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What does Advent mean? - facts and advent calendars

Today is the 1st of Advent, but what does Advent really mean? Today we dig into some history and facts. We also take the opportunity to recommend some fun Christmas calendars in the blog world, as well as our most Christmassy posts. Wishing you a great 1st Advent!

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What is Advent?

Advent is a church holiday that falls on the four Sundays before Christmas Eve. First Advent is the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day, i.e. the Sunday between 27 November and 3 December. This celebration marks the beginning of both Christmas and the Christian church year. It is also the time when people really start to get into the mood for Christmas, with lights, Christmas tables, Christmas markets and perhaps some Christmas shopping.

Advent med Julmarknad i Gamla stan
Christmas market in the old town

History

Advent has its historical roots in the 'Advent Lent', which, like Easter, was 40 days long. So the church tradition is that this is a time of fasting, preparation and waiting for the celebration of the birth of Jesus at Christmas.

Island
Me (Helena) as the "wise man" in a Christmas play in Iceland in 1992 ...

What does Advent mean?

Well, what does Advent actually mean? The word is Latin for 'arrival' and refers to the birth of Christ. We simply wait!

Julkrubba
This is the guy we are waiting for! Photo: Pixabay

Advent candlesticks

In the 20th century, special Advent candlesticks began to be used in Sweden, with one candle for each Sunday until Christmas. These were a development of the 'Advent trees' brought to Sweden by Ersta Diakoni in the 1870s.

advent
One candle for every Sunday until Christmas. Photo: Pixabay

Advent calendars

The advent calendar is thanks to a creative German mother and her equally creative son. In the 1880s, the mother gave her son a piece of cardboard with 24 cookies to count down to Christmas Eve. When the son grew up, he became a partner in a printing company and developed his mother's idea. Today, calendars are popular and come in all shapes and sizes.

adventskalender
Traditional Advent calendar, photo: Pixabay

More Christmas inspiration in Advent?

Are you more excited about Christmas at this time of year? We have a lot of Christmas inspiration to offer.

Articles on Christmas food

Here you can read more about Christmas food, both in Sweden and in other countries:

Articles on Christmas traditions

Want to know more about Christmas traditions. Why do we do what we do? And how do others do it? Read more here:

Christmas gift ideas and tips and Christmas markets:

Last but not least, we offer some Christmas gift ideas and tips on Christmas markets around Europe:

Jultraditioner

What is your relationship with Advent? Do you light candles, or have some kind of Advent calendar?

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