Second Sunday of Advent: Slow pace for love and peace!

Do you know what's wonderful about Advent? It's a time when you finally I can afford to slow down! And enjoy 😉

The first Sunday of Advent is like this... quick. Preparing the wreath, discovering that the matches are missing, finding the first candle (which is, of course, in a completely different place than I put it last year) – just the start. But the second, THIS ONE? That one is, like, in a different league!

This year, in 2025, our second Advent beauty falls on December 7th. And I found out one divine thing – it’s called Bronze Sunday! It sounds so…warm, doesn’t it? I can totally feel that soft glow, not just the sharp shimmer of gold.

And that candle? Today we light the second purple one (or simply the one that suits your style), which is called the Bethlehem candle. Well, really, the Bethlehem candle! And what is it supposed to symbolize? Love and peace. And also the manger of Jesus. Suddenly it's not just about the calendar and the hustle and bustle, but about the most important thing – about what we have inside and around us.

You know, I always thought: Peace? Love? Okay, sure. But in the end, I understood that this Sunday carries a message of peace above all. It's a kind of silent appeal - look, slow down, think about how to bring more peace into your life (and the lives of those closest to you). And while lighting that second candle (which, by the way, lights up counterclockwise – that’s a detail I really enjoy!), I realize that kindness is the greatest power.

1. A moment for yourself and two candles: I light the first one from last Sunday and a new one, the second one – the Bethlehem one. I have it purple. I put on some quiet Christmas music and just look at the flames. Two little fiery dots, and already the feeling of peace is spreading in my soul. It's a time to reflect on relationships, family, and friends.
2. Festive lunch, but with ease: Our tradition says that we should invite someone to a festive lunch. But, girls, let's not forget about Christmas moderation. I don't give those heavy, hearty lunches. I prefer light dishes and instead of wine I make a good, strong herbal tea. And try to talk to your guests about Christmas traditions – it's an endless and beautiful topic, and really soothing!
3. Vanilla and Linz scent: Nobody puts off baking anymore, right? I'm getting into it right now! It's the perfect time for shortcrust pastry, like Linz or vanilla rolls. The aroma wafting from the kitchen… that's the real Christmas touch. Previously, twelve types of bread were baked – one for each month. I'm not giving it away, that would be hell, but 3 or max five? That sounds like a nice goal.
4. Charity and good deeds: I love the old custom of this Sunday being associated with charity activities. It's so easy to carry that over to today - contributing to a fundraiser, buying a gift for a child. After all, Advent is above all about giving! In one company we bought gifts for an orphanage – the children wrote a letter to Santa Claus and people in the company got together or formed groups to choose a child and together they bought gifts. Every child got something and it was beautiful!
5. Gifts? Already! Traditionally, the second Sunday of Advent is the best time to choose Christmas gifts. I'm supposed to focus on my loved ones. I simply believe that we should give gifts out of love and from the heart. Money in an envelope? Honestly, that's just not it. A gift should express us and, most importantly, it should please the person receiving it. I enjoy the ones that are handmade and made by children the most - there's just a piece of soul in them!

And so I tell myself that this day – Bronze Sunday – is actually a kind caress. Peace in the soul and love for everyone around me. And believe me, when this calm and cozy feeling settles in, the week that comes is all the more beautiful!

What about you? How will you plan your Bronze Sunday? Will you go to the Christmas market, or will you lock yourself in the kitchen with the dough?

I had to remember what I read in those wise books by Mrs. Kamila Skopová – she knows what the real, old tradition is!

For the second Sunday of Advent, cookies are traditionally baked from shortcrust pastry that needs to rest to be perfect the next day – such as Linz or vanilla rolls. The flavors have to come together nicely, that's just magic!

I have an old and simple recipe for vanilla rolls for you, just like your grandmother's - made with love and without unnecessary modern frills.

Wow, this dough is so delicious and the smell… it’s a complete dream! I know you can do it with ease.

📝 What you will need (Material)

• 280 g plain flour (really please sift it, let it be light as snow!)
• 200g butter (let it be cold, that's the key!)
• 100 g ground walnuts (no almonds, you don't! Those nuts will give the right sizzle)
• 80 g powdered sugar
• 1 egg yolk (it is no longer available today, but that one old The recipe just wants it!)

🥣 How to do it (Procedure)

1. Kneading with love: Mix the flour, sugar and nuts on a rolling pin. In the middle, put the cold butter, cut into pieces, and the yolk. Now you have to be quick – work it quickly into a smooth dough. Really! The shorter you knead it, the more fragile it will be. I'm in a trance about not heating it too much.
2. Rest is key: Wrap the dough in foil and refrigerate it. And not just for a moment! Ideally, leave it in the fridge. overnight. Hang in there, it'll be worth it!
3. Creating shapes (and relax!): The next day, break off pieces of dough and roll them into thin "snakes" and shape them into little rolls. They don't all have to be the same - that's the beauty of handmade!
4. Baking with thought: Preheat the oven to 160–170 °C. Bake the rolls only briefly, about 8–10 minutes, until they start to turn pink (they must not be brown!).
5. Finale in a vanilla cloud: While still hot, roll the rolls (really carefully, they are as fragile as a feather!) in powdered sugar mixed with real vanilla sugar (or vanilla from the pod, that's just luxury!).

See? Having peace, aroma and warmth in the kitchen is the true Advent ritual. (So, AC/DC is disturbing me this Advent because the carols exhausted me while I was shopping!) And the rolls can then be spread out beautifully, like those (up to twelve) types of cookies that used to be baked in honor of all the months of the year!

And the housewife feels like she is with her loved ones in her thoughts. I want that too!

When Winter Comes – About a Book That Teaches You to Rest