Cinnamon, ginger, anis, clove….
All of these are the spices used for cakes and cookies for Christmas. Such aroma was floating in the air from the Central station building, Christmas markets and hot wine stands along the streets.
The period from the fourth Sunday before Christmas is called Advent in the German-speaking Swiss region, and everybody starts to prepare for the Christmas. People get excited and happy. It is just like the joyful but restless moments before the New Year in Japan.
We look for presents for each member of your family and relatives, which requires certain days to give each a different wrapping. Illuminations will be lit and big Santa will be on the wall in the house where children are around, and the wreath on the front door is another element to consider. I have changed my potpourri to the one of Christmas flavor. When I had my face close to the branch of the fir tree that was just chopped down, I could smell the cold and tranquil forest. This should be also arranged around the potpourri.
There were 4 candles for Advent. This year, one candle was lit on the last Sunday of November, and on every Sunday since then, the 2nd and the 3rd candles were lit. Today makes the 4th one to be lit.
While the classical decoration means ribbons or ornaments over the evergreen wreath, that varies depending on the family. Whatever color or design that you like. Since the first-lit candle becomes the shortest, some people design so that the candles will be of different height. Although we enjoyed covering the whole floor with tree branches and used blue candles last year, this year gave us a different mood.
We thought Sarabande might be suitable to listen, so we selected D major. In accompany with the slow melody of cello, we idly gazed at the shadows of the candles.
Outside is -10 degrees. Over the snow that fell last night, frost flowers are sparkling radiantly.
Christmas is just around the corner.
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