A-Z CHRISTMAS STEEPED IN TRADITIONS

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A IS FOR ADVENT, ANGELIC HOSTS, AWAY IN A MANGER

Although Advent Sunday is four Sundays before Christmas, in secular society the keeping of an Advent calendar is a popular tradition that usually begins on December 1st.  Advent calendars stem from German Lutherans, who would count down the days until Christmas by marking a chalk line on the door.  Printed calendars with 24 little doors to open day by day, are thought to have been first prpduced at the turn of the twentieth century by Gerhard Lang; however, the practice ceased during the Second World War due to paper rationing.  German Richard Sellmer produced the first post-war calendar called 'Little Town', which was the first advent calendar in the United States.  Today, calendars are available with religious and traditional festive designs.  Some calendars are home made with pockets for sweets or treats which are a lovely alternative and can be brought out year after year and passed down through generations for an extra little touch of nostalgia.

From The English Home Magazine