The Advent tradition in Alsace style

Today, the word “Advent” generally makes everyone think of the popular advent calendars that help little ones (and grown-ups) count down to the big day: Christmas Day. However, the true tradition of Advent has plenty of meaning behind its original form: a wreath.

The Advent wreath: a Christian creation

From the Latin adventus, which means “arrival”, the Advent period covers the four weeks leading up to the birth of Jesus Christ, which is celebrated on 25^th December. Ancient texts tell us that, in the 19^th Century, a German pastor set up 24 candles, one for each day of December. Each day, he would light the candles, lighting an extra one each day until, on the last day, all of the candles were shining to represent the arrival of Jesus Christ.

Over the centuries, the tradition has evolved and we now only use four candles (one for each Sunday in Advent), placed around a fir wreath. To this day, as December approaches, people make wreaths decorated with candles (traditionally red) and light an extra candle each Sunday.

The values behind the Advent tradition

Advent Sundays are a wonderful occasion to spend quality time with family, light a candle, and honour the values associated with each week:

• The first Sunday (1^st December 2024) symbolises forgiveness;
• The second Sunday (8^th December 2024) celebrates Christian faith;
• The third Sunday (15^th December 2024) embodies joy;
• And lastly, the fourth Sunday (22^nd December 2024) calls for peace and justice.

On top of these spiritual meanings, Advent is also a month dedicated to patients. Many people (us included) like to pass time during the wait by giving in to the temptation of the sweet treats, chocolates and biscuits that are in abundance at this time of year…

Sweet treats to share during Advent

The Advent period is also a great time to get friends and family together for dinner and finish off the meal with indulgent festive cakes and biscuits… Just what’s needed for wonderful quality time. Amongst these sweet treats, there’s the Alsace must-have: the Kougelhopf. Plus, it’s unique shape does look rather like an Advent wreath! You can delight any sweet tooth at the table with the sweet version, filled with almonds and raisins, or you can try the savoury version which is baked with bacon lardons and walnuts. Whichever you pick, you can savour delicious flavours knowing that each of our brioches is handmade by our pâtissiers.

Just like all our other creations, bursting with festive flavours. Take the Beerawecka, for example, which is flavoured with pear brandy and full of dried fruit. Then, there’s our Christstollen, an iconic Christmas treat, generously filled with hazelnuts, almonds, candied fruit, and an indulgent marzipan centre. We carefully select each and every ingredient that goes into our products in order to guarantee that we serve nothing but the highest quality, with a little bit of the magic of Christmas in every bite.

Related products

• Christstollen
• Beerawecka
• Traditional Kougelhopf
• Savoury Kougelhopf