Advent

 

We lit the fourth candle today.  The world here is cold and white, but darkness comes at 3 in the afternoon.  All of that will change in a few days, as we pass the darkest day of the year, and turn towards summer.  In the meantime, we light candles, tons of candles, I’m surprised there aren’t more fires, but us Swedes are apparently careful and safe (go figure, Volvo and what was Saab).

All over Sweden today, in just about every home, church and business, people are lighting the fourth candle on their Advent candle holders.  The first one is lit four Sundays before Christmas, and one is lit each Sunday following until the fourth and final one burns the Sunday preceding Christmas.  This creates a slanted row of burning candles, by the final Sunday.

For a very non-religious and secular country (although officially Lutheran), the Swedes have more religious holidays than I can count, and take advantage of them, socialism has it’s perks.  In addition to all their “red” days,  they are required by law to have a minimum of 5 paid weeks of vacation a year (these can often be stretched out to several months).  And Sweden more or less is closed for business the month of July, really (unheard of in America).  Christmas is also another opportunity for lots of time off.  Most people take 2-4 weeks off around this holiday.   Companies such as Volvo run on minimum staff.    And many businesses just close until next year.  Believe it or not, the world doesn’t end if businesses close for the holidays.  Love it….

(OK, on a side note, I’m not doing so great on the “not eating  of the cookies” I bake , I am thinking this is a hobby I am probably going to have to give up, if I plan on fitting through any doors next year…..I’m either an excellent “konditor” (which I’d like to think), or have no self-control when it comes to Christmas cookies (which is probably more likely)…..ahhh…well there’s always New Year’s resolutions…..I think I’ll have another cookie…)