Countdown to Christmas

Advent (from the Latin word meaning "coming") is a season observed in many Western Christian churches, a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. It is the beginning of the Western liturgical year and commences on Advent Sunday, called Levavi...

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Advent Wreaths have origins in traditions of Scandinavia, where in the middle of winter people lit candles on wheel-shaped bundles of evergreen. By the Middle Ages, Christians adapted this tradition as part of a spiritual preparation for Christmas.

An advent wreath traditionally contains four candles; three purple and one rose. Each part of the wreath has it's own meaning. The evergreen circle signifies continuous life, the three purple candles symbolize hope, peace, & love, the rose candle symbolizes joy, and The light from the flame signifies Christ, the Light of the world.

The Advent Calendar can be traced back to Germany in the 19th Century. Families would count down the days until Christmas Eve by making a chalk mark for every day in December.

The first known Advent Calendar was created by hand in 1851. The date of the first printed Advent Calendar isn't as certain. Depending on the source it was either 1903 or 1908. Little doors that could be opened were added to the calendars early in the 20th century offering little surprises such as a picture, bible quote, or piece of candy hidden behind them. Variations later evolved to include detailed fabric and felt wall hangings, and freestanding wooden calendars.

Joseph Leading Mary on Donkey Art Print

Digital Rudolph Christmas Countdown
$39.99

The fiber-optic accented resin figurine has a digital display that shows the number of days, hours, minutes and seconds until Christmas day! Personalize the base with any message on 1 line, up to 22 characters. Uses 3 AA batteries (not included).
Measures 11" H x 8 1/2" W x 5 1/2" D.

Follow Santa Claus on Christmas Eve as he travels around the world with NORAD

For over 50 years, NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command), and previously CONAD (Continental Air Defense Command), have tracked Santa's journey each Christmas.

The tradition began in 1955 after a store advertisement for children included a misprinted telephone number to call Santa. Instead of Santa, children ended up calling the CONAD Commander-in-Chief's operations. Colonel Harry Shoup received the first Santa call. Wanting to help the children Colonel Shoup had his staff check radar data to see if they could spot Santa making his way from the North Pole. As it turned out there were signs of Santa and children who called were given an update on Santa's position. Thus, the tradition was born. NORAD carried out its first Santa tracking in 1958 after inheriting the tradition. :D

Nativity Scenes are depiction of the birthplace of Jesus, usually showing Jesus in a manger with Mary & Joseph in a barn. Three Wise Men, shepherds, angels and animals including sheep, donkeys, and oxen are also commonly found in nativity sets.

The first nativity scenes were said to be created by St. Francis of Assisi in the 12th century. The original nativity set was live, with people dressed as Mary and Joseph, and real animals used in the barn. The sets were displayed at the front of churches and temples.

Later, artists began carving these images into wood, stone or ivory. Today, nativity sets are a popular Christmas decoration in many homes. The materials used range from paper mache, to glass, to resin or ceramic.

The partridge in a pear tree represents Jesus Christ
2 Turtle Doves refers to the Old and New Testaments
3 French Hens refers to Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues
4 Calling Birds refers to the Four Gospels; Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
5 Golden Rings refers to the first Five Books of the Old Testament
6 Geese A-laying refers to the six days of creation
7 Swans A-swimming refers to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit
8 Maids A-milking refers to the eight Beatitudes
9 Ladies Dancing refers to the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
10 Lords A-leaping refers to the ten commandments
11 Pipers Piping refers to the eleven Faithful Apostles
12 Drummers Drumming refers to the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed

On the first day of Christmas,
my true love gave to me
A partridge in a pear tree.

On the second day of Christmas,
my true love gave to me
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the third day of Christmas,
my true love gave to me
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the fourth day of Christmas,
my true love gave to me
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the fifth day of Christmas,
my true love gave to me
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the sixth day of Christmas,
my true love gave to me
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the seventh day of Christmas,
my true love gave to me
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the eighth day of Christmas,
my true love gave to me
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the ninth day of Christmas,
my true love gave to me
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the tenth day of Christmas,
my true love gave to me
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the eleventh day of Christmas,
my true love gave to me
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the twelfth day of Christmas,
my true love gave to me
Twelve drummers drumming,
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree!