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Advent Time in Sweden
The word Advent is derived from the Latin word "adventus" and is pointing to the fact that our Lord is coming to us. The time of Advent is the beginning of the ecclesiastical year and a preparing time while we are awaiting Christmas and the arrival of the Lord Jesus Christ.
In our Swedish churches we sing the special hymns of Advent, they are very loved.The churches are filled to the limits of their capacity at the devine service on the Advent Sunday.
In our homes we light the first candle in the advent candle holder.
The tradition is to light one candle on the Advent Sunday, two candles on the next, three candles on the third and four candles on the forth Sunday of Advent. And at that time it is Christmas very soon!
Many people have a lighted star and an electrical candleholder in their window. We love eveything which will make this dark time of the year uplighted.
The seven candles symbolize perfection - Our Lord had the creation of the world complete at the seventh day - and the triangle is for Trinity.
During Advent time the commercial preparing for Christmas is reaching high points. Christmas display in the shops, Christmas Swedish smorgasbord at the restaurants, markets and parties for charity reasons, Lucia parties, childrens parties, the problems with finding the best Christmas presents for everyone, and lots of other things. 
The housewifes are troubled with the preparing of the food which we need to celebrate Christmas in the way we always have done... Food is a very dominating part of Christmas celebration in Sweden.
Some recipes you can find here
At my point of view everything is more hectic nowadays and we miss parts of the mental preparing for the great festival and run the risk of forgetting why we celebrate Christmas.
At December 13 we celebrate Lucia. In our northern country we lighten our hearts with the celebration of an old tradition. In the early hours before sunrise, St. Lucia makes her special appearance. Symbolically, she is the "Queen of Light," but in reality, she bears a striking resemblance to one of the daughters of the family! She makes her rounds through the home, dressed in a long white robe and wearing a crown of lighted candles. She is singing a traditional song, and is presenting a tray of cookies, buns, and coffee to family members just rousing from their sleep.
But "Lucia" nowadays is not just a celebration for families alone. It is going on from early morning into night, and from the festive atmosphere in the home to a festival in the community. Every Swedish village and town has its own specially chosen Lucia and her attendants to preside at the many parades that light up the streets.
And then in December we have lots to do with sending our Christmas Greetings. They nowadays are often electronical.
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Bereden väg för Herran in English