By Ola Richards

Norway starts the Christmas season in November with a series of Christmas parties at work, clubs, schools and every other organization. Every year, at the end of November many cities have a lighting of the City Lights ceremony, complete with parade and an honorary person pulling the big switch to light up the city streets.

Advent means “coming” and is a preparation time for Christians to celebrate Christmas. The Advent season starts on Advent Sunday, which marks four Sundays before Christmas.

Early December is a time for baking Christmas cookies (seven different kinds, at minim...