First Sunday of Advent

Scandinavian_advent
The advent candle, to be found in most Scandinavian homes during the advent time, is four candles placed in the ‘adventsstake’, a tray or candleholder.

Traditionally purple candles are used but as the ‘all white Scandi Christmas’ white is popular this is often seen too. One candle is lit every week starting on the first Sunday of Advent up until the fourth and last Sunday before Christmas Eve.

Families usually gather together each Sunday afternoon in Advent to lid the candle(s) and some say a poem together with their children. Our tradition is to say an advent poem by the Norwegian poet Inger Hagerup.

ADVENT
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

Så tenner vi to lys i kveld, to lys for håp og glede
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
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, hvor menneskene bor

Each of the four Sundays has a different aspect: joy, hope, longing and peace.

We wish you all a peaceful first Sunday in Advent.

Photo: Cornelias Hus

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