There are places on Earth where Santa Claus is not important. No, I don't mean because of religion. I mean, because it just isn't Santa who is involved with Christmas...
In Germany it is the Christkind (Christ child) who brings the presents. To make the wait for this day more bearable, Advent Calenders were invented some time in the 19th century. Just about every German child has one of these. This year, I will share one with you all, day by day, all during the Advent Season.
Today is the first Sunday in Advent. The word Advent comes from the Latin word advenio, which means to come. This refers to the birth of Christ at Christmas. There are four Advent Sundays, and then it is almost Christmas. Depending on which day of the week is the 24th of December, Advent can be longer or shorter, but the calenders usually start with December 1st.
This is an Advent Calender I have had for a long time. It is a bit old-fashioned, but I like that. 
Let's hunt for that magical first door, which I could have opened yesterday already. 
Open it... 
It is a street sign, and it says: Bethlehem, Land of Judea
Now today is already December 2nd, so we will look for another little door: 
and open it! 
Here the artist got carried away. It is an Advent Wreath, but it already has three candles burning, which would never happen on a second of December!
If you like, you can join me every day till the 24th of December, and we will open all those little doors, one after another!
Have a magical Advent Season!
Cristina
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Comments: 34
Your old advent calendar is lovely. I remember getting them for our children when they were small. They always looked forward to opening each little window to discover what was hidden behind.
Advent- is a special time of year for me- and usually I have an Advent wreath up by now, as well as the Calender. Not so this year- to busy preparing for a concert Tuesday.
I will indeed look forward to seeing your beautiful Calender..
Danke Schoern!
Wolfgang
I was not raised Catholic so Advent is something new to me. I am getting educated while earning points!
In Germany you don't need to be Catholic to live with Advent. It is so much fun that really lots of people celebrate this time in some way even if they have no particular religious affiliation at all...
I always put Scandinavian style advent arches (candles) in all the main windows of the house from the first Sunday in Advent.
I do this due to a Catholic upbringing (now Agnostic!) and because it's FUN!
http://www.christmasmarkets.com/christmas-markets-region.asp?regionid=12
I appreciate learning more about the calendars.
By the way, I answered at least one of your questions on my poem.
Personally I don't like the ones with chocolate behind every door. I prefer the old-fashioned ones where there are things to see and you can think about...