The village has a lovely tradition where 24 houses volunteer to dress their windows during Advent. Each is assigned a date and at 5 pm on that date, they turn on the lights.
It makes my walks more interesting, as I search for the next number. It’s like a treasure hunt of sorts.
It’s not a tradition specific to our village, or even Hungary. Other villages have a different take. They invite people to visit them for the turning on of the lights at 5 pm, a chance, perhaps, to share this year’s batch of pálinka. And while I like that, I’d be a tad disappointed if nobody showed up.
I read that in Sweden, in the 1800s, people would light candles in their windows during Advent to light the way. In Stockholm, in 2005, the country’s first Levande julkalendern (Living Advent) took place.
Twenty years earlier, in Switzerland, in 1985, in the village of Aargau, the idea was born (or so I read). They call it Adventsfenster. It was a way to get the villagers to know each other.
Twenty years later, it’s caught on, with many towns, villages, and housing estates around the world proud of their Adventsfenster.
The Austrian Embassy in Bangkok has taken its Advent Windows online to introduce Austria to its host country.
I haven’t been in the village for Christmas – except that one year during COVID – so I haven’t been able to take part. Until now.
This year will be different in so many ways.
As I dig through the Christmas decorations I brought home from Alaska, decorations my mam hijacked and used for the last however many years, it’s all a tad nostalgic.
It’ll be strange to see ‘her’ decorations in my house this year. It’ll be strange not to be with her and Boss. It’ll be strange alright.
But strange isn’t necessarily bad.
Sticking with the old Irish tradition of not putting up any decorations before 8 December, I have to wait to unleash the full Alaskan experience. Himself has already released his inner child and is wrapping everything that stands still long enough in lights. Solar powered, I’ll have you know.
As I’m not usually one for making a big thing of Christmas, this tiny flicker of excitement has me puzzled. I wonder if being part of the Advent Windows is a testament to being part of the village community.
Whatever it is, I’m grateful for it.
4 responses
That’s a nice tradition Mary.
A couple of years ago, our local church organised for volunteers to have a Christmas star in their window for a night (and on to another house next night).
Are you one of the 24 in your village this year?
Enjoy and take care, Pat M
I am indeed – can’t say which date though – it’s a secret – but I’ll be sure to send you a photo of it when it goes live 🙂
With social media, Ring/Nest doorbells and Covid era anxiety sowing seeds of distrust regarding strangers, neighbors & even local children- we need a positive and soul satisfying interaction to combat the fear. We need to get to know our neighbors, to help our neighbors and to let them help us. And to enjoy their company- to spend time with them. The Advent calendar is a perfect antidote. Thank you for sharing!
So lovely to hear from you MaryJo. Appreciate you taking the time to comment. I hope all is well in your world and that life is treating you kindly. It is a lovely tradition, I agree. You’ll see from Pat’s comment another tradition – that of the travelling star.