I recorded some Finnish Christmas songs a couple of days ago. As you will hear, Christmas in Finland can be quite a melancholy affair! We enjoy the minor mode... Please click on the blue links to listen via Soundcloud.

The track Varpunen jouluaamuna (Sparrow on Christmas Morning) is dedicated to my niece, Helmi, who died very suddenly in September 2014, at the age of 1 year and 9 months. 

Snow has covered the flowers, the lake has frozen. A girl spots a little starving sparrow and offers some seeds to it. The sparrow flies to her joyfully and says he will gratefully accept the seeds. He reveals he is not an ordinary bird - he is her brother from heaven.

If you have anything left in your Christmas budget, please consider making a donation to the Lullaby Trust, providing specialist support for bereaved families and anyone affected by a sudden infant death.

Wishing you a peaceful Christmas, 

Aino