consist of fir twigs and are decorated with all kinds of small things (baubles, figures, bows, etc.). One thing all wreaths have in common are four candles. On each Advent Sunday one more candle is being lit, until on the last Advent Sunday all candles are burning.

The children (and also some adults) have got Advent calendars. These are available in many types. There are Advent calendars made from cardboard with colorful pictures on them and small doors behind which one can find little pictures or chocolate figures. Other Advent calendars contain small gifts. There are also pop-up calendars showing whole Christmas scenes, and poster calendars where one has to add another picture each day and which contain a story to each picture.

Advent is also the time of cookie baking. Apart from simple cookies with colorful decoration or sugar frosting, gingerbread, "Spekulatius" (thin cookies with relief pictures) and cinnamon stars are very popular. Very beautiful are the many lights of stars, wooden arches, etc. which can be seen everywhere in the windows. In many churches cribs are put up which sometimes are very old and beautiful. Not to forget the many Christmas markets, the internationally most well-known of which are certainly the Christkindl's Market in Nuremberg and the Striezelmarkt in Dresden.

On the other hand, Advent is a time of huge stress for some people, as they hurry from one Christmas party to another and also forget to buy their Christmas presents in time. By this the real meaning of Advent is often forgotten!

Last update: January 18, 2009