Photos of the Day: Bethlehem's Live Advent Calendar

Most are familiar with the concept of the traditional Christmas advent calendar—usually a prettily printed card with doors that are opened at the rate of one per day through the month of December until Christmas eve. More elaborate versions incorporate sweets that are claimed as the doors are opened.

For the fourth year in a row, the Christmas City, has embodied this literally, in the form of a live version of the advent calendar.

Sponsored by local merchants through the Downtown Business Association and the Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, every day since the beginning of December, at 5 p.m., no matter what the weather, a host has knocked on the door of the1810 Goundie House on Bethlehem's Main Street. When the door is opened, those in attendance are gifted with treats.

“Every day in December at 5 p.m. we knock on this door, and someone comes out of it,” said Karan Merkel, owner of Girlfriends and Menz on Main. “This is the only live advent calendar in the U.S.”

Assisted by four-year-old Seraphina Papagni of Bethlehem, chosen as "the littlest person present", Merkel then rapped the stout wood door, bringing the event one day closer to the eagerly awaited 25^th.

Thursday evening, the Central Moravian Brass Ensemble played, the story of Father Christmas was told, and merchants handed out sweets with coupons for the gathered crowd.

Tonight, Friday at 5 p.m.,on the eve of Christmas eve, the daily surprises will come to an end until next year, although the Christmas market and Main Street merchants will be open on Saturday until 4 p.m.

The entire month's worth of advent calendar events, as well as those of previous years, can be viewed on the DBA's youTube channel.