Advent

同事发过来德国圣诞节介绍。其中这个Advent实在是可爱的传统，用蜡烛和糖果一点点把过年的气氛酝酿起来。我想给自己买个Advent-Calender! :D

Advent

The four weekends before Christmas are called 'Advent' (from Latin 'ad'=to and 'venere'=to come. Meaning 'arrival'). This year the 1st Advent-Sunday will be November 29th. People buy or make Advent-Wreaths (you will see a modern interpretation in the office) with four candles and each Sunday one more candle is lit until on the last Advent Sunday (December 21st) all candles are burning.

Children receive Advent-Calendars. They contain 24 chocolates or treats, one for each day up to Christmas Eve. The tradition is supposed to shorten the wait for December, 24th, the main day of the Christmas celebrations in Germany. (However, adults also enjoy this tradition!)