A Musical Christmas Card - Radiant Christmas (Swedish Yule Song with English Translation)

My dear friend. Christmas is an important celebration here in Sweden. The sacred warmth and togetherness it brings is vital, almost a necessity, as we are closed down in darkness for many months of the year.

And 2024 has been a big year for me. I lost my sister. She used to start her preparations for Christmas already in July. She will not be here this year. Still, many others dear to me and to her will be ❤️ I’m sure it has a been a big year for you as well, in your own ways.

Decorations on the Christmas table. To the left, a cup my grandmother had when she was a child. To the right, a little gnome my mother had when she was a child.

Although Christmas is often merry, I find its most touching quality lies in the quiet warmth it can bring that.. holds us when we feel alone.. and when the light feels far away.

The spirit of kindness and togetherness. When we need it the most.

This year I’m offering something from our Swedish Christmas tradition. The song is a traditional Christmas song called “Jul, Jul, Strålande Jul” (“Christmas, Christmas, Radiant Christmas”). It is incredibly beautiful. And now I recorded it so that you will get a chance to appreciate it as well. I also took the time to write a translation into English.

I hope it will land well with you, and that it may offer a ray of light, wherever you are.

Thank you for being here with me.
May your Christmas be merry,
Alexander

Last year’s Christmas Card

I have been writing here for more than a year, which means that there is a card from last year as well! It has a more lighthearted tone and contains a recording of a beloved American Christmas classic. I am so proud of that recording, and it always makes me smile. Check it out:

Lyrics English Translation

Christmas, Christmas, radiant Christmas,
Gleam over white forests.
The crowns of heaven aglow with light,
Shimmering arches in all of God's houses.
Hymns that are sung through of all our times,
Ceaseless the longing for brightness and peace!
Christmas, Christmas, radiant Christmas,
Gleam over white forests.

Come, come, blessed Christmas!
Lower your white wings.
Over the battles' blood and noise,
Over the sorrowful sighs of human hearts.
Over the kin who have gone to their rest (over the families that passed away),
Over the young ones' budding nests.
Come, come, blessed Christmas!
Lower your white wings.

Original Swedish Text:

Jul, jul, strålande jul,
Glans över vita skogar.
Himmelens kronor med gnistrande ljus,
Glimmande bågar i alla Guds hus.
Psalmer som sjungas från tid till tid,
Eviga längtan till ljus och frid!
Jul, jul, strålande jul,
Glans över vita skogar.

Kom, kom, signade jul!
Sänk dina vita vingar.
Över stridernas blod och larm,
Över all suckan ur människobarm.
Över de släkten som gå till ro,
Över de ungas dagande bo.
Kom, kom, signade jul!
Sänk dina vita vingar.

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👋