Rbb Inforadio

Advent in Germany: A Time for Tradition and Reflection

The First Advent Sunday Marks the Beginning of the Festive Season

As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, Germany prepares for the arrival of Advent, a season of anticipation and reflection that leads up to Christmas. This year, the first Advent Sunday falls on November 27th, marking the official start of the festive period.

The Meaning of Advent

Advent comes from the Latin word "adventus," which means "arrival." It is a time when Christians remember the coming of Jesus Christ, both in the past at his birth and in the future at his second coming. For many Germans, Advent is also a time to reflect on their own lives and prepare for the new year.

Traditional Advent Customs

Advent is celebrated in Germany with a variety of traditional customs. One of the most popular is the Advent wreath, a circular arrangement of evergreen branches adorned with four candles. Each candle represents one of the four weeks of Advent, and they are lit progressively, one by one, each Sunday. Another popular tradition is the Advent calendar, which contains small treats or gifts that can be opened each day in the lead-up to Christmas.

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