Advent, Advent, a little light is burning
Wednesday, 01.12.2021
First one, then two, then three, then four, then the Christ Child is at the door. Which saints Christians remember during Advent and which customs accompany the pre-Christmas period.
Advent and its traditions
As we all know, anticipation is the greatest joy of all. We celebrate Christmas on 24 December. So until then, we use the time to prepare for it. But this does not mean simply ticking items off wish lists or planning the Christmas dinner. During Advent, the focus is on the arrival of God made man. Christians prepare, on the one hand, for the birth of Jesus and, on the other, for his return to earth. This anticipation is also reflected in the name „Advent“, which is derived from the Latin „adventus“ and means „arrival“.
Even though preparations for this holy season nowadays tend to consist of baking biscuits and singing carols, Advent was originally characterised by fasting and abstinence. The duration of Advent has also changed. The period of preparation used to last six weeks, until Pope Gregory I shortened it to four weeks. However, Milan is the only place where Advent is still celebrated for six weeks. It is a time steeped in many old traditions.
Advent wreath
The brilliant idea for the Advent wreath came from the German theologian Johann Hinrich Wichern around 180 years ago. It was inspired by the orphans in his care who were living in a children’s home. Only he knows how often he actually heard the question, „When is it finally Christmas?“. Probably more than once, because to make the wait easier for the children, Pastor Wichern placed candles on a cartwheel – nineteen small ones and four large ones. The small candles marked the days of the week from Monday to Saturday. The large candles, on the other hand, he lit on the four Sundays of Advent.
Pine branches – the material so typically associated with Advent wreaths – only became commonplace towards the end of the 19th century. Nowadays, Advent wreaths are also made from wood, wrought iron, evergreen leaves, pine cones and even plastic and porcelain. However different they may look, they all have one thing in common: unlike the very first Advent wreath, they now only have four candles.
Advent calendar
The Advent calendar was invented just thirty years after the Advent wreath. It, too, is now an integral part of Advent traditions. However, the custom that emerged back then bore little resemblance to today’s generously filled Advent calendars. The first Advent calendars consisted of individual pictures, which were hung up one by one each day in December. Elsewhere, people simply wiped away one of 24 chalk marks instead. It was only around a hundred years ago that the first printed Advent calendars appeared on the market. These developed into ‘hidden-object’ Advent calendars with little doors to open. It was only later that small pieces of chocolate were first hidden behind these doors. Today, the Advent calendar has reached new heights of popularity: from tea, cosmetics, toys and books right through to flower seeds and chocolates, Advent calendars are available in all sorts of variations.
Barbara branches
The Roman Catholic Church commemorates Saint Barbara on 4 December. She died a martyr's death in 306. According to legend, she was locked in a tower by her father to prevent her from getting married. After she managed to escape, Barbara was betrayed and beheaded by her own father. He is said to have been struck by lightning. To commemorate her, many Christians cut a branch of flowers on 4 December to place in a vase at home. If they are in full bloom at Christmas, the branches are said to bring good luck according to ancient custom. Even weddings are said to be predicted in this way.
St Nicholas festival
Although they are often confused, Saint Nicholas has absolutely nothing to do with Father Christmas. Whilst the latter was invented as the advertising mascot for a drinks brand, Saint Nicholas was born around 280 AD and was consecrated as Bishop of Myra in the year 300. He is said to have become aware of the plight of three daughters from a destitute family. To enable them to get married, Nicholas is said to have secretly thrown three little bags of gold into their house. This is also the basis for one of the Advent traditions. On the evening of 6 December, children place their boots outside the door so that Nicholas can fill them with sweets.
Mary Conception
Mary is arguably the most famous of all mothers. 8 December is dedicated to her. On this day, Christians commemorate the Mother of God, who was without sin. In Austria, this day is even a statutory public holiday with a tradition stretching back centuries. The great significance of the „Immaculate Conception“ for the Roman Catholic Church is also evident in Rome. Every year, the Pope marks this feast day with a prayer addressed to the Virgin Mary in the Piazza di Spagna.
Lucien lights
Christians commemorate Saint Lucia on 13 December. According to legend, she is said to have carried candles on her head so that she could use both hands to carry food and drink. It is said that Saint Lucia provided for persecuted Christians in their underground hiding places. Many Advent customs have grown out of this. In Sweden, the eldest daughter of the household wears a wreath of candles on her head and parades through the village as the ‘Lucien bride’. In Upper Bavaria, children make little boats shaped like houses, which they fit with candles and set adrift on the river after dark. In many parts of Italy, folk festivals and processions of lights also take place. Elsewhere, children place tea lights in the windows to herald the end of the dark days.
You can read about how Admont Abbey celebrates Advent on the page Advent at Admont Abbey.
