The Advent candles - Inger Hagerup

Then we light a candle tonight,

we light it for joy.

It stands shining by itself

and for us who are present..

Then we light a candle tonight,

we light it for joy.

Then we light two candles tonight,

two candles for hope and joy.

They stand and shine for themselves

and for us who are present..

Then we light two candles tonight,

two candles for hope and joy.

Then we light three candles tonight

for longing, hope and joy.

They stand and shine for themselves

and for us who are present..

Then we light three candles tonight

for longing, hope and joy.

We light four lights this evening

and let them burn down

for yearning, joy, hope and peace,

but most, still, (we do it)

for peace on this small earth

where the humans live.

---

Inger Hagerup (1905–1985) Norway

Translated by Bjørn A. Bojesen

Source: Norwegian Language Blog