<strong>Advent in Austria:</strong> This is the so-called Silent Night Chapel in Oberndorf bei Salzburg. It stands on the same site as the former St. Nicholas Church, where the beloved hymn was first performed in 1818.
Advent in Austria: This is the so-called Silent Night Chapel in Oberndorf bei Salzburg. It stands on the same site as the former St. Nicholas Church, where the beloved hymn was first performed in 1818.
Johannes Simon/Bongarts/Getty Images
<strong>Advent in Austria:</strong> The Salzburg Cathedral provides a stunning backdrop for Christmas markets and festivities.
Advent in Austria: The Salzburg Cathedral provides a stunning backdrop for Christmas markets and festivities.
Alamy
<strong>Advent in China:</strong> St. Ignatius Cathedral (and called Xujiahui Catholic Church in Shanghai) is one of the city's iconic buildings. In December 2017, it reopened to the public after a two-year renovation. The building was once the largest cathedral in East Asia.
Advent in China: St. Ignatius Cathedral (and called Xujiahui Catholic Church in Shanghai) is one of the city's iconic buildings. In December 2017, it reopened to the public after a two-year renovation. The building was once the largest cathedral in East Asia.
Stringer/Imaginechina/AP
<strong>Advent in China:</strong> The secular Christmas season is becoming more popular in China. Visitors will find decorations and holiday decor for sale in a shop in Shanghai.
Advent in China: The secular Christmas season is becoming more popular in China. Visitors will find decorations and holiday decor for sale in a shop in Shanghai.
Stringer/Imaginechina/AP
<strong>Advent in Croatia:</strong> Zagreb Cathedral of the Assumption is seen in the background as paper lanterns are released as a part of Christmas festivities in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia.
Advent in Croatia: Zagreb Cathedral of the Assumption is seen in the background as paper lanterns are released as a part of Christmas festivities in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia.
Darko Bandic/AP
<strong>Advent in Croatia:</strong> Yes, it gets cold in Zagreb during the Christmas and Advent season, but the atmosphere is both festive and reverent and makes for a memorable journey.
Advent in Croatia: Yes, it gets cold in Zagreb during the Christmas and Advent season, but the atmosphere is both festive and reverent and makes for a memorable journey.
Alen Gurovic/NurPhoto/Getty Images
<strong>Advent in Germany: </strong>The signature symbol of the season, an Advent wreath lights up the interior of evangelical Sankt-Petri Church in Magdeburg, which is about 150 kilometers (93 miles) southwest of Berlin.
Advent in Germany: The signature symbol of the season, an Advent wreath lights up the interior of evangelical Sankt-Petri Church in Magdeburg, which is about 150 kilometers (93 miles) southwest of Berlin.
Peter Gercke/picture alliance/Getty Images
<strong>Advent in Hungary:</strong> Children ice skate in front of St. Stephen Basilica in Budapest, the second largest church in Hungary.
Advent in Hungary: Children ice skate in front of St. Stephen Basilica in Budapest, the second largest church in Hungary.
Awakening/Getty Images
<strong>Advent in Hungary:</strong> Beiglis are the taste of Advent in Hungary. A beigli is a rolled crust traditionally filled with poppy seeds or walnuts.
Advent in Hungary: Beiglis are the taste of Advent in Hungary. A beigli is a rolled crust traditionally filled with poppy seeds or walnuts.
Shutterstock
<strong>Advent in Mexico:</strong> Advent and the Christmas season in general are big in Mexico. Decorations are displayed for sale at a market in Mexico City.
Advent in Mexico: Advent and the Christmas season in general are big in Mexico. Decorations are displayed for sale at a market in Mexico City.
DAVID GANNON/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Advent in Mexico:</strong> The Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral is a magnificent house of worship, especially during Advent.
Advent in Mexico: The Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral is a magnificent house of worship, especially during Advent.
Frederic Soltan/CorbisGetty Images
<strong>Advent in Poland:</strong> Overwhelmingly Catholic Poland takes Advent and Christmas seriously. This is a general view of the Christmas Market in Krakow's Main Square.
Advent in Poland: Overwhelmingly Catholic Poland takes Advent and Christmas seriously. This is a general view of the Christmas Market in Krakow's Main Square.
Artur Widak/NurPhoto/Getty Images
<strong>Advent in Poland:</strong> St. Mary's Basilica, In Krakow's Main Square, goes back centuries -- to 1320 in fact.
Advent in Poland: St. Mary's Basilica, In Krakow's Main Square, goes back centuries -- to 1320 in fact.
Omar Marques/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images
<strong>Advent in the United Kingdom:</strong> Choristers from the Salisbury Cathedral Choir decorate a Christmas tree ahead of their final practice. Christmas has been celebrated in the cathedral for over 750 years since it was dedicated in 1258.
Advent in the United Kingdom: Choristers from the Salisbury Cathedral Choir decorate a Christmas tree ahead of their final practice. Christmas has been celebrated in the cathedral for over 750 years since it was dedicated in 1258.
Matt Cardy/Getty Images