What is Advent? Here’s everything you need to know

Christmas is coming up soon, and with it, the season of Advent.

Have you ever wondered about the origin of Advent, why it is celebrated, and how it is observed?

What are the symbols associated with Advent, and what do they mean? In this pre-Christmas time, there are many exciting things to discover.

Additionally, we will provide you with some tips for creating Advent cards.

What is Advent, and what is its history?

As the holiday season approaches, your advent calendar is patiently waiting to be opened – a daily reminder of the joys that await you.

Beyond the simple pleasure of a sweet treat, Advent is a time for reflection and anticipation, a time to cherish the moments that truly matter.

So take a moment to pause and appreciate the deeper meaning of the season before diving into your daily chocolate.

Advent means arrival and is primarily an expression of the beginning of the liturgical year. It comes out on the four Sundays before Christmas Day and symbolizes waiting for the birth and coming of Jesus Christ.

These four Sundays full of anticipation are also a time of Lent, when feasting is not to be done and weddings and other entertainment should also be avoided.

The Advent liturgy dates back to the 5th century AD and has roots in Ravenna, Italy. Originally, it was not determined whether it was four or six Sundays before Christmas Day, but Pope Gregory the Great resolved these disputes.

The first Sunday of Advent is usually between November 27 and December 3, but the fourth Sunday can also fall on Christmas Day.

Liturgical Advent also consists of the division of Advent into the coming of Jesus at the end of time, i.e., by December 16, and the second part of Advent is the expectation of the birth of the Savior.

We are very familiar with the designations of iron, bronze, silver, and golden Advent Sundays, but they are said to have been born in the pre-Christmas commercial rush.

The most famous symbols of Advent

The symbol of Advent is certainly the Advent wreath, which decorates many households every year. The original Advent wreath was supposedly hung, but today, we already know it in many forms—not only round ones, which reflect the symbol of infinity and victory, but also straight or unusually decorated ones.

The candles on the Advent wreath also have their order. Traditionally, three purple or blue candles, which are a sign of repentance, expectation, and silence, and one pink candle were used.

On the first Sunday of Advent, the first purple candle, the so-called candle of the prophets, was lit, celebrating the prophecy of the birth of the Savior.

The second purple candle, the so-called Bethlehem candle, is lit on the second Sunday of Advent and represents Jesus’ manger.

On the third Sunday of Advent, the pink or shepherd’s candle is lit, representing the joy of Lent’s end.

The third purple candle, called the angel candle, is lit on the fourth Sunday of Advent. It represents peace.

Mistletoe is another symbol of Advent. But what is the significance of this plant in our homes? In particular, she should bring blessings and happiness to the house. The Celts even associate it with fertility blessings. A kiss under the mistletoe can also bring love that lasts all year.

Poinsettias decorate our homes with their beautiful red-green leaves. Their inclusion in the Advent period is not so original, but due to the diligent Paul Ecke, the third of the Ecke generation, who started growing poinsettias. Paul promoted this flower with secret growing technology on Christmas TV shows.

Bethlehem is a clear symbol of Advent, as it is related to the expectation of the birth of Jesus. Perhaps the most important symbol for us is, among other things, the Christmas tree, which represents eternal life.

The advent calendar has 24 boxes filled with small gifts, mostly chocolate. Today, we have a rich selection, so we can also choose advent calendars with cosmetics, tea, or toys. The original intention of this calendar is to shorten the children’s wait for Christmas Day and make the long wait more pleasant for them. It is also a means of bringing biblical events closer to them.

During this period, Nicholas Day is celebrated in many countries, which is an exceptional event, especially for children. Good children are given trinkets like sweets, fruit, nuts, or a small toy.

Naughty children are scared of the devil and are given potato skins.

When does Advent start?

This year (2024), Advent begins on Sunday, December 1st, and ends on Tuesday, December 24. So it takes 24 days in total.

Advent 2025 will begin on Sunday, November 30, and jump to Wednesday, December 24.

How to explain to children what Advent means

Even the smallest children can understand Advent. Various visual aids, symbols, or activities associated with Advent can help.

The first aid is the advent wreath. We can explain to the children what it means, why the candles are lit, and when. Each week we can also read them a Bible story or a short text that is unique to this time for this occasion.

Of course, baking and decorating cookies is a favorite activity of the children. It’s a lot of mess, but it’s worth it. You can also tell the children why the cookies are baked on this occasion. And why? To prepare it for a big celebration. At the same time, we can enjoy and give thanks for our abundance.

The advent calendar is also an excellent tool for counting each remaining day. The more boxes are opened, the more the children will enjoy it.

Demonstrating the nativity scene will also help people understand what happened at Christmas. You can use photos, various graphics, and coloring books or create your own crib with the children. Then, you can tell what happened there.

Seizing the opportunity and teaching the children an Advent poem or song is ideal. Since they also tend to be quite tricky to understand, we can bring it a little closer to them.

What are the Advent traditions?

In addition to the possibility of fasting, other activities are typical for Advent. However, fasting does not necessarily mean abstaining from food; it can be a decision to limit some activity. In short, it makes us quieter and wait for that magical time.

Most of the time, however, we are rather stressed and busy. We want to do everything at the last minute. Yes, there are many. Shopping for gifts, a big cleaning, decorating the home and baking cookies.

Baking cookies is an inherent part of Advent, as it is part of the preparations for the rest period. First, we start baking cookies that have to sit, especially gingerbread.

Every Sunday, we also sit down at the table and light the candles on the Advent wreath. As the number of burning candles increases, so do our expectations.

A few tips for Advent cards

Would you like to wish your family members, friends, or colleagues a beautiful Advent? That’s no problem. We have some tips for text advent cards!

I wish you many blessings and good times! A very Happy First Advent Sunday to you.

May the first Advent candle ignite love and peace in your hearts, which will accompany you throughout the pre-Christmas season!

May this holy time bring you new promises, wishes, dreams, and hopes. Have a Beautiful Advent!

Let the flame of the Advent candles light a bonfire of love, peace, and family togetherness in your hearts! Happy Iron, Bronze, Silver, and Gold Sunday!

We sincerely wish you and your entire family a relaxing, peaceful, joyful Advent season.

I wish that the Advent season fills your and your family’s hearts with love and peace that will accompany you every step of the way!

Advent is coming. Don’t miss anything; you have everything important. When another beautiful Christmas comes after a year, may you enjoy it. They wish you this from the bottom of their hearts…