The Advent calendars for 2013 are ready for purchase. But when are the Advent dates for this year?
Western Christianity has Advent beginning on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day, according to About.com.
That makes the four Advent dates: December 1, December 8, December 15, and December 22.
Eastern Orthodox churches use the Julian calendar and have Advent beginning on November 15 and lasting 40 days.
The Advent calendar is traditionally used to promote prayer and retrospection in the month of December leading up to and beyond Christmas.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has a calendar (pdf), for example, that lists an activity to do every day.
