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Most of us think of the Christmas season as the week before Christmas and the period of days leading into the New Year. But historically, the Christmas advent season kicks in a good month before the actual celebration. These days, advent calendars usually mark off the days with a piece of chocolate or a small gift every day until the magic of Christmas Day unfolds.
While Advent is now a time of anticipation, a run-up to the big day, it was originally a time of penance and reflection which was treated as a time to atone for any sins committed throughout the year. The term itself dates back to the 10th century and marked the approach or ‘coming or the gods’, a reference to the much anticipated second coming of Jesus Christ.
During this period, congregations were encouraged to think about their sins and repent in preparation for a possible doomsday. Advent calendars weren’t a thing yet, but there were advent boxes which were made of wood that would contain finely dressed effigies of Jesus and the Virgin Mary which were thought to bring luck.
In a similar fashion to Lent, this was also a time of fasting which would traditionally begin on the 11th of November and would mean abstaining from meat, alcohol and any vice-like behaviour. Some believe that this fasting had multiple reasons beyond the religious aspect. For many commoners, Christmas would be the most important feast of the year and would significantly impact their spending for the month. A period of fasting beforehand not only allowed them to reflect but also a chance to save enough to justify the splurge on Christmas Day.
Stollen, a citrussy fruit-filled cake, emerged as an advent dish during this period of fasting when bakers were prohibited from using butter. Initially, it was a hard cake made of flour, yeast, water, and turnip oil, shaped to resemble Jesus in swaddling clothes. Protests against its near-inedible nature led to Saxony's inhabitants gaining permission to use butter, albeit with a fee paid to the Church. Today's beloved stollen is a far cry from its austere origins, featuring a generous amount of butter in the dough and a sugary coating.
Another cake treat that is associated with Advent is the Figgy Pudding. Sunday preceding the commencement of advent is fondly referred to as 'stir up Sunday,' marking the day when people traditionally prepare their puddings. This early preparation ensures that the puddings have ample time to mature and are ready for the festive season.
Advent ushers in the twelve days before Christmas which were a period of indulgence and revelry and for many countries, the time to begin preparing for the big feast of Christmas day. In the modern context, advent is more of a sedate period and more likely to be a time to send out Christmas cards and start the festive season shopping, but advent calendars are an ongoing reminder of the history and traditions linked to the advent season.