Advent

This Sunday being the first Sunday of Advent Denmark and Danes are very into keeping the tradition of the wreath with the four candles symbolizing the light in these dark winter times alive.

Or if you want to go back to the real story behind it all, then the lightning of candles symbolizes the month up until the birth of Christ. Back home we do not put too much importance into the colors and story of the candles, but there really is a real way of doing it. We normally have four candles in whatever color we prefer, and we light one every Sunday leading up to Christmas, - or we light them all at once and on the fourth Sunday we burn them all the way down. But the 'real' way to do it is to have five candles; one gold symbolizing the prophets, one white symbolizing the angles, one green symbolizing the shepherds and one blue symbolizing magi, - and then a center candle, which is to be red and symbolizing the Savior. This candle is to be lit on Christmas Day.

But not too many people are aware of the background of the Advent Candles. It is merely a tradition of family coming together to have a nice time....

In Denmark we use to get together in the evening when it is cold and dark outside. It makes for a much better felling when you can sit inside the house with a warm and cozy blanket, a cup of hot glogg or cocoa and some fresh baked klejner, brunkager and pebernodder looking out at the storm and snow, enjoying not being out there at that time.

We light up the candle or candles, play games, decorate the house with Christmas ornaments, enjoy eachother's company and watch the daily episode of the Christmas show being shown on TV every day in December up until December 24.

It's also become a tradition that you give your sweetheart or your kids a little present on Advent Sundays. A little something to add to the excitement of the grand finale on Christmas Eve. I has even gotten to the point that the kids get a daily little present all through December, nicely hung on a string or put in the sock or something. Christmas surely is a wonderful time for the kids and young adults....

The first Sunday of Advent is also the day when the big Christmas tree is being lit at the Copenhagen Town Square. People are there to see all the many light being lit and it is even shown on TV.

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