Sunday was the forth (and final) advent. I wish the we had another week, but ready or not, Christmas is almost here. We had gingerbread (my first time making it), sugar cookies, glögg (my first time making this too, I usually buy it at Ikea but the homemade stuff was delicious), risgrynsgröt, peanut blossoms (with peanut butter cups of course), chokladbollar, and store bought pepperkakor (lame, I know). Everything was delicious and our house smelled of cardamon all day. Mmmm...
The forth advent is my favorite because all the candles are lit and it's so beautiful.
After everyone left Peter and I snuggled up and read our traditional forth Advent book, "That Thy Alms May be in Secret" to end our month of Advent before we blew out the candles. I love my husband.
A few people have asked me what the heck I'm talking about when I say "First Advent, Second Advent, etc." In Sweden, they celebrate the four Sundays of Advent. They have four candles (traditionally 3 purple/blue and 1 red, but I use white) in a special Advent candlestick. On the first Advent (the forth Sunday before Christmas), you light the first candle in the Advent candlestick. The first Advent is officially the beginning of the Christmas season when lights go up and the shopping begins (it's a crazy shopping day, much like black friday in america). Each Sunday until Christmas, you light another candle until all four candles are lit on the forth Advent (the Sunday before Christmas). Oh, and you don't leave them burning, you just light it for the evening and blow it out until the next week.
Advent was one of my two favorite traditions in Sweden (the other being Lucia). Each week of Advent seemed more cozy and magical than the week before. I loved it when the lights would dim and the candles were lit. Everyone was happy and laughing (yes, even the grumpy Swedes) while the candles were burning. It was a time to fika (um...have a snack?), share stories, and enjoy the company of loved ones (I guess the members counted us missionaries as "loved ones"). I loved every second of it.
When I was a missionary, I decided that it was important to me that, should get married someday, I marry a man who would support celebrating Advent in our family. What a blessing it was to marry a German who grew up celebrating Advent in his home. When I heard that, (after I had already confirmed that he loved pie), I knew we were a match made in heaven. Advent is equally as important to Peter as it is to me, and we love that about each other.
In the Sommerkorn house, they turn off all the lights (except the Christmas tree, of course), light the candle(s), snuggle under blankets, sing songs, read Christmas stories, and have a family prayer. Afterwards they eat a special treat, usually prepared by everyone together. Even though neither Peter or I like to sing, we both enjoy singing Christmas songs around the Advent candles. I'm telling you, there is something magical about it.
