What is an Advent Calendar, and Why is it so Relevant for Christmas?
Photo by Torsten Dettlaff
Advent, in the Christian calendar, is the season of waiting and expectation leading up to Christmas, the celebration of Christ’s birth and the start of the end times. Advent calendars are special calendars used to mark down the days before Christmas, which is celebrated on December 25 each year. Based on when Christmas falls, an Advent calendar will include anywhere from 22 days to 28 days of activities.
On December 25, we celebrate the day Jesus was born. There is nothing that supports the claim that Christ was born on December 25, yet this date has been used as a time of commemoration and introspection for Christians throughout the ages. If you would like to gift someone a complete advent calendar or buy it for yourself, then Holyart.com is the place to be. You will find one according to your taste. People often make calendars themselves with whatever gift they find suitable.
Origin of Advent Calendars
The German business Sellmer Advents-Kallender claims that the tradition of using a tally mark drawn in chalk to indicate the passage of time between Thanksgiving and Christmas was first used in the late nineteenth century by German households.
The invention of the Advent Calendar is generally attributed to a German publisher called Gerhard Lang. In the twentieth century, he created cardboard ones with doors that were designed to be accessed daily as one door was for each day till Christmas, and during the 1920s, he developed the notion of using perforations to provide even more variety in the openings. One might open each door and discover an image or Bible text to meditate on.
It wasn’t until Newsweek released a picture of President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s grandkids with an Advent Calendar in 1954 that the tradition took off across the U. S. Still, it was not until 1958 that British confectionery maker Cadbury added a little piece of chocolaty goodness to each of the miniature doors of the Advent Calendar. Then the trend of adding chocolates and other edibles became big.
Does it have to Be Religious?
A diverse selection of Christian and non-denominational Advent calendars is available, each depicting religious scenes and providing space for daily reflections. On the other hand, in contrast to an Advent garland or Advent candle lights, which are in general only used in the context of religious ceremonies, Advent boards are now a widespread and easily identifiable component of pop culture.
Advent calendars are a delightful custom many people enjoy throughout the holiday season. These calendars assist individuals in tallying down the days until Christmas by providing them with daily small gifts or surprises. There is a wide range of Advent calendars today, many of which are not strongly connected to their religious beginnings. This is due to the fact that their appeal as a cultural custom has risen over the years.
Family Advent Calendars
Customized Advent calendars may be found in a wide variety of formats. Several of them are quite obviously Christian, whereas others appeal to the more general and humanistic parts of the Christmas season. A nativity Advent calendar is a great option for families who wish to maintain the holiday’s emphasis on Christ. In contrast, other calendars focus on events throughout Christ’s life and his disciples, as recorded in the Bible. These Advent calendars include a liturgical component that is integrated into the daily countdown. Usually, this takes the shape of brief readings that follow the calendar. Using one of these calendars is a simple way for families to begin a meaningful Advent practice.
Advent calendars with a Christian tone are useful, but many households are able to retain their emphasis on Christ even while using a calendar that isn’t explicitly religious. These calendars make it possible to keep track of the days leading up to Christmas; it is still up to the adults to lead their children in a meaningful Advent devotional. Advent calendars, whether they’re made of LEGO bricks or cardboard and loaded with chocolates, can be an exceptional idea for having fun with the family together and provide a meaningful backdrop for spiritual discussions.