What Is Advent?
Advent is about more than just 24 little pieces of chocolate! It’s an important part of the Christian calendar, leading up to Christmas Day.
The word Advent comes from the Latin ‘adventus’ which means ‘arrival’ or ‘coming’. This refers to the birth of Christ, which is celebrated on Christmas Day (25th December). Advent starts on the closest Sunday to 30th November (this year it started on 2nd December) and ends on Christmas Eve.
What Are Advent Traditions?
As well as opening an Advent Calendar door each day, an activity that happens in many people’s homes, there are a number of other traditions that are observed both in the UK and across the globe. In the UK, the most widely recognised symbol of Advent is the Advent wreath. Four red candles stand in a circle and each one represents one of the four Sundays of Advent. A fifth white candle that sits in the centre of the circle is lit on Christmas Day.
Advent Wreath
In China, Christians light up their homes with colourful paper lanterns, and stick paper pagodas in their windows. Germans, as we do in the UK, create five-candle wreaths around which they sing carols each time they light another candle.
In Hungary, they make special advent treats called Beigli. A Beigli is a rolled crust, traditionally filled with poppy seeds or walnuts.
A Hungarian Beigli
Advent is a time of preparation in many other countries. In Poland, for example, people stay inside during the long, dark evenings making decorations for the Christmas tree and handmade gifts.
At Munchachos we are celebrating Advent the best way we know how – with a tasty seasonal worldwise fact each day. Take a look at our Instagram Stories to find out more!
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