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Flames of Advent Posted by on Nov 30, 2014 in Holidays, Traditions

Så tenner vi et lys i kveld

vi tenner det for glede. 

Det står og skinner for seg selv

og oss som er tilstede.

Så tenner vi et lys i kveld,

vi tenner det for glede. 

Then we light one candle this evening

we light it for joy.

It stands shining by itself

and for us who are present.

Then we light one candle this evening,

we light it for joy.

Photo courtesy of Susanne Nilsson at Flickr (Creative Commons).

Photo courtesy of Susanne Nilsson at Flickr (Creative Commons).

Today it’s første søndag i advent (first Sunday of Advent). The above poem (by Inger Hagerup) is read by many norske familier (Norwegian families) as they tenner det første lyset på adventskransen (light the first candle on the Advent Wreath). Okay, I may be romanticizing Norge a bit now, but at least the tv lady reads this poem aloud, as she smiles and strikes a fyrstikk (match) in the studio! 🙂

Det er veldig mørkt nå (it’s very dark now), so barn og voksne (children and adults) in Norway are all looking forward to jula [YOOlah] (’the’ Christmas – you can also say julen). The adventskrans is a way to spread a little lys i mørket (light in the darkness). It’s also a countdown calendar to Christmas: The wreath (which isn’t always a circle!) has four stearinlys (stearin candles); each of the four last søndager (Sundays) before jul (Christmas), a new candle is lit (for a while). On the last Sunday, all four of them are shining!

 

Here’s the rest of the poem for those other Sundays:

 

Så tenner vi to lys i kveld, 

to lys for håp og glede. (Two candles for hope and joy.)

De står og skinner for seg selv 

og oss som er tilstede. 

Så tenner vi to lys i kveld, 

to lys for håp og glede. 

 

Så tenner vi tre lys i kveld 

for lengsel, håp og glede. (For yearning, hope and joy.)

De står og skinner for seg selv 

og oss som er tilstede. 

Så tenner vi tre lys i kveld, 

for lengsel, håp og glede. 

 

Vi tenner fire lys i kveld og lar dem brenne ned for lengsel, glede, håp og fred, 

men mest allikevel 

for fred på denne lille jord 

der menneskene bor. 

We light four lights this eveningand let them burn downfor yearning, joy, hope and peace,

but most, still, (we do it)

for peace on this small earth

where the humans live.

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About the Author: Bjørn A. Bojesen

I was born in Denmark, but spent large parts of my childhood and study years in Norway. I later returned to Denmark, where I finished my MA in Scandinavian Studies. Having relatives in Sweden as well, I feel very Scandinavian! I enjoy reading and travelling, and sharing stories with you! You’re always welcome to share your thoughts with me and the other readers.