The holiday season brings many delightful traditions, from trimming the tree to hanging stockings by the fireplace. As December rolls around, many families also get out a special holiday countdown: the advent calendar.
You’re likely familiar with the concept already. Advent calendars count down the days leading up to Christmas, from December 1st to Christmas Eve on the 24th. Each day has a little flap or box to open, revealing a small treat, puzzle, or Christmas image behind it.
But what purpose does this little December ritual actually serve? Where did advent calendars originate, and what meaning or significance is behind counting down to the 25th?
In this post, as a professional advent calendar printing manufacturer, I’ll explore the history and religious roots behind advent calendars. You’ll also discover the symbolism and spiritual meaning they hold for many families during the Christmas season.
Let’s unwrap the story behind this beloved holiday tradition!
A Brief History of Advent Calendars
To understand the purpose and meaning of advent calendars, we first need to step back in time. These little holiday countdowns have their origins in 19th-century Germany among Protestant Christians.
Back then, German families would count down the days until Christmas with a simple method: marking chalk tallies on their doors or walls. Other families lit a candle or hung up a religious devotional image each new day.
These methods weren’t calendars yet…but they laid the early groundwork.
By the early 1900s, German printers and publishers produced some of the very first printed advent calendar sheets. The calendars showed religious images and Bible verses to count down the days until Christmas Eve.
The advent calendars we know and love emerged in the 1920s thanks to a German printer named Gerhard Lang. Inspired by his mom’s homemade calendars, Lang began designing decorative, cardboard advent calendars for the Christmas season.
His popular innovation? Little flaps or doors to open each day, hiding Christmas images behind them. Some of Lang’s first calendars also included a piece of candy or chocolate for each new date.
So even though chocolate advent calendars have only been around since the 1950s, their roots stretch back over 100 years! They combine beautiful Christmas artistry with the fun reveal of treats and surprises behind tiny doors.
Now that we’ve stepped through a brief history, let’s explore the spiritual significance and symbolism of advent calendars next.
The Religious Purpose and Meaning Behind Advent Calendars
For devout Christians, advent calendars carry a much deeper spiritual meaning beyond counting down to a holiday. They’re actually a meaningful part of observing the Advent season in many churches.
What is Advent?
First, Advent refers to a special, nearly month-long season for millions of Western Christians. Advent begins each year on the 4th Sunday before December 25th, Christmas Day. Since the date of Christmas varies, that means the start of Advent can fall anytime between November 27-December 3.
However, nearly all Advent calendars begin on December 1st to align with the 25 days until Christmas.
During Advent, devout believers enter a season of:
- Preparation
- Anticipation
- Reflection
- Hope
But hope and anticipation for what exactly?
Advent originated from the Latin word “Adventus,” meaning “coming.” For Christians, Advent marks a spiritual preparation for both:
- Christ’s first coming – His humble birth celebrated on Christmas
- The second coming of Christ – When Jesus will return again someday
That’s why Christian Advent celebration weaves together themes of hopeful waiting, promise, reflection, and even penance.
Of course, not all families who use advent calendars are focused on the religious ties. But for Protestant, Lutheran, Anglican, Catholic and other churches, Advent calendars hold special spiritual significance.
The Symbolism Behind the Advent Wreath
Another important Advent tradition is the wreath. You’ll find Advent wreaths displayed in church sanctuaries and many Christian homes during this season.
The circular evergreen wreath reflects God’s unending love and eternal life. Churches light one Advent candle on each of the four Sundays leading to Christmas. Each candle holds distinctive symbolic meaning:
- The Prophecy Candle – Hope coming into the world
- The Bethlehem Candle – Peace through Christ’s presence
- The Shepherd’s Candle – God’s love and joy
- The Angel’s Candle – The coming promise of Jesus
Finally, the white center candle lit on Christmas Eve or Day represents Christ’s light coming into the darkened world.
For believers, the wreath’s increasing light reminds them that Jesus already fulfilled ancient prophecies when He humbly arrived 2000 years ago. And it stirs hope in Christ’s promised return when He “makes all things new” (Revelation 21:5).
How Families Can Focus on Meaning
You may have a diverse mix of religious and non-religious family members. If so, how can anyone tap into the symbolism and spiritual significance of Advent?
Here are a few ideas:
Add an Advent wreath – Light its weekly candles as you talk about their age-old meaning. Reflect on hope, love, peace and promise.
Use a nativity calendar – Instead of Christmas images, opt for an Advent calendar containing scenes from the nativity story behind each door.
Supplement with devotions – Add weekly readings detailing God’s ancient promises to send a savior. Talk about the humble manger arrival and promised second coming of Jesus.
The religious roots of Advent may have gotten buried beneath piles of chocolate calendars and Christmas commercialism today. But recapturing its symbolism and devotional spirit can make December even more meaningful for your family.
Now that we’ve dug into the rich history and religious significance let’s examine popular ways families are using Advent calendars today.
Different Types of Modern Advent Calendars
Walk through any retailer between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and you’re sure to encounter creative new takes on advent calendars. They remain a beloved tradition—albeit with some twists from their devout origins.
Beyond religious Advent imagery, here are some of the common types you’ll see today:
Chocolate calendars – Candy-filled advent calendars exploded after marshmallow chocolatier Cadbury made the first one in 1971. Most contain milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or white chocolate pieces.
Activity calendars – Fun for kids, activity advent calendars include puzzles, stickers, temporary tattoos, or small art supplies to enjoy.
Toy calendars – These often tie into trending movies, TV shows, or video games. Tiny figurines or models hide behind each numbered door.
Beauty calendars – Perfume samples, bath/spa treats, makeup, or skin care trial sizes make these a popular gift for teens and women.
Foodie calendars – From gourmet teas to coffee, mini liquor bottles and craft beers, food advent calendars count down to Christmas with tasty surprises.
DIY calendars – Craft through winter with calendars focused on handmade ornaments, knitting projects, holiday baking, or gingerbread houses.
The variety of advent calendars today is astounding! With many secular versions focusing purely on the “countdown fun,” most people display them starting December 1st without religious ties.
But as you learned earlier, advent calendars have their roots in 19th-century German churches. Understanding their storied history and symbolic significance for Christian observation of Advent season casts these popular calendars in a new light!
Countdown to Christmas With More Meaning
Have you glimpsed the rich history and tradition behind advent calendars in a new light? I hope exploring their origins and symbolism allows your family to embrace their purpose and spiritual significance this Christmas season.
In 2024, look for an Advent calendar style and creative countdown routine that redirects your thoughts towards the hope, peace, joy and love Christmas truly celebrates. Have a meaningful holiday season!