The history of German Advent

***image1***The first Advent calendar can be traced back to the 19th century. Families would make a chalkline for every day in December until Christmas Eve.

Today an Advent wreath or “Adventskranz”, made of circular, pine-branches  and four candles is used. The candles are lit to mark the four Sundays prior to Christmas Eve and the arrival of baby Jesus. During the 20th century the first children’s Advent calendars were produced and are still in use today.

On Dec. 1, kids open the first of 24 doors to reveal small gifts of chocolate or other small items.

The highlight is Christmas Eve or “Heilig Abend.” In the afternoon children leave their living rooms, while their mother decorates the tree in that unique German way. Once the decorating is finished a bell is rung marking the beginning of the festivities, now everyone may enter the room. During “die Bescherung” gifts are exchanged, a Christmas story is read and carols are sung, followed by a traditional carp dinner.

Many families also attend a midnight Christmas Mass. Dec. 25 and 26 are known as the “First and Second Day of Christmas.” These days are seen as quiet time and are spent visiting with relatives and eating goose and “Christstollen,” loaves of fruity, traditional, holiday bread, made one week before eating.