Three hours and ten minutes ago it was the first Advent
Sunday.
When I was younger, that day was something of a big
happening. Sure, I didn´t get any presents and I couldn´t
stay up for as long as I wanted. There weren´t even any
special shows on tv.
Actually, the only thing we did was lighting a candle and
having dinner together, the whole family.
But nonetheless, it was a big happening. In those days,
the first Advent Sunday was a sure sign. It meant
Christmas was on it´s way.
The countdown had started. Three more candles to go.

Today, we´re still not doing anything besides lighting
a candle and having dinner. The only difference is that
I´m never awake when my parents light the candle and
the family dinner is my breakfast.
Otherwise, it´s the same. It still is a big happening...
And it still means Christmas is on it´s way.

But although first Advent Sunday hasn´t changed over the
years, Christmas has.
It has for sure.
Gradually of course, but all I know is that Christmas used
to be a lot more fun.
Or maybe fun isn´t the word for it. More like exciting.
I´m sure you know what I mean...lying in bed the night
before, unable to sleep, with that tense feeling all over your
body.
Damn, I wish it was morning...
Oh Happy Day...the tv-shows, everyone being at home
and being happy, the presents... lying in the middle of
them for a full hour...shaking and examining.
Yep...those were the days.
Christmas was like the spring; lively, bouncy and filled to
the brim with joy.

Today it´s more like autumn. More subdued, more
abstract...not as intense.
I didn´t like autumn as a child.
But I do now.
It just took me a bit more time to see the beauty in it. In
comparison to spring, a bit more serious. A bit deeper.
But not sad.
Christmas isn´t as bouncy as before. And the presents
aren´t as exciting.
But getting up early in the morning...smelling the Christmas
tree, looking out the window, thinking of all the people who
soon will wake up, happy, and filled with that
Christmas-spirit... Giving. And caring.

"I´m telling you world
Can you open up your eyes
Why can´t you be
Like you´re at Christmas time?"

- Valentine, "Megaman"


It gives it all a meaning beyond the presents and tv-shows.
By the way, that has changed as well. My favourite
Christmas tv-show isn´t Donald Duck anymore.
It´s "Karl-Bertil Jonssons Julafton".

Yesterday was not only first Advent Sunday. It was also
the birthday of a Swedish king, Karl XII.
A king very fond of warfare and weapons, for some
reason paid homage to by most so-called
Sweden-democrats.
I think it has to do with Karl XII wanting to fight for
Sweden, keeping it for the Swedes.
Anyway, every year that particular day, racis...oh I´m
sorry, Sweden-democrats, gather all over the country, in
order to honour the memory of King Karl.
Unfortunately, this has led to lots of demonstrations by
anti-racists. Now and then, the two groups bump into
each other, and start threatening and brawling.
I must admit, I have some difficulty understanding the
whole thing.

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