Still more official sets

In commenting on my previous post on official LEGO sets with religious content, Brendan correctly pointed out that there have been officials sets based around holidays with religious significance. Christmas is, of course, celebrated by Christians as the commemoration of Christ's birth. Easter is centered on the resurrection of Christ. Thanksgiving involves prayers of praise and thanks. Even Halloween has roots in Catholic tradition (also blending in other traditions). Even though these holidays, and the symbols surrounding them, tie back to religious roots, aspects of their celebration have become more cultural and secular. Most of the sets offered by LEGO really tie to these secular symbols without regard to their background. Perhaps the one that moves beyond the Santa/Reindeer/Bunny/Turkey/Pumpkin line is this angel, first released in 1989 and then rereleased in 2003. Also worth a quick mention, advent calendars have become popular annual sets. Advent is the time leading up to Christmas, taken by many Christians as a time of preparation for the celebration of Christ's birth (as Lent is a preparatory period leading to Easter). About a hundred years ago advent calendars began to be marketed, where a new picture or small gift was revealed each day of December leading up to the big day. The LEGO sets have small LEGO offerings each day, often in a given theme. Last year the news was all about a castle themed calendar, and the rumor is that we will have a pirate calendar this year.