What is Advent? Meaning, dates and traditions

As the calendar approaches the end of November, many Danish homes begin lighting the first candles and getting out the Christmas decorations. This period has a name, namely Advent, and it follows its own rhythm, which doesn't always fall on the same dates as the rest of the Christmas preparations.

In this guide, you'll get a clear explanation of what Advent actually covers, when the Sundays fall in the coming years, and how traditions such as the Advent wreath, Advent candlestick and Advent stars relate to the period.

The short answer: how Advent fits together

Advent covers the four weeks leading up to Christmas, where each Sunday marks a new stage in the run-up to Christmas Day. In the church calendar, the first Sunday of Advent also marks the start of a brand new church year, which means that both hymns and Sunday readings change, while most homes begin decorating and lighting candles. The four Sundays are simply called the first, second, third and fourth Sunday of Advent, and they follow closely one after another towards Christmas Eve. Because Advent is tied to Sundays rather than fixed dates, the start varies from year to year, but always falls within the same period at the end of November.

What does Advent mean

Advent comes from the Latin adventus Domini, which means the Lord's coming. The name points directly to what the period is about: the preparation for the birth of Jesus on 25 December. In the Christian tradition, Advent is therefore not just a practical run-up to Christmas, but a time when the church marks the wait for an event celebrated as the very core of Christmas.

Historically, Advent goes a long way back. Already in the 11th century, the Christmas fast was given the name Advent, and the period was set at four weeks. That structure of four Sundays has been preserved ever since, which is also why we today speak of the first, second, third and fourth Sunday of Advent, whether you experience the period as a church tradition or mostly as a cosy run-up to Christmas at home.

Dates for Advent in the coming years

Because Advent always begins on a Sunday, the first Sunday of Advent doesn't fall on a fixed date. It falls on the Sunday in the week from 27 November to and including 3 December, and the following Sundays follow right after at one-week intervals. Below you can see the dates for the coming years.

For 2027 and 2028, only the first Sunday of Advent is mentioned here. The remaining Sundays follow the same pattern: a new Sunday every week leading up to Christmas.

Traditions in Advent: lights, wreath and stars

One of the most widespread traditions in Advent is the Advent wreath, which holds four candles, one for each Sunday. You light the first candle on the first Sunday of Advent, the second candle on the second Sunday, and so on, until all four candles are burning together just before Christmas. Many people choose, instead of or alongside the wreath, a Advent candlestick, where the candles stand in a row and are lit in the same order.

Besides the candles in the candlestick or wreath, many windows are decorated with Advent stars that light up the dark afternoons. The tradition comes from Germany, where the first Advent star was hung up in the 1880s, and it has since spread to Danish homes as a permanent part of the Christmas decorations.

Finally, calendars are also part of the tradition. The Advent calendar follows the Sundays, while other types of calendars count the days in December, which you can read more about in the next section.

Advent calendar, Christmas calendar or gift calendar: what's the difference

Advent calendar, Christmas calendar and gift calendar are often used interchangeably, but they actually follow different rhythms. An Advent calendar is tied to the Sundays of Advent, i.e. the four Sundays leading up to Christmas, and therefore only has four or five doors, depending on whether Christmas Day itself is included.

A Christmas calendar and gift calendar, on the other hand, follow the 24 days of December up to Christmas Eve, and here you open a door every day, regardless of the day of the week. This is the version most people know best today, with chocolate, pictures or small gifts behind each door. So when someone talks about an Advent calendar with 24 doors, strictly speaking they mean a Christmas calendar, even though the names are often mixed up in everyday language.

How to decorate for Advent at home

If you're decorating for Advent, candles are the natural starting point. A Advent candlestick gives a calm and unified look, with all four candles standing in a row, and it works well both on the dining table and on a console table in the hallway. If you have a taste for figurative candlesticks, a hot dog candlestick from Kersten or a croissant candlestick from Kersten can add a playful twist to the Christmas table, while a peacock candlestick from Kersten or a sardine candlestick from GiftCompany adds colour and character if you'd rather move away from the classic look. If you want a touch of green, a green fish candlestick from &Klevering can also be used to build on the Christmas decorations all year round.

Around the candles, it's natural to gather other Christmas decorations, such as Christmas hangings in the window or on the branches, and preferably candles in several sizes, so you can mix short and tall candles depending on how far along you are in Advent.

Summary

Advent is the four Sundays before Christmas Day, when both the church calendar and many homes shift to a brighter, cosier mood. With the dates in place and traditions like the Advent wreath, Advent candlestick and Advent stars, you can plan your Sundays and decorations to suit your home.

Read also

• How to create cosiness with real candles
• Christmas decorations for the home: Create the perfect festive atmosphere
• Christmas decorations with personality: How to build a unique Christmas collection
• Candle guide: Types, sizes and burn time