Annunciation

Today

Tomorrow is Advent Sunday. I've decided that the Dixon Facebook page should give us all roles within an advent calendar.

I heaved out the box of decorations that live at the flat, hoping that Lizzie will get the place looking jolly in good time. There's a rather classy black & silver wreath that will go on the front door.

"One thing I've always wanted to do, but so far failed," I said to Paul, " is have a proper Advent wreath, like Mamma did."

In My Day

Mamma's German background led her to introduce a number of rituals that gave a real sense of the approach of Christmas. She used to buy a wreath in time for advent. This was hung horizontally with four wide red ribbons. Its sole decoration were four candle holders. In Advent Sunday one candle would be lit, on the 2nd sunday two, and so on until Christmas Day.

Long before nasty Disney Advent calendars containing chocolate could be bought at any £1 shop, Mamma used to scour exotic stationers and German emporia to provide us with an Advent Calendar. The designs were classic, and just the opening of another door was reward enough. We were absolutely unique among our friends and classmates in having such a delight.

We also didn't forget that St Nicholas, as well as being Santa Claus, also had a festival of his own. On the night of 5th December, Mamma would first read, translating from the German, the story of St Nicholas, coming down from Heaven on a donkey, via a moonbeam, and bringing joy to the poor little girl who couldn't afford the chocolate ship she'd seen in a window.

Then, before we went to bed, we placed our shoes on our window sills, hoping that St N would descend on his moonbeam and fill them with sweeties. We were careful not to be greedy; when Chris suggested he put out a wellington boot one year, Mamma was full of Strewelpeter-type tales of how such greedy children would merely find a stick!

We would wake up early on 6th December and, before it was light, find the shoes filled with goodies, I particularly remember some little chocolate kittens that I was given one year. I could hardly bear to eat them. I don't know how Mamma managed with David being at boarding school; perhaps she sent something care of the matron.

So the days peeled away, each with a special significance, until the big day.

If the Dixons on Facebook are going to be advent calendar items, perhaps my status should be a calendar girl?