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AdventAdvent—from "adventus," the Latin word for “arrival”—is a season of observance that forms part of the annual liturgy (or public worship) of many Christian denominations. Generally spanning the four weeks leading up to Christmas, the tradition emerged in fourth-century Christian communities in Western Europe and is observed by both the religious and as part of the secular holiday calendar. Early forms of observance—especially in Gaul and parts of Spain—focused on both the Incarnation (or birth of Christ) and the Second Coming of Christ, core tenets of the Christian faith. The season was marked by a penitential attitude, in contrast to contemporary expressions of cheer. Varying regional differences converged into a standard tradition during the Middle Ages, which more closely linked the season to the Christmas story. Today, Advent is observed with church attendance and the lighting of Advent candles on wreaths—one candle each Sunday, often associated with spiritual virtues like hope and joy, traditions established by Lutherans in 19th-century Germany. Beyond religious observance, the modern season is also defined by Advent calendars—many mass-marketed—that count down the days to Christmas.Explore Advent

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'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' was inspired by a real-life AliceCarroll invented "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" to entertain a family with whom he was traveling, particularly its young children, one of whom, Alice, he worked into the story. Scholars have scrutinized the relationship between Carroll and Alice, with many biographers noting that many of the photographs he took during his career were portraits of children. Weird History Lewis Carroll's 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' turned the fantasy genre upside downA lot of 19th-century British fantasy was often stiff; its children’s literature was often overly didactic. Carroll’s novel—about a young girl who falls into an unusual world full—was neither, offering vivid, psychedelic imagery and seemingly nonsensical word games. The Guardian Advent calendars have become a major seasonal driver for brandsCompanies now treat Advent calendars as key holiday products, expanding production as demand surges across categories. Retail data shows beauty and self-care calendars consistently rank among the most popular, as some brands report selling out yearly, and retailers order months in advance. Modern Retail The first chocolate Advent calendar appeared in 1958Chocolate Advent calendars began in 1958, when German companies first paired the traditional countdown with small pieces of chocolate behind each door. The idea spread slowly at first, but eventually became one of the most popular Advent calendar formats worldwide. Harry Specters German printer Richard Sellmer revived Advent calendars after World War IIAdvent calendar production resumed in 1946, when German printer Richard Sellmer began issuing nostalgic winter-town designs that became classics, later exporting them to the United States. His company still operates today, producing more than 140 varieties. Sellmer Adventskalender See how Advent traditions vary widely around the worldAdvent is celebrated in distinct ways across countries—Chinese Christians hang colorful lanterns, Mexicans reenact Las Posadas processions, Germans light weekly wreath candles, and Hungarians attend dawn matins—reflecting how local cultures shape the season’s preparation. CNN Hear how Advent calendars have become a pricy branding toolAdvent calendars have shifted into a high-margin branding vehicle, with retailers prioritizing elaborate design and reusable packaging. This episode questions whether premium calendars—despite their rising prices, environmental concerns, and flashy marketing—actually deliver products worth the cost. Business Daily A German town transforms its entire city hall into a massive Advent calendarGengenbach turns its 18th-century town hall into a 24-window Advent calendar attracting up to 220,000 visitors each December. Each night reveals new art, reviving winter tourism in the town. Montana Public Radio ‘Compound chocolate’ lacks cocoa butter, making Advent calendar candy taste differentOne of the fun aspects of the contemporary Advent calendar, making them irresistible to children, are the numerous little chocolates often tucked inside little paper flaps, marking each day leading to Christmas. That chocolate tastes different because it’s likely made from inexpensive fats like palm kernel oil, not cocoa butter. Mental Floss Tiffany & Co. released a $200K Advent calendar in 2021Tiffany & Co. has released ultra-luxury Advent calendars containing more than $100K worth of jewelry, including gold bracelets, diamond earrings, and platinum pendants. The 2021 edition cost $200K and featured daily drawers of high-end pieces. GQ Australia See some of the weirdest Advent calendars you can buyModern Advent calendars span nearly every niche imaginable. Shoppers can now buy versions filled with cheese, dog treats, hot sauce, and even sexual-wellness products, reflecting how far the tradition has expanded beyond simple chocolate countdowns. HELLO!Luxury Advent calendars now include fine china, jewelry, and rare whiskyAdvent calendars have shifted sharply upmarket, with retailers offering versions filled with bone china ornaments, gold jewelry, premium beauty products and even rare whisky. Some cost hundreds or thousands of pounds, including a £10,000 whisky calendar and Dior's £570 perfume-filled set. the Guardian Chanel faced major backlash in 2021 over its $825 Advent calendarChanel’s $825 Advent calendar drew millions of views on TikTok after shoppers unboxed items like stickers, string bracelets, and a standard dust bag—products many felt didn’t match the luxury price. The viral controversy made the calendar one of the year's most criticized holiday releases. Business Insider How ‘O Come, O Come, Emmanuel’ became a beloved, haunting Advent hymnThe text of the hymn is rooted in the ancient O Antiphons. The melancholic melody was traced to an anonymous 15th-century author. The hymn stands as one of the few standard Christmas carols actually intended to be sung during the season of Advent. Listen to the song’s history here. America The traditional colors of Advent are purple, rose, and whitePurple is Advent’s primary color, symbolizing preparation and prayer; rose appears on the third Sunday to signal joy; and white, used for the fifth Advent candle or Christmas liturgies, represents purity and celebration as Christmas arrives. Learn Religions Nazi Germany replaced Advent calendars with depictions of family life under Nazi ruleDuring World War II, the Nazi regime banned printed Advent calendars because of religious messaging. Officials instead produced state-approved versions featuring swastikas, tanks, and Nazi symbols. Calvin University The first printed Advent calendars were from Germany in the early 1900sPrinted Advent calendars originated in early-20th-century Germany, where printer Gerhard Lang created the first commercially produced versions. Inspired by his mother’s homemade countdowns, Lang added small doors in the 1920s, establishing the format that spread worldwide. The People's Friend The Advent wreath marks each week before Christmas with the lighting of candlesAn Advent wreath is a circle of evergreens holding four candles—one for each Sunday of Advent. Christians light a new candle each week, often tied to themes like hope or joy, creating a visible countdown to Christmas. Regina Angelorum Academy Many Christians observe a different theme for each week of AdventMany churches structure Advent around weekly themes—often hope, peace, joy, and love—which shape sermons, prayers, Scripture readings, and the lighting of candles on the Advent wreath. The specific themes vary widely across denominations and communities. Harvard University Advent's length varies from 21 to 28 days each yearBecause Advent always begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, its duration varies. When Christmas falls on a Monday, Advent is unusually short, and when it falls on a Sunday, it can be nearly four full weeks long. Busted Halo Advent originally had almost nothing to do with the Christmas storyEarly Advent wasn’t about celebrating Jesus’s birth. In the 5th and 6th centuries, the season focused almost entirely on preparing for Christ’s Second Coming and “final judgment.” Advent’s connection to the Nativity only emerged centuries later. History Hit Some Christian communities start Advent six weeks before Christmas instead of fourWhile most Western churches begin Advent on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, the Ambrosian Rite (northern Italy) and the Mozarabic Rite (Spain) begin six Sundays before Christmas. Liturgical Arts Journal Advent marks the beginning of the church calendar in Western ChristianityEach denomination’s calendar of holy days varies, but most mark the start of a new year at the beginning of Advent. Within Roman Catholicism, Advent is a distinct period from Christmas, alongside other seasons: Ordinary Time, Lent, Easter, Holy Week, and Pentecost. Catholic Central The earliest Advent was a Lent-like fast beginning Nov. 11In 490, Bishop Perpetuus of Tours ordered Christians to fast three days a week from St. Martin’s Day (Nov. 11) until Christmas. This 40-day season—called St. Martin’s Lent—is one of the earliest documented forms of Advent. OnePeterFive One of the earliest Advent practices came as a response to a heretical movementIn 380 CE, the Council of Saragossa met to oppose the spread of Priscillianism, a local heresy. The council ordered Christians to observe strict church attendance from Dec. 17 to Christmas—one of the earliest documented Advent-like practices. Study of Antiquity and the Middle Ages Twain started writing 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn' to distract himselfIn 1876, Twain mentioned that “a double-barreled novel” he’d been working on was essentially dead. Instead, he began working on “another boys’ book—more to be at work than anything else.” That book was “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” the text that would go on to define American literature. Mark Twain Project HBO is known for its adventurous original seriesThe premium network is known for groundbreaking shows like “The Sopranos,” “Sex and the City,” “The Wire,” “Game of Thrones,” Succession,” and more. Unlike traditional broadcast television, HBO shows were not bound by strict time limits, advertising, or FCC regulations, allowing for more creative freedom. It's Been a Minute Why Percival Everett decided to reimagine 'Adventures of Huckleberry Finn'Percival Everett's novel "James"—a retelling of Mark Twain's "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" by Jim, an escaped slave—was one of the most acclaimed books of 2024. In this interview, Everett explains why he decided to rework the classic American novel and why he felt it was necessary to infuse his own with a different voice. Amanpour and Company Explore the scale of the universe in this interactive adventureThe sheer enormity of the universe escapes our ability to conceive of its scale, despite the best efforts of human imagination. This interactive provides an intuitive sense of how small we are, from a single astronaut to the Milky Way and beyond. Neal.Fun An interactive trip through the Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest living structureIn this online adventure, users can explore the structure and history of Australia's coral reef, learn how scientists gather data and research the environment, view and listen to the organisms that make the reef their home, and simulate the evolution of the ecosystem, which spans the size of Italy, in various simulations. David Attenborough's Great Barrier Reef USA Television Network fictional series Royal Pains spotlights concierge medicineThis fictional television series, that aired from 2009-16, chronicles the adventures of a doctor who transitioned into offering concierge medicine for a big-spender clientele. As a private physician-for-hire he is on call to provide care 24/7. IMDB Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez reportedly spent between $47M and $56M on their 2025 wedding in ItalyBezos is no stranger to writing big checks: His Gulfstream G700 jet cost about $80M, while his yacht was reportedly $500M. GOBankingRates Pig organ transplants are apparently kosher—you just can’t eat themScience writer Mary Roach speaks with journalist Terry Gross about her latest book, “Replaceable You: Adventures in Human Anatomy” and discusses topics including why pig organs have become of such interest and what religious leaders have told her about pig organs and compliance with Jewish dietary law. NPR 'I can’t go back to yesterday–because I was a different person then.'- "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" author Lewis Carroll (1832 - 1898) Dubbed 'stalkers,' some Ukrainian youth illegally explore Chernobyl's exclusion zoneA subculture of thrill-seekers, driven by a desire for rebellion and adventure, is representative of dark tourism in the region. Some stalkers sneak past militia posts to venture into abandoned ruins, risking radiation exposure while scavenging for ruins of the past. Cultures of Resistance Films Early European observance varied between penitential and celebratory seasonsFor centuries, churches disagreed over the purpose of Advent: Gaul and Spain treated it as a long, penitential fast beginning on November 11, while Rome observed a shorter, more joyful season. These competing traditions were only blended into a unified Advent in the Middle Ages. Catholic Culture Many consider Twain 'the father of American literature'In "Green Hills of Africa," Ernest Hemingway declared that all modern American literature sprang from Twain's "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn." That's a sentiment shared by many scholars, who assert that Twain's book changed American fiction by challenging the country's racist history and incorporating a more realistic vernacular. HISTORY The first women to run the Colorado River discovered four plant speciesOver 45 days and 660 miles, Elzada Clover and Lois Jotter identified more than 50 species in what was the first botanical survey of the region. Expected to help navigate boats and cook for the crew during the day, their work was confined to before dawn and after dusk. Atlas Obscura Take an interactive tour through Australia's Great Barrier ReefThis adventure offers spherical panoramas of marine wildlife, including manta rays, loggerhead turtles, and bottlenose dolphins. The shipwreck of a luxury passenger vessel and coral reef systems are also explored with underwater audio recordings of the environment. Google Arts & Culture William HH Murray spurred American interest in rustic retreatsMurray's 1869 self-help book, "Adventures in the Wilderness; or, Camp-Life in the Adirondacks," encouraged urban residents to embrace outdoor activities, depicting upstate New York as an unsullied paradise free from the chaos of city life. Smithsonian Magazine Broadway's nickname is 'the Great White Way'Thanks to the advent of electricity, by the middle of the 19th century, theaters in the Broadway area were illuminated by lampposts and marquees. The nickname “the Great White Way” describes how it looked at night. The term is still used today. Backstage 'I Love to Eat' was the first nationally televised cooking showBeard’s show, cohosted with Julia Child, debuted in 1946. It was invaluable in setting the stage for today’s massive trove of televised and online cooking content. American Masters PBS Play an interactive game to explore and learn about Hubble imagesAboard the fictional USS Hubble, users can choose their own adventure to investigate the solar system, our galaxy, and the universe beyond. Each option directs users to a real image accompanied by relevant information and additional media elements, such as a timelapse of the moon Phobos orbiting Mars. NASA Science 'Red envelope' payments spurred WeChat's financial services growthWhat started as a messaging platform morphed into much more with the advent of so-called red envelope payments, where friends, colleagues, and acquaintances recreate an age-old Chinese custom with the tap of a finger. The viral custom helped WeChat expand its digital payment services, effectively becoming a “superapp.” Fast Company Lucha libre is Mexico's high-flying spin on pro wrestlingLucha libre, a Mexican style of professional wrestling that roughly translates to “free fighting,” shares some common characteristics with the American style, though it’s a genre in and of itself, with high-flying acrobatics, masked wrestlers and longstanding traditions. Vibe Adventures California startup Rivian has attracted disillusioned Tesla ownersSome electric vehicle buyers frustrated by Elon Musk's antics have been won over by the adventure-focused company, which has received a $5B investment from the Volkswagen Group to develop crossover and hatchback models with solid-state batteries. InsideEVs Memes grew alongside the internetEarly memes featured static images with superimposed text, but grew animated with the advent of video-sharing sites like YouTube and GIF-friendly imageboards like 4chan. WIRED Memes can be traced back to the chain letterSuch intentional reshaping of communication transmissions dates back at least hundreds of years to the advent of the chain letter, a type of message that asks readers to create their own copy or at least forward it to others. Daniel W. VanArsdale An overview of 200 years of diabetes treatmentDiabetes treatment became truly effective after the advent of insulin injections in the early 1900s. Diabetes is becoming increasingly common. Current trends estimate one in three Americans will have diabetes by 2050. This overview explores two centuries of diabetes treatment—starting in 1812—and outline potential challenges to treatment and prevention. The New England Journal of Medicine Who was behind the fatal 1982 Tylenol poisonings?In 1982, an unknown suspect laced Tylenol packages with potassium cyanide in a Chicago pharmacy. Seven people were killed, and the case led to a nationwide panic, as well as the development of tamper-resistant packaging. No one was ever charged with the deaths, and the lead suspect died in 2023 after serving time in prison for trying to extort $1 million from a manufacturer to "stop the killing." Truly*Adventurous

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