The Advent Calendar

About the Advent Calendar.

As with many of our beloved Advent and Christmas traditions, we trace the origins of the Advent calendar to Germany. Advent calendars first appeared there in the mid 19th century.

Different methods of counting down the days to Christmas were common. Children in Germany often drew chalk lines or hung pictures to mark the days in anticipation of Christmas. Others lit candles each night during Advent. 1851 marks the appearance of the first printed Advent calendar - produced by Gerhard Lang. Lang developed the Advent calendar from  tradition handed down from his mother - she would mark each day of Advent by attaching little candles to pieces of cardboard and, as a child, each day Gerhard would take one off. Lang's first printed calendar consisted of miniature colored pictures that would be attached to a piece of cardboard each day in December. Later versions of the Advent calendars were made with little doors to open up each day - the type of calendar we are most familiar with today.

In the traditional Advent calendar, the child might find a piece of candy (usually chocolate), a Christmas picture, a religious picture or a Bible verse.

The German calendars were sold until World War II, at which time production was stopped due to war shortages. After the war, the production of Advent calendars resumed in 1946. Many people credit President Eisenhower with helping the tradition spread and develop, in the United States, during his term in office. A newspaper article of the time featured the Eisenhower grandchildren with an Advent calendar and the public became very interested in the tradition.

The first Advent calendars were based on 24 days with Christmas Eve as the last night to put up a picture or take a piece of candy. Today, the traditional German calendars still show 24 days but in the United States it is not uncommon to find Advent calendars of 25 days - the last opening on Christmas Day.

There are Advent calendars of all types and shapes today. The calenders can have doors, windows, presents, candles, animals, skaters, figurines, cars, wagons, trees, flowers, and certainly a variety of Christian imagery on them. Each opening has a small number on it that is used as a countdown to Christmas. Calendars today can be masterfully deisgned by artists and can even become collector's items for their beauty and uniqueness.

The wonderful tradition of Advent calendars helps to heighten anticipation as children prepare for Christmas and they also create fond memories of the holy season of Christmas for loved ones to cherish through the years. Many families have enjoyed this tradition for generations and many as starting this tradition anew!

 
Bookmark and Share
Printer-Friendly Version
Patron Saint List: A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z 
Find a Registry
Find a Wish List

My Cart

1-Book of Chri $39.95
1-Advent of th $8.46
2-Theology Of $25.46
1-The Navarre $38.21
1-St. Francis $6.76
1-Divine Mercy $36.51
1-The Catholic $15.26
1-Saint Franci $11.96
1-The Virgin F $349.95
1-Meditations $12.71
1-Biblia de Je $22.95
1-Elizabeth, A $12.74
1-Christus Nat $10.16
1-Holy Family $316.63
1-The Red Hat $16.96
1-Nativity Sta $14.41
1-14kt Gold Ro $2,754.00
1-St. Paul Sma $22.06
1-Pewter Birth $39.91
1-Rhodium Plat $13.56
1-Ritual de la $29.71
1-Our Lady of $16.96
1-Kyrie Eleiso $14.39
1-Divine Intim $12.71
1-Keeping It C $15.26
1-Two Towers $12.71
1-Ten Dates Ev $11.86
1-Divine Mercy $89.21
1-Holy Bible C $1.28
1-The Secret D $16.96
1-Go To The De $25.50
1-Our Sunday V $38.95
1-Saint Domini $9.35
1-Come and See $16.96
1-Why Catholic $16.15
1-Hans Urs Von $15.26
1-Protect the $7.45
1-Order of Chr $5.91
1-You Can Chan $12.71
1-The Building $21.21
1-14kt. Our La $120.70
1-Plastic Cove $1.28
1-Diagnosis Cr $25.46
1-Epic: A Jour $254.96
1-Gregorian Mi $35.95
1-More Catholi $9.31
1-Nicholas $12.74
1-Pope Benedic $9.31
1-Abbey Brand $50.11
1-Papal Crucif $4.21
1-The Philosop $14.45
1-Real Love $12.71
1-St. Teresa o $29.71
1-First Commun $12.71
1-Vivaldi Sacr $14.99
1-Crystal Acce $22.10
1-Immaculate H $220.96
1-Thessalonian $12.74
1-Read It In G $24.00
1-Rhodium Plat $11.86
1-Oplatki Chri $5.09
1-Faith Of The $15.26
1-Girl's Crib $7.23
1-Douay - Rhei $46.71
1-Finding God $11.01
1-2010 Ordo Ch $14.95
1-Leather Cove $34.95
1-Right And Re $21.25
1-Razing the B $8.46
1-King of King $136.00
1-Father Solan $9.31
1-Stations of $14.41
1-Fundamentals $14.41
1-Vocations in $22.91
1-The Beginnin $13.56
1-Hardwood Pew $110.50
1-Order of Chr $11.01
1-What's So Gr $23.76
1-St. Michael' $14.44
1-Stations of $70.51
1-Missale Roma $595.00
1-Ave Maria $12.71
1-Our Lady of $7.23
1-The Quiet Li $15.26
1-Cranmer's Go $22.06
1-Franciscan R $36.51
1-Catholic Boo $7.61
2-The Imitatio $12.71
1-Rhodium Plat $11.86
1-Christmas at $14.44
1-Back to Virt $10.16
1-St. Helen 2 $10.20
1-Europe's Mon $16.11
1-Museum Quali $276.25
1-Advent and C $8.46
1-Letters of S $8.46
1-Thessalonian $15.26
1-Revelation R $20.36
1-Spiritual Wa $8.46
1-St John Vian $28.01
1-The Saints' $7.65
1-Why We Need $7.61
1-The Guide to $19.51
1-The Awesome $5.00
1-Spanish-Engl $19.54
1-The Courage $12.71
1-Handmade 12i $20.36
1-Beginning Ap $5.06
1-Praying The $14.41
1-Stainless St $135.96
1-Abandonment $16.11
1-The God That $22.06
2-Rhodium Plat $12.71
1-Grey Neopren $5.91
1-Abbey Brand $50.96
1-Praying in t $5.91
1-Descent From $45.01
1-Thérèse DVD: $21.21
1-Catholic Sto $61.16
1-The Holy Ros $12.71
1-St. Francis $12.71
1-The Canons a $14.03
1-On Loving Go $12.71
1-Frequent Con $8.46
1-Dressing Wit $8.50
1-Saints at Pr $23.76
1-14kt Gold Ro $2,029.80
1-Standing Ang $222.70
1-Cat. Chat Vo $12.71
1-Boy's First $0.64
1-Dayspring $13.56
2-What Catholi $11.01
1-Catholic Ins $14.41
1-Angel Food F $61.16
1-Opus Dei: De $16.96
1-Brass Proces $633.25
1-St. Gerard R $5.91
1-The Lord's P $5.98
1-New Illustra $11.01
1-The Layman a $21.21
1-Libro de los $8.50
1-St. Mildred $10.20
1-U.S. Navy Pr $8.46
1-Book Of Sain $21.21
1-The School o $76.46
1-Immaculate H $220.96
1-St. John Via $2.51
1-Church, Ecum $16.96
1-La Madonna D $29.71
1-Navarre Bibl $67.96
1-Verdi $16.11
1-The Catholic $25.46
1-St. Louis De $11.05
1-Psychology I $20.36
1-John of the $16.96
1-"Who Started $6.80
1-Theology of $10.19
1-Heart Bead P $5.75
1-First Commun $24.95
1-God's Invisi $14.41
1-St. Maria Fa $25.93
1-Beginning Ap $42.46
1-Catholic Tal $9.31
1-A New Pentec $69.95
1-Padre Pio $11.01
1-Rhodium Plat $12.71
1-How the Refo $11.48
1-The Secret o $12.71
1-The Letters $8.46
1-Sterling Sil $33.15
1-Whole Wheat $17.95
1-St. Alice St $28.69
2-The Grunt Pa $13.56
1-From Scandal $8.46
1-Sez Who?: Wh $6.76
1-Reverence an $9.35
1-Saint Philom $10.20
1-The New Test $8.46
1-Jesus and Ma $21.21
1-Sexual Authe $13.56
1-Catholic And $20.36
2-Saint Philip $6.38
1-Padre Pio: I $12.71
1-Baby Biblewe $4.68
1-Biblia de Na $15.00
1-The Gospel O $8.46
1-Kateri Tekak $8.46
2-A Comparativ $33.99
1-Painting Rai $2.63
1-The Cure Of $8.46
1-Radical Surr $11.86
1-Hand-Carved $93.50
1-What Does Th $5.00
1-Catholic Com $14.41
1-Divine Mercy $181.01
1-Pope Benedic $25.46
1-Divine Intim $46.71
1-The Catholic $10.16
1-Ignatius Cat $33.96
1-Divine Mercy $28.01
1-Nativity Bro $199.71
1-Catholic Mar $14.41
1-Liberalism I $7.65
3-St Benedict $55.21
1-Mysteries of $14.41
1-St. John Via $76.50
1-Catholic Bib $11.01
1-River of Lig $25.46
1-Our Lady of $39.06
1-The Gunpowde $21.21
1-Four Witness $14.41
1-St. Alice St $33.36
1-Our Saviour $17.85
1-Upon This Ro $15.26
1-Pocket Guide $5.06
1-A Primer of $22.10
1-St. Alice 22 $27.84
1-The Spiritua $12.71
1-St. Caroline $10.20
1-Girl's First $12.33
1-Brass Pew Mo $259.25
1-The Seven So $9.31
1-Praying with $5.91
1-Stainless 30 $5.91
1-The Primitiv $10.63
1-Handmade 3 H $9.31
1-Standing Ang $152.11
1-U.S. Marines $8.46
1-Brass Baroqu $408.00
1-Sexual Commo $69.95
1-Epic: A Jour $118.96
1-Francis $12.74
1-Hiking the C $11.89
1-Burgundy Dai $41.65
1-Meditations $22.91
1-ABC's Of Cho $11.86
1-Ghirelli Cle $96.89
1-St. Gertrude $10.20
1-The Latin Ce $15.26
1-Not By Scrip $16.96
1-Today I Made $14.96
1-Pope Benedic $11.01
1-Descent From $76.46
1-The Priest i $14.41
1-A Prayerbook $10.63
1-Into the Hea $169.96
1-Nuevo Testam $4.21
1-Catholic Mat $21.25
1-The Gospel O $8.46
1-Abbey Brand $50.96
1-Wisdom's Foo $5.06
1-On God and C $13.60
1-The Gospel O $8.46
1-Our Lady of $12.71
1-First Commun $20.61
1-Praying in t $6.76
1-My Path to H $11.86
1-The Legend o $15.30
1-St. Francis $21.21
1-Adoration $13.56
1-The Gospel W $20.36
1-Handel Messi $6.98
1-Order for th $5.91
1-Epic Timelin $4.21
1-Cocoa Bead S $46.75
1-In Conversat $15.26
1-Brave New Fa $12.71
1-Into Great S $25.46
1-Novena to St $1.28
1-Rhodium Plat $13.56
1-Wisdom and I $18.66
1-Gold Dove Bo $27.20
1-Gold and Sil $64.60
1-Spanish-Engl $16.99
1-Saint Martin $12.75
1-Reading the $8.96
1-Marriage Is $5.06
1-Intercession $6.79
1-St. Christop $30.56
1-Blue and Met $14.41
1-The Essentia $12.71
1-Cat. Chat Vo $12.71
1-Through the $12.71
1-Descent From $219.95
1-Know Him in $11.01
1-Greek: An In $59.95
1-Brown Leathe $7.65
1-St. Alice St $19.13
1-In the Foots $16.96
1-On God and M $13.60
1-Abbey Brand $50.96
1-DaVinci's La $2,921.41
1-Adoration Po $12.71
1-The RSV Cath $28.04
1-Standing Cru $33.96
1-Biblia de Na $40.00
1-Catena Aurea $118.96
1-Blue Neopren $5.53
2-Black Daily $46.71
1-Epic: A Jour $25.46
1-Standing Ang $164.01
2-Douay-Rheims $46.71
1-Our Lady of $12.75
1-Abortion: A $11.01
1-Saint Franci $21.21
1-The Divine P $5.91
1-A New Song f $16.96
1-Diary of Sai $13.56
2-The New Age $8.46
1-Order of Chr $4.21
1-Five Fold Sc $11.01
1-Trust Holy C $0.64
1-A Ritual For $13.56
1-14kt. Our La $283.90
1-Ghirelli Ant $10.20
1-The Most Bea $39.95
1-Christmas Wr $17.00
1-Great Advent $5.91
1-God's Dream $4.50
1-Captivity Le $15.26
1-The Rosary o $10.16
1-The Better P $30.56
1-Large Print $46.71
1-Our Lady of $16.96
1-John Of The $18.66
1-Opening Up t $25.00
1-Soul Of The $4.50
1-Perelandra $11.05
1-Rejoice Jesu $11.86
1-St. Theresa $16.96
1-In the Prese $15.26
1-Simulated Fr $38.25
1-Baroque Styl $209.91
1-Good Morning $0.64
1-St. Christop $23.80
1-True Devotio $6.76
1-U.S. Coast G $10.16
1-Morning Offe $0.64
1-Prodigal Dau $12.71
1-Police Offic $50.96
1-Gold Filled $48.41
1-Apologia Pro $14.45
2-My Daily Bre $7.23
1-Lord's Gym S $15.29
1-Fatima $10.20
1-Little Child $8.50
1-A Still, Sma $11.01
1-Good Morning $14.44
1-What Your Mo $18.66
1-St. Benedict $12.71
1-St. Benedict $55.21
1-Our Lady of $35.70
1-Our Lady of $1.69
1-Keep The Tru $8.49
1-Why Do Catho $14.95
1-The Homescho $21.21
1-La Madonna D $24.61
1-The Lucifer $11.01
1-God is Love $12.71
1-Stalking the $11.90
1-Catholic Bib $4.68
1-St. Benedict $6.38
1-Catechism Of $7.64
1-Theology Of $12.71
1-St. Benedict $50.11
1-Covenant of $11.21
1-All for the $13.99
1-Tabs for the $5.06
1-Eucharistic $11.01
1-Gold 50th An $21.68
1-Light in the $6.38
1-Living the C $9.31
1-Testimony Of $13.56
1-The Holy Euc $6.71
1-Predestinati $15.73
1-Ruby Colored $22.10
1-St. Samuel R $18.70
1-First Commun $4.68
1-Black Leathe $29.95
1-Father Brown $12.71
1-Latin Cross $5.82
1-The Spirit P $2.98
1-Wood Bead Ro $18.66
1-Diary of a C $13.56
1-The Cottage $10.16
1-This Is My B $5.10
1-Ghirelli Gol $254.99
1-New American $6.95
1-Revelation $15.26
1-Red St. Mich $5.10
1-Catholicism $14.41
1-Theology And $15.26
1-Isabella of $20.40
1-Our Lady of $11.86
1-Poppy's Clou $2.50
1-St. Peregrin $8.46
1-Haec Dies Po $3.25
1-With Jesus E $16.96
1-Sacred Hymns $13.56
1-The Children $9.35
1-Lourdes Wate $31.50
1-Puer Natus E $2.50
1-My Angel Wil $8.46
1-Compendium o $12.71
1-The Miracle $11.01
1-14K Gold Cha $80.75
1-The Treasure $12.71
1-Romans and G $15.26
1-Catholic Hou $29.71
1-Two Suitcase $16.96
1-Lourdes Pewt $37.83
1-St. Therese $12.71
1-Born Fundame $12.71
1-Truth and To $15.26
1-Not by Bread $14.41

Subtotal: $21,495.08



HACKER SAFE certified sites prevent over 99.9% of hacker crime.


Site-wide Bestsellers
(30 Day List)
2010 New St. Joseph Sunday Missal and Hymnal
2010 New St. Joseph Sunday Missal and Hymnal

Oplatki Christmas Wafers (Oplatek)
Oplatki Christmas Wafers (Oplatek)

Magnificat Advent Companion 2009
Magnificat Advent Companion 2009

5 Ribbon Chi Rho Bookmark
5 Ribbon Chi Rho Bookmark

Divine Mercy Dog Tag
Divine Mercy Dog Tag

Kissing the Face of God Christmas Card
Kissing the Face of God Christmas Card

Jesse Tree Ornament Kit
Jesse Tree Ornament Kit


Magnificat 165 100


Free Clergy Shirt 165 x 100


Special Features

Information

Specialty Stores

Brother Knight In The Knights of Columbus

We accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, Checks, Money Orders and Paypal.
 More Options
If you would like to place your order over the phone or have any questions about the site,
please call (719)495-7493 or toll-free, (866)428-2820.


By using our site you agree to our terms of use.
All content copyright 2009.