• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

True North Kitchen

  • Recipes
  • Browse by Category
  • About Me
  • Contact/Work with Me
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Browse by Category
  • About Me
  • Contact/Work with Me
×
Home » Recipes » Winter

Celebrating Advent

Published: Dec 1, 2019 · Modified: Dec 11, 2021 by Kristi · This post may contain affiliate links.

Æbleskivers, jam and mulled wine on a marble surface.

In the Christian church, Advent is a time to prepare for Christmas. It is celebrated on the four Sundays prior to Christmas and is often marked by lighting a candle, one for each of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas Day.

Despite the fact that the population of the Scandinavian countries has become more and more secular over time, Advent in Scandinavia remains an important season of celebration. It is a time to bring light and warmth to the darkest days of the year. This might mean lighting candles, or a fire in the fireplace, baking something delicious in a warm, cozy kitchen or drinking glögg in the company of friends and family.

Mulled wine in a glass mug next to an orange and pine branches.

It is ironic that as everything becomes dark, quiet and still in nature at this time of year, we run around like crazy people caught up in the busy-ness of the holiday season. The celebration of Advent creates a little space each week to breathe, to take the focus off of all of the preparations for the Big Day and simply enjoy the here and now. How might you bring light to this darkest time of the year? Maybe you begin a tradition of hosting an annual glögg party. It doesn't need to be anything fancy.....bake a batch of gingersnaps to pair with some homemade glögg and invite a few friends over. Keep it low-key and casual and simply enjoy one another's company.

A close up of a stack of Swedish ginger snaps and a cup of coffee
Swedish Ginger Snaps (Pepparkakor)

Or maybe each Sunday in Advent becomes an opportunity to slow down and take some much-needed time just for you. Take a nap or a long, hot bath. Go for a winter's walk, bundled up and cozy. Make a big pot of homemade soup. Or simply be like the trees outside, hushed and still, in a comfy chair in your living room (candles, a good book and a steaming cup of glögg might be nice here, too). Take some time to craft a Sunday Advent ritual that nurtures and restores your weary December soul.

I invite you to make the Advent season yours, to set the Christmas shopping, card writing and present wrapping aside for awhile each Sunday and simply enjoy the coziness of this time of year.

More Nordic/Scandinavian Winter Recipes

  • Overhead view of Spiced Pear Cake with Cardamom next to pears and cardamom pods.
    Spiced Pear Cake with Cardamom
  • Close up of Danish Pancakes (æbleskiver) next to raspberry jam.
    Æbleskiver (Danish Pancakes)
  • Close up of Tomte Muffin cut in half.
    Tomte Muffins (Swedish Apple Muffins)
  • Featured image for Kale and Butternut Squash Salad.
    Kale and Butternut Squash Salad

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Welcome

Hi, I'm Kristi! Welcome to my cozy Nordic kitchen! More about me

SEARCH RECIPES:

The cover for Scandinavian Baking Favorites e-book

Enter your email below and receive a copy of my free ebook, Scandinavian Baking Favorites!



Breads and Buns

Two Swedish cinnamon buns on a plate next to a mug of coffee, fork and napkin

Easy Swedish Cinnamon Buns (Kanelbullar)

Sliced Norwegian Brown Bread on a wooden cutting board.

Norwegian Brown Bread with Oats and Rye

Custard filled buns on a plate with a fork and napkin

Norwegian Vanilla Custard Buns (Skoleboller or Skolebrød)

Flatbreads stacked on a towel next to a rolling pin

Soft Whole Wheat Rye Flatbreads with Scallions

Soft Dill Bread on a cutting board next to a towel and a sprig of dill.

Soft Dill Bread (made with Cottage Cheese)

Soft Swedish Flatbreads on a plate next to a towel and a spiky rolling pin.

Soft Swedish Flatbreads (Tunnbröd)

Top Posts

Close up of a spoon in a serving of Swedish Cream topped with lingonberries.

Swedish Cream

Waffle topped with Whipped Cream and Roasted Strawberries next to a fork.

Norwegian Waffles (Hjertevafler)

Close up of a stack of gluten-free seed crackers (Norwegian Crispbread)

Gluten-Free Seed Crackers (Norwegian Crispbread)

Sliced rye bread on a marble surface.

Easy Overnight Danish Rye Bread (Rugbrød)

Slice of bundt cake on a plate with a fork.

Swedish Cardamom Cake (Kardemummakaka)

Sliced Swedish Almond Cake on a marble plate

Simple Swedish Almond Cake

Categories

Footer

^ back to top

About
Work with Me
Contact
Disclosure and Privacy Policy
Accessibility Statement

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2023 True North Kitchen