Seit einigen Jahren hat sich bei meinen Eltern in Gummersbach die Tradition eingebürgert, am 3. Adventswochenende mit allen Familienmitgliedern Weihnachten zu feiern, die am „echten“ Weihnachten nicht da sein können. Im vergangenen Jahr konnten wir wegen unseres Umzuges nach Schweden nicht kommen. Und in diesem Jahr rechnete auch niemand mit uns. Doch dank Ryanair bekamen wir die billigsten Tickets, die möglich sind, und meine Eltern konnten den Mund nicht mehr schlieβen, als am späten Abend Svea als Lucia, Nils als Tomte und Ole als Sternjunge singend das Wohnzimmer betraten. Am Samstag war dann die Weihnachtsfeier mit Nikolausbesuch, der uns mal wieder gelobt und getadelt hat, das die Fetzen flogen. Traditionsgemäβ gab es Fondue, Zigarre und Feuerzangenbowle. Wir konnten auch einige Stunden mit Karens Eltern verbringen, die ja im gleichen Ort leben, und meine Oma besuchen. Alles in allem ein reich angefülltes Wochenende! 
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In a number of European countries, Germany and Sweden for instance, the season of advent is quite important. You count the last four Sundays prior to Christmas as the first to the fourth Advent. Each Advent is indicated by one to four candles, either on a wreath of fir branches (Germany) or in a row (Sweden). The church year is focusing on the arrival of the Lord, for “advent” comes from Latin and means “arrival”.
Now in my (Marcus’) family it has become a tradition to celebrate Christmas on the 3rd Advent weekend with all those, who aren’t home for Christmas. Last year we did not participate for we had just moved to Sweden and it’s quite a distance to come back home, you have an entire sea to cross. So nobody was expecting us this year. But fortunately there is Ryanair and even more fortunately we got five super cheap tickets. And so my parents opened first their eyes and then their mouth and left both open as Svea, dressed up as a Lucia, Nils as Tomte and Ole as a Star Boy entered singing their house late at night. On Saturday we had our Christmas celebration in the cabin of my parents, together with many dear relatives and friends. Nikolaus was coming, praising and rebuking everybody so we were all laughing our heads off. “As tradition demands” we had fondue, cigars and “Feuerzangenbowle” (see picture). We could also spend some hours with Karens parents, who live in the same village, and visit my grandma. It was a very blessed weekend!
Now in my (Marcus’) family it has become a tradition to celebrate Christmas on the 3rd Advent weekend with all those, who aren’t home for Christmas. Last year we did not participate for we had just moved to Sweden and it’s quite a distance to come back home, you have an entire sea to cross. So nobody was expecting us this year. But fortunately there is Ryanair and even more fortunately we got five super cheap tickets. And so my parents opened first their eyes and then their mouth and left both open as Svea, dressed up as a Lucia, Nils as Tomte and Ole as a Star Boy entered singing their house late at night. On Saturday we had our Christmas celebration in the cabin of my parents, together with many dear relatives and friends. Nikolaus was coming, praising and rebuking everybody so we were all laughing our heads off. “As tradition demands” we had fondue, cigars and “Feuerzangenbowle” (see picture). We could also spend some hours with Karens parents, who live in the same village, and visit my grandma. It was a very blessed weekend!
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