Advent calendar

An Advent calendar with a background depicting a nativity scene, surrounded by other Advent and Christmas symbols, including the Christmas tree and Star of Bethlehem

An Advent calendar is a special calendar used to count or celebrate the days in anticipation of Christmas. Since the date of the first Sunday of Advent varies, falling between November 27 and December 3 inclusive, the Advent calendar usually begins on December 1, although many include the previous few days that are part of the season. The Advent calendar was first used by German Lutherans in the 19th and 20th centuries but is now ubiquitous among adherents of many Christian denominations.[1][2] Many Advent calendars take the form of a large rectangular card with "windows",[2] of which there are usually 24: one for each day of December leading up to Christmas Eve. Often, these windows have a Bible verse and prayer printed on them, which Christian families incorporate as part of their daily Advent devotions.[1][3] Consecutive doors are opened every day leading up to Christmas. The calendar windows open to reveal an image, poem, a portion of a story (such as the story of the Nativity of Jesus) or a small gift, such as a toy or a chocolate item. Advent calendars range in theme, from sports to technology, often carrying Scripture verses.[1]

The Nordic Julekalender/Julkalender

Homemade Advent calendar

In Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Iceland and Finland there is also a tradition of having a so-called Julekalender (Swedish: Julkalender, Finnish: Joulukalenteri, Icelandic: Jóladagatal; the local word for a Christmas calendar, even though it's actually an advent calendar) in the form of a television and radio show, both starting on the first of December, and ending on Christmas Eve. It was first aired on Swedish TV in 1960 with the program Titteliture.[4] The first Julekalender aired in Denmark was Historier fra hele verden in 1962. The televised jul(e)kalender has now extended into the other Nordic countries. In Finland, the show is called Joulukalenteri. Over the years, there have been several different kinds of julekalender; some directed at children, some at both children and adults, and even some directed at adults alone. A classic example of a Julekalender enjoyed by children (as well as adults, if purely for nostalgic reasons) is the show Jul i Skomakergata.

There is also a Julkalender which airs on the radio in Sweden, leading up to Christmas.

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Mills, T.J. (May 10, 2010). The Twelve Blessings of Christmas. Thomas Nelson Inc. p. 54. ISBN 9780529124319. The Advent calendar was first used by Lutherans in the early 19th century. Early printed Advent calendars had Bible verses behind little cardboard doors.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Gassmann, Günther; Larson, Duane H.; Oldenburg, Mark W. (April 4, 2001). Historical Dictionary of Lutheranism. Scarecrow Press. p. 87. ISBN 9780810866201. The periods of Advent and Christmas have been especially dear to Lutherans and have provided ground for the creation and observation of customs: the rich tradition of hymn singing and church music, the Advent wreath as a sign of Christ's victory, the Advent calendar with its "windows," candles symbolizing new light in darkness, the varieties of Advent and Christmas cookies (gingerbread, fruit loaf, and so on) with several spices (originally seven, the holy number), the Christmas tree with glittering decoration and self-made figures and symbols as a reminder of the gold and treasures that the three wise men brought to the Christ Child, the cribs and tableaus within and out front of the churches and houses, and the greeting of Christmas morning by hymns and carols blown by trumpets and trombones from church towers.
  3. ↑ Black, Vicki K. (January 9, 2004). Welcome to the Church Year: An Introduction to the Seabury Bookssons of the Episcopal Church. Church Publishing, Inc. p. 17. ISBN 9780819225757. The Advent Calendar: Another way to mark the progress of Advent is the Advent calendar. These calendars come in a multitude of forms, from a simple paper calendar with flaps covering each of the days to fabric pockets on a background scene to painted wooden boxes with cubbies for small items. Again, many children enjoy this hands-on way of keeping Advent, and families can incorporate prayers and brief Scripture readings or nativity stores into the daily ritual of opening the Advent calendar.
  4. ↑ "Julkalendern 50 år - Bakgrund". Web.archive.org. December 10, 2007. Archived from the original on December 10, 2007. Retrieved December 9, 2011.

External links