You don’t need an Advent calendar to know that Christmas is coming, but opening a little numbered door to reveal a prize is an idea that everyone – religious or not – can get behind. Here’s a brief history of Advent calendars.

WHAT IS ADVENT?

Advent is the four-week period beginning on the Sunday nearest the feast day of St. Andrew the Apostle (November 30) through the following three Sundays. Historians estimate that Advent, which derives from the Latin word for coming, has been celebrated since the 4th century. Originally, the period was a time for converts to Christianity to prepare for baptism, but it’s now more commonly associated with the anticipation of the anniversary of Christ’s birth on December 25.

ADVENT CALENDAR ORIGINS

Advent calendars typically don’t follow the period of Advent described above. Instead, they begin on December 1 and mark the 24 days before Christmas. Today, most Advent calendars include paper doors that open to reveal an image, Bible verse, or piece of chocolate. The tradition dates to the mid-19th century, when German Protestants made chalk marks on doors or lit candles to count the days leading up to Christmas. The first known Advent Calendar which is from 1851. Other early styles were the Advent clock or the Advent candle – a candle for each of the 24 days until Christmas, like today’s Advent wreath. In religious families little pictures were hung up on the wall – one for each day in December. Another tradition was to paint chalk strokes on the door, one per day until Christmas Eve.

THE FIRST PRINTED ADVENT CALENDARS

The German Gerhard Lang is widely considered the producer of the first printed Advent calendar in the early 1900s.

Around the same time, a German newspaper  the “Neues Tagblatt Stuttgart” included an Advent calendar insert as a gift to its readers. Lang’s calendar was inspired by one that his mother had made for him and featured 24 colored pictures that attached to a piece of cardboard. Lang modified his calendars to include the little doors that are a staple of most Advent calendars today and they became a commercial success in Germany. Production stopped due to a cardboard shortage during World War II, but resumed soon after, with Richard Sellmer emerging as the leading producer of commercial Advent calendars.

Dwight D. Eisenhower is often credited for the proliferation of the Advent calendar tradition in the United States. During his presidency, Eisenhower was photographed opening an Advent calendar with his grandchildren and the photo ran in several national newspapers.

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THE $50,000 ADVENT CALENDAR

One of the most expensive Advent calendars to ever hit the shelves was a 4-foot, Christmas-tree shaped structure carved from burrelm and walnut wood available through Harrods in 2007. Each of the $50,000 calendar’s 24 compartments housed a piece of organic chocolate from Green & Black, with proceeds going to support cocoa farmers in Belize.

THE WORLD’S LARGEST ADVENT CALENDAR

According to Guinness World Records, the world’s largest advent calendar was built in 2007 at the St. Pancras train station in London. The massive calendar, which measured 232 feet and 11 inches tall, and 75 feet and 5 inches wide, celebrated the reopening of the station following a renovation.

THE LEGO ADVENT CALENDAR

For several years, LEGO has produced an Advent calendar set, featuring figures or constructible accessories behind every numbered door.

source: sellmer-verlag.de, mentalfloss

And now that you are familiar with the history of the advent calendars watch the video and fill in the gaps in the script.

Advent is the start of the Christmas season in Britain, it begins four …… (1) before Christmas. Advent calendars are a …… (2) to Christmas Day, they start on the 1st December. The windows of the calendar are opened every day leading up to Christmas where you can see a pretty picture or find some chocolate inside.

The very first advent calendars were produced in the early 1800’s in …… (3) although not the cardboard type we get these days. Christians thought of different ways of counting down the days from the start of Advent to Christmas Day. At first Christians kept track of the days by making …… (4) on their door, which were rubbed off one by one as Christmas got closer. Advent Candles and putting up a small religious picture to mark each day were other ways of counting down the days.

The first actual advent calendar which we still buy today was produced in the early 1900’s, although first mass-produced in 1908 by Gerhard Lang who worked at the Reichhold & Lang printing office in Munich, Germany. The business produced over thirty different calendar patterns until the 1930’s. These calendars had 24 …… (5) and were a lot better decorated than the advent calendars we have these days.

Before long, advent calendars had doors which when opened contained religious pictures, and some had chocolate in to keep the children’s attention. This was proving to be popular over the years but had to be put on hold when World War Two started, because paper, …… (6) and chocolate were limited. However, once the war was over the production of advent calendars soon picked back up in 1946, not containing chocolates though.

Towards the end of the 1950’s, chocolate advent calendars re-appeared and started to spread across the world. Ten years later, many countries were using the advent calendar to count the days to …… (7).

Advent calendars are still very popular all across the world and now come in thousands of different varieties, some with just pictures in, others with just chocolate. The religious meaning of the advent calendars has been lost though. Also they don’t stop on Christmas Eve, normally they have a bigger door for Christmas Day.

Just remember, you’re never too old for an advent calendar, I got a Thorntons Advent Calendar this year, you can see it in the video above!

Key

1. Sundays 2. countdown 3. Germany 4. chalk marks 5. doors 6. cardboard 7. Christmas Day

Last Christmas, I gave you my heart
But the very next day you gave it away
This year, to save me from tears
I’ll give it to someone special

Last Christmas, I gave you my heart
But the very next day you gave it away
This year, to save me from tears
I’ll give it to someone special

Once bitten and twice shy
I keep my distance
But you still catch my eye
Tell me, baby
Do you recognize me?
Well, it’s been a year
It doesn’t surprise me
(Merry Christmas!) I wrapped it up and sent it
With a note saying, “I love you, ” I meant it
Now, I know what a fool I’ve been
But if you kissed me now
I know you’d fool me again

Last Christmas, I gave you my heart
But the very next day you gave it away
This year, to save me from tears
I’ll give it to someone special

Last Christmas, I gave you my heart
But the very next day you gave it away
This year, to save me from tears
I’ll give it to someone special

A crowded room, friends with tired eyes
I’m hiding from you, and your soul of ice
My god, I thought you were someone to rely on
Me? I guess I was a shoulder to cry on

A face on a lover with a fire in his heart
A man undercover but you tore me apart
Now, I’ve found a real love you’ll never fool me again

Last Christmas, I gave you my heart
But the very next day you gave it away
This year, to save me from tears
I’ll give it to someone special

Last Christmas, I gave you my heart
But the very next day you gave it away
This year, to save me from tears
I’ll give it to someone special

A face on a lover with a fire in his heart
A man under cover but you tore him apart
Maybe next year I’ll give it to someone
I’ll give it to someone special

Can you translate these English expressions from the lyrics into Hungarian?

1. maybe next year

2. you still catch my eye

3. it doesn’t surprise me

4. but if you kissed me now

5. friends with tired eyes

6. Do you recognize me?

Key

1. jövőre lehet, hogy

2. még mindig rajtad felejtem a szemem

3. ez nem lep meg

4. de ha most megcsókolnál

5. fáradt szemű barátok

6. Megismersz?

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What is Advent?

Advent is the period that leads into Christmas. It’s an important time of preparation and expectant waiting. In this lesson you’re going to learn about what Advent means in the UK. Advent is the Anglicisation of the Latin word ‘adventus’. What does ‘adventus’ mean? The answer is at the end of the video. Advent is the beginning of the liturgical year or church year, and begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas so it always falls between the 27^th November and the 3^rd December. The religious meaning behind the advent period is to anticipate and to prepare for the second coming of Christ by anticipating and preparing for Christmas. The lighting of an advent wreath candle is a common way to countdown to Christmas. The wreath is made of evergreen branches and has four candles arranged around it. The candles represent the four Sundays of advent and one candle is lit on each Sunday in Advent. Often there is fifth candle in the centre and this last candle is lit on Christmas Day. Advent is also a countdown for the non-religious as advent calendars are a very popular form of confectionary. These are a type of calendar that have a door for every day of Advent. Behind each door is an item, usually chocolate and people use them as a countdown to Christmas. The chocolates are often made into the shape of Christmas icons such as mistletoe and bells.

Advent is the time when Christmas preparations really move up a gear. Presents are wrapped, trees are decorated, and every town and city becomes Christmassy thanks to decorations and illuminations.

And now here is the answer to the earlier quiz. Advent is the Anglicisation of the Latin word ‘adventus’.  What does ‘adventus’ mean? It means ‘coming’ or ‘arrival’. Advent is literally the arrival of Christmas. In the past many loan words were anglicised to make them easier for English speakers to understand.

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2. The first decorated Christmas tree was in Riga, Latvia in 1510.

3. The first printed reference to Christmas trees appeared in Germany in 1531.

4. Approximately 100,000 people are employed full or part-time in the Christmas tree industry.

5. In the United States, there are more than 15,000 Christmas tree farms. There are approximately 350 million Christmas trees growing on U.S. farms.

6. The most popular Christmas trees are: Scotch pine, Douglas fir, Noble fir, Fraser fir, Balsam fir, Virginia pine and white pine.

7. Besides evergreens, other types of trees such as cherry and hawthorns were used as Christmas trees in the past.

8. Live Christmas trees have been sold commercially in the United States since about 1850.

9. Using small candles to light a Christmas tree dates back to the middle of the 17th century.

10. 10.9 million artificial trees were purchased in the United States in 2012.

11. Thomas Edison’s assistant, Edward Johnson, came up with the idea of electric lights for Christmas trees in 1882. Christmas tree lights were first mass-produced in 1890.

12. Today, most artificial Christmas trees are made from PVC plastic. PVC trees are fire-retardant but not fire-resistant. Eighty percent of artificial trees worldwide are manufactured in China.

13. Artificial Christmas trees were developed in Germany during the 19th century and later became popular in the United States. These “trees” were made using goose feathers that were dyed green and attached to wire branches. The wire branches were then wrapped around a central dowel rod that acted as the trunk.

14. Since 1971, the Province of Nova Scotia has presented the Boston Christmas tree to the people of Boston, in gratitude for the relief supplies received from the citizens of Boston after a ship exploded in 1917 following a collision in the Halifax, Nova Scotia Harbor. Part of the city was leveled, killing and injuring thousands.

15. Every year since 1947, the people of Oslo, Norway have given a Christmas tree to the city of Westminster, England. The gift is an expression of goodwill and gratitude for Britain’s help to Norway during World War II. The tree stands on Trafalgar Square.

16. The official Christmas tree tradition at Rockefeller Center began in 1933. Since 2004 the tree has been topped with a 550-pound Swarovski Crystal star. And since 2007, the tree has been lit with 30,000 energy-efficient LED’s which are powered by solar panels.

17. There are approximately 25-30 million real Christmas trees sold in the U.S. every year.

18. Real trees are a renewable, recyclable resource. Artificial trees contain non-biodegradable plastics and possible metal toxins such as lead.

19. It can take as many as 15 years to grow a tree of typical height (6 – 7 feet) or as little as 4 years, but the average growing time is 7 years.

20. A ‘Tree of Paradise’ was also used in old mystery plays to symbolise the Garden of Eden. Apples hung on it may be the origin of tree decorations.

21. Even before the time of Christ, evergreen trees were seen in winter as a symbol of fertility.

22. Real Christmas trees came eighth in a survey of the US’s favourite smells in 2004, just behind the sea but ahead of perfume.

23. England’s first Christmas tree was brought to Windsor by Charlotte, wife of George III, in 1800…but it was the trees brought in the 1840s by Prince Albert, consort of Queen Victoria, that led to their popularity throughout the UK.

24. The first use of the term ‘Christmas tree’ in English was in 1835.

25. The average Christmas tree contains about 30,000 bugs and insects.

26.  Manufactured Christmas tree ornaments were first sold by Woolworths in 1880.

27. The United States’ National Christmas Tree has been lit each year since 1923 on the South Lawn of the White House.

28. An angel or star might be placed at the top of the tree to represent the archangel Gabriel or the Star of Bethlehem from the Nativity.

29. The tree was traditionally decorated with edibles such as apples, nuts, or other foods. In the 18th century, it began to be illuminated by candles which were ultimately replaced by Christmas lights after the advent of electrification.

30. Today, there are a wide variety of traditional ornaments, such as garland, tinsel, and candy canes.

Source: www.uselessdaily.com

True or false?

1. Live Christmas trees are evergreen.

2. The star on the top of the tree represents the nativity.

3. Artificial Christmas trees are fire resistant.

4. The Christmas tree on Trafalgar Square is a gift from Sweden every year.

5. Evergreen trees symbolize fertility.

6. Christmas trees are decorated with only edibles.

Key

1. true

2. true

3. false

4. false

5. true

6. false

It’s Christmas time, there’s always much to do

I’d rather spend my time and be with you

I’m overcome with fear and sadness

Baby, save me from this madness

By doing something I would like to do

Let’s not go shopping

When cars start stopping

Outside it’s snowing

And ten below

It’s better warming by the fireside

With yuletide candle glow

I don’t wanna hear those till bells ringing

No, no, no

We don’t need shopping

It gets me hopping

We could be bopping

With Old King Cole

Instead of trudging through the ice and snow

We’ll close the drapes and lock all the doors

And leave that shopping to Mister Claus

We’ll just not venture

To shopping centers

No retail tension

No stress or strife

We’ll kick on back with nothing else to do

Give staying home a round of applause

Let’s not go shopping, just hang your stocking

And leave that shopping to Santa Claus

Thank you, Saint Nick!

Keresd meg a dalszövegben a magyarra fordított kifejezések angol megfelelőjét!

1. Ments meg ettől az őrülettől!

2. Tapsold meg, hogy otthon maradhatsz!

3. Hagyd a vásárlást a Mikulásra!

4. jobb a tűz mellett melegedni

5. Kint havazik.

Key

1. Save me from this madness.

2. Give staying home a round of applause.

3. And leave that shopping to Santa Claus.

4. It’s better warming by the fireside.

5. Outside it’s snowing.

I’m not dreaming of a white Christmas

All I’m dreaming of the whole day long

Is a peaceful world

Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year

To those of you who live in fear

And let us hope that very soon

The peace you seek will then resume

I’m not dreaming of a white Christmas

I’m not dreaming of a white Christmas

All I’m dreaming of the whole day long

Is a peaceful peaceful world

(I’m not dreaming of a white Christmas

I’m not dreaming of a white Christmas

All I’m dreaming of the whole day long

Is a peaceful world)

Merry Christmas,…

Can you fill in the gaps in the sentences with a word or expression from the lyrics of the song?

1. If you …… you long for peace.

2. Whatever you …… hope that you will find it.

3. Although I was working …… I couldn’t finish the project in time.

4. Let’s hope we are going to have a …… Christmas.

5. …… fame and wealth I just want to be happy.

Key

1. live in fear

2. seek

3. the whole day long

4. white/peaceful

5. I’m not dreaming of

I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas?

A “White Christmas”, in which there is a covering of snow on December 25, is actually pretty rare in England. The Meteorological Office is London traditionally uses the definition of a single snowflake observed falling at one location in the 24 hours of Christmas Day. While the normal location was the Meteorological Office itself, now it includes several locations such as Buckingham Palace, Aldergrove Airport in Belfast, Abderdeen, Edinburgh Castle, Coronation Street in Manchester, and Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. While 38 instances of a snowfall have been observed in the last 52 years, only 4 instances of a complete covering have occurred since 1963.

Big Spender

It is estimated that British households spend £22 billion at Christmas with the average household spending £835. Of the per household amount, £161 is spent on food and drink, £634 on gifts, and £40 on decorations.

Christmas Pudding

Originated as early as the 15th century as a means of preserving meat. By the end of autumn, any surplus livestock was slaughtered and the meat was kept in a pastry with dried fruit to act as a preservative. The resulting mince pies became something of a holiday tradition as they could serve several people. As the techniques for preserving meat improved over time, the meat started to be removed (though still existing in some place as mince pieces) and a pottage was made out of plums, spices, and pastry. As time went on, the sweet aspect of it was emphasized and morphed into the modern pudding.

Christmas Goose or Christmas Turkey?

Christmas Goose was the traditional meat before turkey became more widely available in the 1950s. In fact, the Cratchit family of A Christmas Carol was set to have a goose before a reformed Ebeneezer Scrooge purchased a turkey for their Christmas dinner. Now approximately 76% of British households serve turkey on Christmas.

Britain’s Black Friday

On Christmas Day 2012, British retail websites experienced 107 million hits with peak activity in the evening. While once a day in which servants and tradespersons would receive gifts, Boxing Day (December 26) is also a peak shopping day. In 2013, shoppers spent a reported £2.7 billion.

Get to the Church on Time

The Holy Days and Fasting Days Act of 1551 required that everyone in Britain attend church on Christmas Day and not use any vehicle to get there. While some parts were repealed by the Statute Law Revision Act of 1888, the remainder was repealed by the Statute Law (Repeals) Act of 1969, though it’s often reported that the original act is still in force and simply not enforced.

Many Happy Returns to the Shops

In 2011, people received approximately £594 million worth of unwanted gifts, with 1 in every 10 gifts being something the receiver did not want. These people were quick to get rid of the unwanted presents as 1.5 million new items were listed on eBay on Boxing Day that year.

Christingle

The fourth Sunday of Advent sees a traditional service known as Christingle at certain churches in Britain. The tradition began in Germany and Scandinavia and the service involves a large amount of caroling. Children receive an orange with a candle in it wrapped in red ribbon. The candle representing the light of Jesus and the ribbon being the blood he shed. The orange, meanwhile, represents the Earth. Some also include candies or dried fruits stuck in with cocktail sticks to represent the four seasons and the fruits of the Earth.

Christmas Canceled

Oliver Cromwell banned Christmas festivities in 1647 and even instructed soldiers to confiscate any meals being prepared for the holiday. The law wasn’t repealed until 1660, two years after Cromwell’s death.

Cracking Idea

Tom Smith of London invented crackers in 1847. A confectioner by trade, he created them during a bon-bon slump as a sales gimmick, increasing the size of the paper to incorporate the banger mechanism. Eventually, he dropped the inclusion of the bon-bons in favor of including some French novelty items he hadn’t been able to sell. His son Walter went onto to include the paper hats you force your relatives to wear as well as varying the designs on the paper.

source: anglotopia

Can you answer the questions?

1. Who used to ban Christmas in Britain?

2. What do you have to pull at Christmas?

3. When is Boxing Day?

4. Which book is Ebeneezer Scrooge from?

5. When is the British ’Black Friday’?

Key

1. Oliver Cromwell

2. a Christmas cracker

3. 26th December

4. Charles Dickens: A Christmas Carol

5. on Boxing Day (26th December)

1. Marshmallow Advent Calendar – behind each door you’ll find a delicious piece of handmade marshmallow, with different tasty flavours.

2. Tea advent calendar – an advent calendar full of rare teas, from Jasmine Fairy through to the incredibly named Double Dragon Pearl.

3. Ornament advent calendar – in the guise of a Georgian mansion and made from white porcelain, this advent house contains 24 individual and surprising Wedgwood ornaments in blue and white.

4. Coffee advent calendar – a selection of indulgent coffees in a variety of flavours.

5. Stationery advent calendar – different stationary items behind the little doors.

6. Doggie advent calendar – For man’s (and woman’s) best friend – a bone-shaped advent calendar contains a selection of natural and tasty biscuits in original and carob flavour.

7. Beer advent calendar – This advent calendar contains a selection of beer. Designed to take you on a tasty beer adventure from lagers via pale ales.

8. Musical advent calendar – an advent calendar that contains 24 spaces to hide sweets, toys and other treats, but upon opening each door, a different Christmas tune will play.

9. Wine advent calendar – and advent calendar full of a selection of wines.

10. Biscuit advent calendar – different biscuits and different tastes to taste.

11. Jewellery box advent calendar  – a 12 door advent calendar is for the DIY jewellery lovers. It contains all the ingredients for creating a delicate charm bracelet and necklace. Plus you can personalise the front of the box.

12. Radio or Tv show advent calendar – In Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden there is also a tradition of having a calendar in the form of a radio show or TV show.

13. A digital advent calendar –  a  beautiful main scene conceals a new game, animated story or other activity for every day of December up to Christmas Day, all accompanied by music carefully selected for each occasion. You can design your own tartan, build your own snowflakes and, of course, decorate your own Christmas tree. There are a selection of fun activities available even before the start of December, and the main scene itself is also full of unexpected surprises, gradually becoming more colourful and festive as the big day draws near. (jacquielawson.com)

We give you the definition. What’s the word?

1. a mythical monster like a giant reptile breathing fire

2. a soft, sweet, pink or white food

3. . an object that is beautiful rather than useful and is added to increase the beauty of something

4. writing and other office materials

5. having or producing happy and enjoyable feelings suitable for a festival or other special occasion

Key

1. dragon

2. marshmallow

3. ornament

4. stationery

5. festive

1. IT ORIGINATED AS A PERIOD OF FASTING.

Advent, from the Latin word adventus, meaning arrival, refers to the arrival of Jesus Christ. Although scholars aren’t sure exactly when Christians began observing Advent, we do know that monks in the 5th century CE began fasting thrice weekly in November, either to prepare for Christmas or Epiphany, during which new Christians were baptized each year. Similar to Lent, in which Catholics fast and pray for 40 days before Easter, Advent encourages Christians to fast so they can focus on repentance and prayer.

2. ITS START DATE MAY VARY.

In most Western churches, Advent begins on the Sunday four weeks before Christmas Day. So depending on the calendar, Advent may start at the end of November rather than beginning of December in some years. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, Advent is called the Nativity Fast and usually begins in mid-November, so it lasts approximately six weeks instead of four.

3. IT’S A TIME OF SORROW AND JOY.

During Advent, devout Christians take the time to pray, reflect on the past year, and mourn for the sin and evil in the world. Although Advent is a time of sorrow, it’s also an opportunity to express hope. Christians prepare for new beginnings, look forward to the second coming of Christ, and renew their faith.

4. OBSERVANTS LIGHT CANDLES IN AN ADVENT WREATH.

Representing hope and everlasting light, candles have been traditional symbols of Advent for centuries. On the four Sundays prior to Christmas, most churches light an Advent candle, with each candle corresponding to an anecdote from the Bible. Some Christians also light Advent candles in evergreen wreaths, called Advent wreaths. Depending on the denomination of Christianity, believers may light a fifth candle inside the wreath on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day to represent the birth of Christ.

5. VIOLET IS A POPULAR COLOR.

While green and red are typically associated with Christmas, the period leading up to December 25 is all about purples or violets. The candles in advent wreaths are usually violet or purple, churches are decorated with violet, and priests may wear the color in the weeks before Christmas. To Christians, purple represents repentance and fasting, though some denominations use blue or pink instead of violet.

6. CHOCOLATE ADVENT CALENDARS AREN’T THE ONLY ONES WITH LITTLE PRIZES.

Most advent calendars are simple cardboard affairs, and each opened window reveals an illustration of a Christmas-related item such as a reindeer or a stocking. But if you want to inject the countdown to Christmas with more anticipation and excitement, buy an advent calendar filled with chocolate, candy, or other sweet treats. Don’t have a sweet tooth? There are also advent calendars containing 24 LEGO pieces and 24 diamonds.

7. THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT IS A DAY TO REJOICE.

On the third Sunday of Advent, called Gaudete Sunday, Christians take a break from repenting to celebrate Christ’s imminent arrival. Churches use rose-colored candles and decorations, and the clergy preach about joy, redemption, and blessings. Christians may pray and reflect on the things for which they’re grateful.

8. IT’S TOO EARLY FOR CHRISTMAS MUSIC.

Although stores and radio stations begin blasting Christmas songs long before Thanksgiving, devout Christians don’t celebrate Advent by singing Christmas music. Instead, they sing Advent-specific hymns, such as “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” and they postpone the Christmas tunes until Christmas Eve.

9. SUNDAYS ARE IMPORTANT.

On each of the four Sundays of Advent, most churches focus on a specific religious topic such as the Prophets, the Messiah, or John the Baptist. Clergy may give sermons and light candles, and Christians spend time both remembering the first coming of Christ and anticipating His second coming. Because Sundays are so important during Advent, some churches don’t allow funeral masses on those days.

10. MOST CHRISTIANS NO LONGER FAST DURING IT.

Today, some devout Christians still fast during Advent, while others simply avoid consuming certain foods such as meat, dairy, or desserts. Still other Christians focus on praying and repentance rather than fasting. In general, current members of Eastern Orthodox churches are more likely to fast than members of Western churches.

source: mentalfloss

What do you call the Advent Sundays? Can you match the names with the proper Sundays?

Key:

1. c.

2. a.

3. b.