Advent - DanishClass101

Advent

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Lesson Transcript

Culture Class: Holidays in Denmark, Lesson 6 - Advent

Hello and welcome to the Culture Class: Holidays in Denmark Series at DanishClass101.com.

In this series, we’re exploring the traditions behind Danish holidays and observances. I’m Michael, and you're listening to Season 1, Lesson 6, Advent. In Danish, it’s called advent.

If the wait until Christmas sometimes feels endless, you can enjoy the four Advent Sundays that lead up to the big day on December 24th. Christmas is all about family. It's the perfect time for creative Christmas ideas, like baking with your children or loved ones.

In this lesson, you'll learn more about how the Danish celebrate the four Advent Sundays leading up to Christmas.

Now, before we go into more detail, do you know the answer to this question:

What color is associated with the Advent period?

If you don't already know, you’ll find out a bit later. Keep listening.

In Christian tradition, Advent is a time of penitence to prepare the "body", krop, and "soul", sjæl, for the celebration of the Nativity and Incarnation of Christ. Today Danes don't typically fast, but instead, warm up to Christmas by lighting a candle on the Advent wreath every Advent Sunday until all four have been lit.

In the past, the Advent wreath was made of spruce and hung on a ribbon from the attic, but these days people usually just decorate Advent candles while putting their own spin on the traditional Advent wreath.

In addition to traditions within the home, it’s also customary in many schools and institutions to make Christmas "decorations," or dekorationer. It’s also common to make Christmas hearts, Christmas stars, cornets, Santas, and colorful garlands from glossy paper. Many people also make Christmas decorations from natural objects and put up ribbons, Christmas ornaments, and lights.

If you're really creative, you could always bake old Christmas fare such as "brown cookies", or brunkager, Finnish bread, honey cakes, or specier — which are sweet, flat, round cookies.

Another Christmas goodie is the apple fritter, often paired with mulled wine and lemonade. Apple fritters, mulled wine, and Christmas baking can also be found at most church events on Advent Sundays. And if you’re not a church-goer, you could instead attend many of the exciting Christmas fairs.

Instead of a gift calendar with 24 small gifts, many people give their children bigger Advent gifts.

There are only four gifts, but they are usually much bigger, and include things like books or luxury chocolate.

Now it's time to answer our quiz question:

What color is associated with the Advent period?

It’s purple. This is the liturgical color of Advent which symbolizes penitence and preparation.