{"id":81626,"date":"2018-12-02T06:00:06","date_gmt":"2018-12-02T05:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/?p=81626"},"modified":"2026-09-28T07:08:24","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T05:08:24","slug":"vad-betyder-advent-fakta","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2018\/12\/vad-betyder-advent-fakta\/","title":{"rendered":"What does Advent mean? \u2013 10 facts about Advent and our traditions"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3 id=\"h-skribent-helena-bergstrom\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Writer: Helena Bergstr\u00f6m<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Updated: September 2026<\/em> | Advent is for many people the time when candlesticks and stars appear in the windows, the first candle is lit and Christmas begins to feel close. But what does Advent really mean? Why do we celebrate four Advent Sundays, why do we light candles \u2013 and what does the Advent calendar actually have to do with Advent?<\/p><div class=\"sharethis-buttons\"><div class=\"st-custom-button\" data-network=\"twitter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/platform-cdn.sharethis.com\/img\/twitter.svg\"><span class=\"label\">Tweet<\/span><\/div><div class=\"st-custom-button\" data-network=\"facebook\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/platform-cdn.sharethis.com\/img\/facebook.svg\"><span class=\"label\">Share<\/span><\/div><div class=\"st-custom-button\" data-network=\"linkedin\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/platform-cdn.sharethis.com\/img\/linkedin.svg\"><span class=\"label\">Share<\/span><\/div><div class=\"st-custom-button\" data-network=\"pinterest\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/platform-cdn.sharethis.com\/img\/pinterest.svg\"><span class=\"label\">Pin<\/span><\/div><div class=\"st-custom-button\" data-network=\"reddit\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/platform-cdn.sharethis.com\/img\/reddit.svg\"><span class=\"label\">Share<\/span><\/div><div class=\"st-custom-button\" data-network=\"digg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/platform-cdn.sharethis.com\/img\/digg.svg\"><span class=\"label\">Share<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here we have collected 10 facts about Advent and some of the traditions that have grown up around this special time of year. Some have Christian roots, others have come much later \u2013 and several of our Swedish Advent traditions actually have their origins in Germany.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-light-blue ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6ad80e4102e5c\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseprofile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6ad80e4102e5c\" checked aria-label=\"toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2018\/12\/vad-betyder-advent-fakta\/#1_Advent_betyder_ankomst_%E2%80%93_inte_vantan\" >1. Advent means arrival \u2013 not waiting<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2018\/12\/vad-betyder-advent-fakta\/#2_Forsta_advent_ar_kyrkans_nyarsdag\" >2. First Advent is the church&#039;s New Year&#039;s Day<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2018\/12\/vad-betyder-advent-fakta\/#3_Advent_har_fyra_sondagar_%E2%80%93_men_olika_manga_dagar\" >3. Advent has four Sundays \u2013 but different numbers of days<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2018\/12\/vad-betyder-advent-fakta\/#4_Advent_var_forr_en_tid_for_fasta_och_forberedelser\" >4. Advent used to be a time of fasting and preparation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2018\/12\/vad-betyder-advent-fakta\/#5_De_fyra_adventsljusen_raknar_ner_till_jul\" >5. The four Advent candles count down to Christmas<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2018\/12\/vad-betyder-advent-fakta\/#6_En_foregangare_till_adventsljusstaken_hade_28_ljus\" >6. A predecessor to the Advent candlestick had 28 candles<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2018\/12\/vad-betyder-advent-fakta\/#7_Den_elektriska_adventsljusstaken_ar_en_svensk_uppfinning\" >7. The electric Advent candle holder is a Swedish invention<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2018\/12\/vad-betyder-advent-fakta\/#8_Adventsstjarnan_kom_till_Sverige_fran_Tyskland\" >8. The Advent star came to Sweden from Germany<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2018\/12\/vad-betyder-advent-fakta\/#9_Adventskalendern_har_sina_rotter_i_Tyskland\" >9. The Advent calendar has its roots in Germany<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2018\/12\/vad-betyder-advent-fakta\/#10_Adventskalendern_foljer_egentligen_inte_advent\" >10. The Advent calendar doesn&#039;t actually follow Advent<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2018\/12\/vad-betyder-advent-fakta\/#Vad_betyder_advent_for_oss_i_dag\" >What does Advent mean for us today?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2018\/12\/vad-betyder-advent-fakta\/#Prenumerera_pa_vart_nyhetsbrev\" >Subscribe to our newsletter<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Advent_betyder_ankomst_%E2%80%93_inte_vantan\"><\/span>1. Advent means arrival \u2013 not waiting<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You might think that the word Advent means \u201dwaiting.\u201d That would be quite logical, since the entire Advent season is about waiting for Christmas. But it\u2019s not quite that simple.<\/p><div class=\"freed-grupp-i-blogginlagg freed-entity-placement\" id=\"freed-1934750943\"><div class=\"freed-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><div id=\"freed-slider-88752\" class=\"custom-slider freed-slider-3483841109 freed-slider\"><ul><li><div id=\"freed-1702986464\" class=\"method-missing not-front type-post not-theme-page\"><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/se.adria-mobil.com\/\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"adria-freedom-top-banner-588x158px\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-toppbanner-588x158px.gif\" alt=\"\"  width=\"588\" height=\"158\"   \/><\/a><\/div><\/li><li><div id=\"freed-2064736350\" class=\"method-missing not-front type-post not-theme-page\"><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ullbadden.se\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"ullbadden_588x158_feb_2026\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ullbadden_588x158_feb_2026-1.jpg\" alt=\"\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ullbadden_588x158_feb_2026-1.jpg 588w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ullbadden_588x158_feb_2026-1-300x81.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ullbadden_588x158_feb_2026-1-224x60.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ullbadden_588x158_feb_2026-1-18x5.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ullbadden_588x158_feb_2026-1-433x116.jpg 433w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 588px) 100vw, 588px\" width=\"588\" height=\"158\"   \/><\/a><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><script>( window.advanced_ads_ready || jQuery( document ).ready ).call( null, function() {var $freedslider3483841109 = jQuery( \".freed-slider-3483841109\" );$freedslider3483841109.on( \"unslider.ready\", function() { jQuery( \"div.custom-slider ul li\" ).css( \"display\", \"block\" ); });$freedslider3483841109.unslider({ delay:4000, autoplay:true, nav:false, arrows:false, infinite:true });$freedslider3483841109.on(\"mouseover\", function() {$freedslider3483841109.unslider(\"stop\");}).on(\"mouseout\", function() {$freedslider3483841109.unslider(\"start\");});});<\/script><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The word comes from the Latin <em>advent<\/em>, which means <strong>arrival<\/strong>. In the Christian church year, Advent is about waiting for Christ and his coming. The expression <em>Advent of the Lord<\/em> means roughly \u201dthe coming of the Lord.\u201d So we wait during Advent \u2013 but the word itself means arrival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/batch_IMG_E8411-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-219519\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/batch_IMG_E8411-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/batch_IMG_E8411-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/batch_IMG_E8411-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/batch_IMG_E8411-224x126.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/batch_IMG_E8411-18x10.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/batch_IMG_E8411-433x244.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/batch_IMG_E8411-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/batch_IMG_E8411.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Advent stars in the windows aboard Finnlines&#039; ship Finnsirius.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Forsta_advent_ar_kyrkans_nyarsdag\"><\/span>2. First Advent is the church&#039;s New Year&#039;s Day<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For most of us, the new year begins on January 1, but the church has a different calendar. The Christian church year begins on the first Sunday of Advent.<\/p><div class=\"freed-grupp-i-blogginlagg-2 freed-entity-placement\" id=\"freed-2429492786\"><div class=\"freed-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><div id=\"freed-slider-88753\" class=\"custom-slider freed-slider-1492426019 freed-slider\"><ul><li><div id=\"freed-2815985117\" class=\"method-missing not-front type-post not-theme-page\"><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.elmia.se\/husvagn\/for-besokare\/biljetter\/?utm_source=freedomtravel&#038;utm_medium=banner&#038;utm_campaign=elmiahusvagn_kop_biljett_mars-sep\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"ElmiaHusvagnHusbil_2026_FREEDOMtravel_vi_ses_2027_588x158\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/ElmiaHusvagnHusbil_2026_FREEDOMtravel_vi_ses_2027_588x158.jpg\" alt=\"\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/ElmiaHusvagnHusbil_2026_FREEDOMtravel_vi_ses_2027_588x158.jpg 588w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/ElmiaHusvagnHusbil_2026_FREEDOMtravel_vi_ses_2027_588x158-300x81.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/ElmiaHusvagnHusbil_2026_FREEDOMtravel_vi_ses_2027_588x158-224x60.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/ElmiaHusvagnHusbil_2026_FREEDOMtravel_vi_ses_2027_588x158-18x5.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/ElmiaHusvagnHusbil_2026_FREEDOMtravel_vi_ses_2027_588x158-433x116.jpg 433w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 588px) 100vw, 588px\" width=\"588\" height=\"158\"   \/><\/a><\/div><\/li><li><div id=\"freed-3692235578\" class=\"method-missing not-front type-post not-theme-page\"><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/husbilslandet.com\/i-lager?amount=-1&#038;vehicle_type=camper&#038;price=219000%2C8874149&#038;y=2005%2C2027&#038;weight=1000%2C18000&#038;rea=true\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Demo sale (588 x 158 px)\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Demoutforsaljning-588-x-158-px-.jpg\" alt=\"\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Demoutforsaljning-588-x-158-px-.jpg 588w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Demoutforsaljning-588-x-158-px--300x81.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Demoutforsaljning-588-x-158-px--224x60.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Demoutforsaljning-588-x-158-px--18x5.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Demoutforsaljning-588-x-158-px--433x116.jpg 433w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 588px) 100vw, 588px\" width=\"588\" height=\"158\"   \/><\/a><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><script>( window.advanced_ads_ready || jQuery( document ).ready ).call( null, function() {var $freedslider1492426019 = jQuery( \".freed-slider-1492426019\" );$freedslider1492426019.on( \"unslider.ready\", function() { jQuery( \"div.custom-slider ul li\" ).css( \"display\", \"block\" ); });$freedslider1492426019.unslider({ delay:4000, autoplay:true, nav:false, arrows:false, infinite:true });$freedslider1492426019.on(\"mouseover\", function() {$freedslider1492426019.unslider(\"stop\");}).on(\"mouseout\", function() {$freedslider1492426019.unslider(\"start\");});});<\/script><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The first day of Advent is therefore something of a New Year&#039;s Day for the church. This is followed by the various feasts and periods of the church year, from Christmas and Epiphany to Easter, Pentecost and the rest of the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Swedish churches, the first day of Advent is also a big day. The Psalm <em>Prepared way for the Lord<\/em> is one of the classic elements and the first day of Advent is usually one of the most well-attended church Sundays of the year.<\/p><div class=\"freed-grupp-stora-banner freed-entity-placement\" id=\"freed-1011326029\"><div class=\"freed-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><div id=\"freed-3813476328\" class=\"method-missing not-front type-post not-theme-page\"><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/firstcamp.se\/bra-att-veta\/incheckning-efter-stangning?utm_source=display&#038;utm_medium=Freedom-Travel&#038;utm_campaign=Freedom-Travel-sommar-2026\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Dropin_freedom_travel_588x280_SE_final\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dropin_freedom_travel_588x280_SE_final.jpg\" alt=\"\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dropin_freedom_travel_588x280_SE_final.jpg 588w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dropin_freedom_travel_588x280_SE_final-300x143.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dropin_freedom_travel_588x280_SE_final-224x107.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dropin_freedom_travel_588x280_SE_final-18x9.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dropin_freedom_travel_588x280_SE_final-433x206.jpg 433w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 588px) 100vw, 588px\" width=\"588\" height=\"280\"   \/><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Kyrka-33-2-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-156060\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Kyrka-33-2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Kyrka-33-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Kyrka-33-2-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Kyrka-33-2-433x244.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Kyrka-33-2-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Kyrka-33-2.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Advent_har_fyra_sondagar_%E2%80%93_men_olika_manga_dagar\"><\/span>3. Advent has four Sundays \u2013 but different numbers of days<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Advent encompasses the four Sundays before Christmas, but that does not mean that Advent is always exactly four weeks long. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The first Advent can fall sometime between <strong>November 27 and December 3<\/strong>, depending on which day of the week Christmas Day falls on. Therefore, the length of Advent can vary from year to year.<\/p><div class=\"freed-grupp-stora-banners-i-blogginlagg-2 freed-entity-placement\" id=\"freed-3716063139\"><div class=\"freed-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><div id=\"freed-205392270\" class=\"method-missing not-front type-post not-theme-page\"><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/wifi.se\/produkt\/hybrid-traveller-portabel-5g-router-med-backup-batteri-i-over-6-timmar-usb\/\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"freedom\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/freedom.gif\" alt=\"\"  width=\"588\" height=\"288\"   \/><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sometimes the fourth Advent also occurs on Christmas Eve itself. In other words, both Advent and Christmas are on the same day. The four Sundays of Advent, however, are always fixed \u2013 and that is of course why we have four candles in the traditional Advent candlestick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/jul-i-parken-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-194243\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/jul-i-parken-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/jul-i-parken-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/jul-i-parken-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/jul-i-parken-18x10.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/jul-i-parken-433x244.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/jul-i-parken-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/jul-i-parken.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Advent decorations in the Croatian city of Split.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Advent_var_forr_en_tid_for_fasta_och_forberedelser\"><\/span>4. Advent used to be a time of fasting and preparation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Today we may associate Advent with mulled wine, gingerbread, Christmas tables, Christmas markets and Christmas gift shopping. Historically, the atmosphere has been different.<\/p><div class=\"freed-placering-11 freed-entity-placement\" style=\"text-align: center;\" id=\"freed-1992240567\"><div class=\"freed-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><div id=\"freed-slider-88783\" class=\"custom-slider freed-slider-3218064049 freed-slider\"><ul><li><div id=\"freed-1721398170\" class=\"method-missing not-front type-post not-theme-page\"><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/husvagnsbranschen.se\/medlemmar\/\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"HRF new xl 2026-9\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/HRF-nya-xl-2026-9.jpg\" alt=\"\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/HRF-nya-xl-2026-9.jpg 588w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/HRF-nya-xl-2026-9-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/HRF-nya-xl-2026-9-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/HRF-nya-xl-2026-9-224x224.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/HRF-nya-xl-2026-9-12x12.jpg 12w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/HRF-nya-xl-2026-9-325x325.jpg 325w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/HRF-nya-xl-2026-9-520x520.jpg 520w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/HRF-nya-xl-2026-9-320x320.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/HRF-nya-xl-2026-9-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/HRF-nya-xl-2026-9-120x120.jpg 120w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 588px) 100vw, 588px\" width=\"588\" height=\"588\"   \/><\/a><\/div><\/li><li><div id=\"freed-2488544856\" class=\"method-missing not-front type-post not-theme-page\"><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/protect.checkpoint.com\/v2\/r02\/___https:\/www.kabe.se\/se\/nyheter\/kabe-roadshow-2026\/___.YzJlOmthYmU6YzpvOmVkZTIyYjJkNTMxZTZkZjM1YWVhOTViM2NkZTIxMzBlOjc6NDMyYTozYTBkNmIzNGEyZDExNmUyY2ZhYWU3MGNkNzExYmE4ZDUzNjRmYzI5NjgwOTNhNTk5MmZlZDQ2ZTVlNTA3NmVkOmg6VDpO\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"oaddtrip Kabe\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/oaddtrip-Kabe.jpg\" alt=\"\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/oaddtrip-Kabe.jpg 588w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/oaddtrip-Kabe-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/oaddtrip-Kabe-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/oaddtrip-Kabe-224x224.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/oaddtrip-Kabe-12x12.jpg 12w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/oaddtrip-Kabe-325x325.jpg 325w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/oaddtrip-Kabe-520x520.jpg 520w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/oaddtrip-Kabe-320x320.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/oaddtrip-Kabe-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/oaddtrip-Kabe-120x120.jpg 120w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 588px) 100vw, 588px\" width=\"588\" height=\"588\"   \/><\/a><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><script>( window.advanced_ads_ready || jQuery( document ).ready ).call( null, function() {var $freedslider3218064049 = jQuery( \".freed-slider-3218064049\" );$freedslider3218064049.on( \"unslider.ready\", function() { jQuery( \"div.custom-slider ul li\" ).css( \"display\", \"block\" ); });$freedslider3218064049.unslider({ delay:4000, autoplay:true, nav:false, arrows:false, infinite:true });$freedslider3218064049.on(\"mouseover\", function() {$freedslider3218064049.unslider(\"stop\");}).on(\"mouseout\", function() {$freedslider3218064049.unslider(\"start\");});});<\/script><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Within Christianity, Advent developed into a period of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus. In different places and at different times, the period has also been associated with fasting, much like the time before Easter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Traditions have varied both between different churches and throughout history, so it is not possible to say that Advent has always involved a specific fasting period of a certain number of days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The contrast to today&#039;s Advent celebrations is still quite large. From restraint and preparation to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2019\/12\/adventsmingel-hos-dominika-med-gloet-sparkling-glogg\/\">mulled wine party<\/a>, Christmas table and a generous cake plate \u2026<\/p><div class=\"freed-stor-banner-plats-14 freed-entity-placement\" id=\"freed-586858796\"><div id=\"freed-slider-88782\" class=\"custom-slider freed-slider-107992887 freed-slider\"><ul><li><div id=\"freed-2874842751\" class=\"method-missing not-front type-post not-theme-page\"><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/husbilslandet.com\/i-lager?amount=-1&#038;vehicle_type=camper&#038;price=219000%2C8874149&#038;y=2005%2C2027&#038;weight=1000%2C18000&#038;rea=true\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Demo sale 588x588px\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Demoutforsaljning-588x588px.jpg\" alt=\"\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Demoutforsaljning-588x588px.jpg 588w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Demoutforsaljning-588x588px-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Demoutforsaljning-588x588px-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Demoutforsaljning-588x588px-224x224.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Demoutforsaljning-588x588px-12x12.jpg 12w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Demoutforsaljning-588x588px-325x325.jpg 325w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Demoutforsaljning-588x588px-520x520.jpg 520w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Demoutforsaljning-588x588px-320x320.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Demoutforsaljning-588x588px-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Demoutforsaljning-588x588px-120x120.jpg 120w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 588px) 100vw, 588px\" width=\"588\" height=\"588\"   \/><\/a><\/div><\/li><li><div id=\"freed-250882577\" class=\"method-missing not-front type-post not-theme-page\"><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/se.adria-mobil.com\/husvagnar\/alpina\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"adria-freedom-XL-588x588px\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-XL-588x588px.jpg\" alt=\"\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-XL-588x588px.jpg 588w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-XL-588x588px-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-XL-588x588px-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-XL-588x588px-224x224.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-XL-588x588px-12x12.jpg 12w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-XL-588x588px-325x325.jpg 325w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-XL-588x588px-520x520.jpg 520w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-XL-588x588px-320x320.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-XL-588x588px-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-XL-588x588px-120x120.jpg 120w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 588px) 100vw, 588px\" width=\"588\" height=\"588\"   \/><\/a><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><script>( window.advanced_ads_ready || jQuery( document ).ready ).call( null, function() {var $freedslider107992887 = jQuery( \".freed-slider-107992887\" );$freedslider107992887.on( \"unslider.ready\", function() { jQuery( \"div.custom-slider ul li\" ).css( \"display\", \"block\" ); });$freedslider107992887.unslider({ delay:5000, autoplay:true, nav:false, arrows:false, infinite:true });$freedslider107992887.on(\"mouseover\", function() {$freedslider107992887.unslider(\"stop\");}).on(\"mouseout\", function() {$freedslider107992887.unslider(\"start\");});});<\/script><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"648\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gl\u00f6ggmingel-19-1024x648.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-103131\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gl\u00f6ggmingel-19-1024x648.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gl\u00f6ggmingel-19-600x380.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gl\u00f6ggmingel-19-300x190.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gl\u00f6ggmingel-19-768x486.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gl\u00f6ggmingel-19-433x274.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gl\u00f6ggmingel-19.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Modern Advent mingle with sweets. A stark contrast to how it used to be...<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_De_fyra_adventsljusen_raknar_ner_till_jul\"><\/span>5. The four Advent candles count down to Christmas<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of our most well-known Advent traditions is, of course, lighting candles. On the first Advent we light one candle, on the second Advent two, and so on until all four candles are lit on the fourth Advent. The candlestick thus becomes a simple countdown to Christmas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Advent candlestick with four candles, however, should not be confused with the electric Advent candlestick that stands in many Swedish windows. The two traditions have partly different histories \u2013 and the electric version is considerably younger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/pexels-felix-mittermeier-957056-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-315860\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/pexels-felix-mittermeier-957056-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/pexels-felix-mittermeier-957056-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/pexels-felix-mittermeier-957056-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/pexels-felix-mittermeier-957056-224x126.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/pexels-felix-mittermeier-957056-18x10.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/pexels-felix-mittermeier-957056-433x244.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/pexels-felix-mittermeier-957056-590x332.jpg 590w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/pexels-felix-mittermeier-957056-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/pexels-felix-mittermeier-957056-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/pexels-felix-mittermeier-957056.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Advent candlestick. Photo: Felix Mittermeier \/ Pexels.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_En_foregangare_till_adventsljusstaken_hade_28_ljus\"><\/span>6. A predecessor to the Advent candlestick had 28 candles<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The story behind our Advent candles includes a rather spectacular variation. At the First Deaconess Institute in Stockholm, they began using a so-called Advent tree in the 1870s, inspired by a German model. The tree contained a whopping 28 candles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the first Advent, seven candles were lit, on the second Advent another seven, and so on. By the time the fourth Advent arrived, all 28 candles could be burning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Advent tree is usually mentioned as a predecessor to the Swedish Advent candlestick with four candles \u2013 one for each Advent Sunday. Much easier to keep track of. And probably a little less flammable too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/anne-nygard-iGZZuN17ti4-unsplash-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-315950\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/anne-nygard-iGZZuN17ti4-unsplash-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/anne-nygard-iGZZuN17ti4-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/anne-nygard-iGZZuN17ti4-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/anne-nygard-iGZZuN17ti4-unsplash-224x149.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/anne-nygard-iGZZuN17ti4-unsplash-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/anne-nygard-iGZZuN17ti4-unsplash-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/anne-nygard-iGZZuN17ti4-unsplash-433x289.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/anne-nygard-iGZZuN17ti4-unsplash-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/anne-nygard-iGZZuN17ti4-unsplash-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/anne-nygard-iGZZuN17ti4-unsplash.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Advent candlestick with four candles. Photo: Anne Nyg\u00e5rd \/ Unsplash.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"7_Den_elektriska_adventsljusstaken_ar_en_svensk_uppfinning\"><\/span>7. The electric Advent candle holder is a Swedish invention<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The electric Advent candle holder with several candles in a row feels almost self-evident in Swedish windows during December. But the tradition is not very old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The first electric Advent candle holder is usually attributed to <strong>Oscar Anderson<\/strong>, who worked at Philips in Gothenburg. In 1934 he built a candlestick with electric lamps, and a few years later the model began to be manufactured and sold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At first, interest was rather lukewarm, but eventually the candlestick became a Swedish Advent classic. Today, it is so common that it is difficult to imagine Swedish December windows without it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is therefore good to distinguish between two things: the Advent candlestick with four candles, where a new candle is lit every Sunday, and the electric Advent candlestick, which is primarily used as Christmas lighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"884\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/phil-jolley-hp5ruug7E6g-unsplash-1024x884.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-315952\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/phil-jolley-hp5ruug7E6g-unsplash-1024x884.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/phil-jolley-hp5ruug7E6g-unsplash-300x259.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/phil-jolley-hp5ruug7E6g-unsplash-768x663.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/phil-jolley-hp5ruug7E6g-unsplash-224x193.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/phil-jolley-hp5ruug7E6g-unsplash-1536x1326.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/phil-jolley-hp5ruug7E6g-unsplash-14x12.jpg 14w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/phil-jolley-hp5ruug7E6g-unsplash-377x325.jpg 377w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/phil-jolley-hp5ruug7E6g-unsplash-1200x1036.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/phil-jolley-hp5ruug7E6g-unsplash-600x518.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/phil-jolley-hp5ruug7E6g-unsplash.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Electric advent candlestick. Photo: Phil Jolley\/Unsplash.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"8_Adventsstjarnan_kom_till_Sverige_fran_Tyskland\"><\/span>8. The Advent star came to Sweden from Germany<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another obvious sight in Swedish December windows is the Advent star. The tradition has its origins in Germany and is associated with, among other things, the so-called <strong>The Herrnhut Star<\/strong>, which began to be manufactured within the Herrnhut tradition in the 19th century. During the 20th century, Advent stars also spread to Sweden, not least in the form of illuminated paper stars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The star has clear Christian symbolism. It is reminiscent of the Star of Bethlehem, which, according to the Gospel of Matthew, showed the wise men the way to Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And I, Helena, actually have personal experience with the wise men. When I lived in Iceland in 1992, I participated in a Christmas play \u2013 dressed as one of them. Someone has to follow the star\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Island-5-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Island\" class=\"wp-image-52509\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Island-5-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Island-5-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Island-5-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Island-5-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Island-5.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Me (Helena) as the \"wise man\" in a Christmas play in Iceland in 1992 ...<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"9_Adventskalendern_har_sina_rotter_i_Tyskland\"><\/span>9. The Advent calendar has its roots in Germany<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The advent calendar also has German roots. During the 19th century, there were various ways to help children count the days until Christmas. For example, you could make chalk lines, hang pictures, or use other simple forms of countdown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One person who usually has an important place in the history of the Advent calendar is the German <strong>Gerhard Lang<\/strong>. According to the often-retold story, his mother made a calendar-like countdown for him when he was a child. As an adult, Lang worked in printing and, in the early 20th century, was involved in developing and selling printed Christmas calendars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Sweden, the first printed Advent calendar was published in 1932 by the Swedish Girl Scouts Association. The artist Aina Stenberg-MasOlle was responsible for the motif.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Later, radio and television calendars also came. Swedish Radio began broadcasting a calendar in 1957 and in 1960 the first television calendar was broadcast, <em>Title page<\/em>. Eventually it began to be called <strong>the advent calendar<\/strong>, the name used today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nowadays, of course, there are calendars with everything from chocolate and toys to tea, coffee, cosmetics and other surprises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/pexels-nati-87264186-19312033-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-315955\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/pexels-nati-87264186-19312033-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/pexels-nati-87264186-19312033-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/pexels-nati-87264186-19312033-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/pexels-nati-87264186-19312033-224x149.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/pexels-nati-87264186-19312033-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/pexels-nati-87264186-19312033-433x289.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/pexels-nati-87264186-19312033-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/pexels-nati-87264186-19312033-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/pexels-nati-87264186-19312033.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Advent calendar with gifts. Photo: Nati \/ Pexels.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"10_Adventskalendern_foljer_egentligen_inte_advent\"><\/span>10. The Advent calendar doesn&#039;t actually follow Advent<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here comes a little paradox. We call it <strong>advent calendar<\/strong>, but it doesn&#039;t actually follow Advent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The church Advent season begins on the first day of Advent, which can fall between November 27 and December 3. The Advent calendar, on the other hand, always begins on December 1 and normally has 24 slots \u2013 one for each day until Christmas Eve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some years Advent begins before the Advent calendar and other years the calendar begins before the first day of Advent has arrived.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our modern Advent calendar is therefore more of a countdown from December 1st to Christmas Eve than a calendar of the Advent season itself. But \u201dDecember calendar\u201d may not sound quite as cozy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/garten-gg-sleds-5742219_1280-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-315939\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/garten-gg-sleds-5742219_1280-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/garten-gg-sleds-5742219_1280-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/garten-gg-sleds-5742219_1280-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/garten-gg-sleds-5742219_1280-224x149.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/garten-gg-sleds-5742219_1280-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/garten-gg-sleds-5742219_1280-433x289.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/garten-gg-sleds-5742219_1280-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/garten-gg-sleds-5742219_1280-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/garten-gg-sleds-5742219_1280.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Advent calendar. Image source: garten-gg \/ Pixabay<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Vad_betyder_advent_for_oss_i_dag\"><\/span>What does Advent mean for us today?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Advent has changed a lot throughout history. From a church period of preparation and, in some places, fasting, it has become for many a time when we brighten the darkest weeks of the year and begin to prepare for Christmas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We light candles, hang stars, go to Christmas markets, drink mulled wine and open calendars. For those of faith, Advent still has its Christian meaning, while others primarily see the period as a cozy prelude to Christmas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yet there is a common idea in much of what we do. The lights, the star, and the calendar are all in different ways about counting down, preparing, and waiting for something to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And perhaps that is precisely why Advent has become such a strong tradition \u2013 even in a modern and fairly secularized Sweden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"580\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC_0030-1024x580.jpg\" alt=\"Advent med Julmarknad i Gamla stan\" class=\"wp-image-58556\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC_0030-1024x580.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC_0030-300x170.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC_0030-768x435.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC_0030-600x340.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC_0030-18x10.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC_0030-433x245.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC_0030.jpg 1198w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Christmas market in the Old Town in Stockholm.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>READ MORE:<\/strong> <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2017\/12\/jultraditioner\/\">Christmas traditions - why do we do what we do?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"freed-57985934\" class=\"hide-label freed-after-content_2 freed-entity-placement method-missing not-front type-post not-theme-page\"><div class=\"freed-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><form method=\"post\" id=\"ft_newsletter_subscribe\" action=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2018\/12\/vad-betyder-advent-fakta\/\" class=\"ft-newsletter\" data-ajax-url=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php\" data-trp-original-action=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2018\/12\/vad-betyder-advent-fakta\/\">\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"stage\" value=\"subscribe\" \/>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Prenumerera_pa_vart_nyhetsbrev\"><\/span>Subscribe to our newsletter<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"form-field\" data-missing=\"This field is required.\" data-invalid=\"Please enter a valid email address.\">\n<label for=\"ft_newsletter_email\">Email address<\/label>\n<input id=\"ft_newsletter_email\" name=\"ft_newsletter_email\" type=\"email\" value=\"\" placeholder=\"Enter your email address\" aria-required=\"true\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<input class=\"signup button newsletter-meta-button\" type=\"submit\"  name=\"subscribe\" value=\"Subscribe\">\n<div style=\"position: absolute; left: -4200px;\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"ft-newsletter-protect\"><input type=\"text\" name=\"98d0b92c63fae1c39c28d2024aa82be8e0ab74fe\" tabindex=\"-1\" value=\"\"><\/div>\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"trp-form-language\" value=\"en\"\/><\/form><\/div><div id=\"freed-2117618942\" class=\"hide-label freed-after-content_3 freed-entity-placement method-missing not-front type-post not-theme-page\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 35px;\"><div class=\"freed-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" aria-label=\"FREEDOMtravel Exit\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/FREEDOMtravel.png\" alt=\"FREEDOMtravel Avslut\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/FREEDOMtravel.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/FREEDOMtravel-300x100.png 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/FREEDOMtravel-1024x341.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/FREEDOMtravel-768x256.png 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/FREEDOMtravel-224x75.png 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/FREEDOMtravel-600x200.png 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/FREEDOMtravel-18x6.png 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/FREEDOMtravel-433x144.png 433w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" width=\"1200\" height=\"400\"   \/><\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Skribent: Helena Bergstr\u00f6m Uppdaterad: september 2026 | Advent \u00e4r f\u00f6r m\u00e5nga tiden d\u00e5 ljusstakar och stj\u00e4rnor kommer upp i f\u00f6nstren, f\u00f6rsta ljuset t\u00e4nds och julen b\u00f6rjar k\u00e4nnas n\u00e4ra. Men vad betyder egentligen advent? Varf\u00f6r firar vi fyra adventss\u00f6ndagar, varf\u00f6r t\u00e4nder vi ljus \u2013 och vad har adventskalendern egentligen med advent att g\u00f6ra? Tweet Share Share [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":315860,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[6],"tags":[103,399],"class_list":["post-81626","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-vardag-och-fest","tag-hogtid","tag-jul","has-featured-image"],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/pexels-felix-mittermeier-957056.jpg",1280,720,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/pexels-felix-mittermeier-957056-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/pexels-felix-mittermeier-957056-300x169.jpg",300,169,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/pexels-felix-mittermeier-957056-768x432.jpg",700,394,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/pexels-felix-mittermeier-957056-1024x576.jpg",700,394,true],"influencer":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/pexels-felix-mittermeier-957056-224x126.jpg",224,126,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/pexels-felix-mittermeier-957056.jpg",1280,720,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/pexels-felix-mittermeier-957056.jpg",1280,720,false],"trp-custom-language-flag":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/pexels-felix-mittermeier-957056-18x10.jpg",18,10,true],"startpage_08":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/pexels-felix-mittermeier-957056-433x244.jpg",433,244,true],"popular_product":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/pexels-felix-mittermeier-957056-520x520.jpg",520,520,true],"startpage_camping_08":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/pexels-felix-mittermeier-957056-433x700.jpg",433,700,true],"campervan_food":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/pexels-felix-mittermeier-957056-590x332.jpg",590,332,true],"post-thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/pexels-felix-mittermeier-957056-1200x675.jpg",1200,675,true],"woocommerce_thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/pexels-felix-mittermeier-957056-320x320.jpg",320,320,true],"woocommerce_single":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/pexels-felix-mittermeier-957056-600x338.jpg",600,338,true],"woocommerce_gallery_thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/pexels-felix-mittermeier-957056-100x100.jpg",100,100,true],"yarpp-thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/pexels-felix-mittermeier-957056-120x120.jpg",120,120,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Helena","author_link":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/author\/admin\/"},"uagb_comment_info":24,"uagb_excerpt":"Skribent: Helena Bergstr\u00f6m Uppdaterad: september 2026 | Advent \u00e4r f\u00f6r m\u00e5nga tiden d\u00e5 ljusstakar och stj\u00e4rnor kommer upp i f\u00f6nstren, f\u00f6rsta ljuset t\u00e4nds och julen b\u00f6rjar k\u00e4nnas n\u00e4ra. Men vad betyder egentligen advent? Varf\u00f6r firar vi fyra adventss\u00f6ndagar, varf\u00f6r t\u00e4nder vi ljus \u2013 och vad har adventskalendern egentligen med advent att g\u00f6ra? Tweet Share Share&hellip;","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/pexels-felix-mittermeier-957056.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81626","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=81626"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81626\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":315959,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81626\/revisions\/315959"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/315860"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=81626"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=81626"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=81626"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}