1st Advent
In Scandinavia we divide Advent into first, second, third and fourth Advent, having the 1st Advent on the fourth day before Christmas Day.
In can be rather dark in Scandinavia in December and therefore Advent comes like a friend. At the arrival of Advent we light the Advent star and decorate our houses. We bake “Lussebullar” (literally Lucy cat), which are saffron buns, and gingerbread biscuits. We invite our friends and family to Advent gatherings with glögg. On the first Advent Sunday we light the first candle, on the second Sunday the first and the second, and so on, which means that on Christmas Day the candles look like a flight of stairs.
Now is also the time to start running around to find the appropriate Christmas gift for everybody so as to try and achieve some peace and quiet for the last days before Christmas. This never happens why we always have some gifts that have to be found maybe as late as Christmas Eve.
Advent is a time for preparations. Day-care centers schools and families spend time preparing for the Christmas holiday. Around the country, a number of Christmas arts and crafts fairs are held to the delight of people who appreciate homemade decorations and gifts.
Ann Lindberg