4th Advent Sunday

Swedes are not particularly Christian - Sweden is probably the most secularized country in the world. But most Swedes like to indulge in old traditions, Christian or not.

One of our favourite games this time of the year is to use our special "Advent candle holder" - you may light the first candle on the first Advent Sunday, the second on the second Advent Sunday and so on... They should preferrably be stuffed with reindeer lichens, as this one. Note the silly little fly agarics (the mushrooms)...

Horses are also popular in our Christmas traditions, particularly in connection to the stories about Staffan (Stefanos), the saint of the horses.

Tomorrow is the BIG DAY in Sweden, as opposed to most Christian countries we celebrate Christmas most intensively on Christmas Eve, not on Christmas Day.

So - all of you, Christian or not: Happy Holidays, Happy Christmas or whichever you prefer!