The History of Advent Calendars
The Advent calendar, a cherished holiday tradition, has a rich history that dates back to the 19th century in Germany. Originally, German Lutherans would mark the days leading up to Christmas by drawing chalk lines on doors or lighting candles daily. These early customs set the foundation for what would later become the Advent calendar.
The modern version of the Advent calendar was first created by Gerhard Lang in the early 1900s. Inspired by his mother, who used to give him a hand-made calendar with 24 small drawings attached to a board, Lang took this idea further. His first printed calendar featured little doors, which could be opened to reveal Christian images or Bible verses for each day of Advent. These calendars became extremely popular in Germany, particularly among children. Lang's company printed these calendars until it went out of business during World War II, when paper shortages halted production.
After the war, the Advent calendar regained its popularity, particularly with the introduction of chocolate-filled versions in the 1950s. This added an element of surprise and delight, turning the calendar into not only a tool for spiritual reflection but also a fun holiday tradition for children. Over time, calendars have returned to more of the tradtional Chjristmas message or scripture sharing. Despite modern adaptations, the advent calendar’s core concept - counting down the days to Christmas—remains rooted in the Christian tradition of Advent, symbolizing preparation and anticipation of the celebration of Christ's birth.
Below are some photos of avrious Advent calendars:
