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Episode 97: ¡Feliz Navidad! My Brief Return and a Merry Christmas Song Sampler!

Hello, hello, hello!!! It has been AGES since last we talked (completely my fault, I own it 100%). I have a quick - but important! - announcement regarding the podcast/blog, and then let's kick off - I mean, end (oops!) - the 2025 Christmas season with my traditional Christmas Song Sampler! (See Episode 96, Episode 82, Episode 64, Episode 42, and Episode 24). So grab a cup of hot chocolate and join me in listening to some awesome canciones navideñas! :D

Announcement Time!

First, un mil disculpas, a thousand apologies for how long this has taken! I can't believe it's been 2 years since my last episode! And that's after I said more would be forthcoming. I am so sorry - I completely failed. It's pretty obvious that I can't keep up with my work, my kids, homesteading, homeschooling, and my podcast. But I also don't want to end four episodes away from 100! It feels incomplete. Not to mention I HATE IT when podcasters just disappear from the podcasting world with no word as to why (I know, I know, that's the pot calling the kettle black! Hence why I am determined to right my mistake).


So yes, as I'm sure you've all figured out by now, I am going to end Spanish Answers. I love this podcast; I love delving into Spanish language and culture and sharing what I find with all of you wonderful listeners and readers! But as a friend of mine wisely told me, everything has its season. And right now is not a good season for podcasting. Does this mean I'll never restart Spanish Answers or Respuestas Inglesas? No. In fact, I hope I can come back to podcasting! But for now, I can't give it the time and energy it deserves without taking too much time away from higher priorities in my life (like raising my two littles and homeschooling my kindergartener!)


But I want to end well. I've failed at that, up until now. My goal is to finish with 4 episodes (including this one) and end the series with 100 podcast episodes!


So if you're reading this/listening to the podcast episode, even though I've been radio static for so long, thank you and may God bless you! And I hope you enjoy these last 4 episodes as we wrap up this adventure. <3

10 Spanish Christmas Songs

So let's get started! I've got 10 Spanish Christmas songs, starting with 3 "Modern" pop (depending on how you define that term! :D) songs, followed by 4 songs that are Christ-centered, and then 3 classic Spanish carols! Was this supposed to come out before Christmas? Yup. But here we are! On the other hand, in many Spanish-speaking countries, the season isn't over until los reyes magos (3 Kings) visit, so I say, let's enjoy it anyway! :D


"Modern" Pop Christmas Songs

Published to YouTube within the past decade, these songs have a lot of "pop" to them and range from basic pop to island vibes.


 1. "Todo Es Posible En Navidad" por David Bisbal

What better way to start off this Song Sampler than with this swinging, upbeat, Christmas-spirit blasting song by David Bisbal? Do I understand the music video? Not one bit. Does it matter? Absolutely not. David Bisbal is singing about everything being possible at Christmas; that's all I need! :D


2. "Hacia Belén Va Una Burra Rin Rin" por Ozuna & Generación Escogida, and Featuring Christian Nieves

Or maybe you're tired of the snow and the cold (to those living in the Northern Hemisphere at this time of year), and want to be taken to a warmer Christmas vibe? Check out this song, a collaboration of different Puerto Rican singers and musicians, with its beautiful island views, traditional folk dancing, and wonderful island rhythms.


3. "Navidad" por Grupo Pandora

This is a sweet song by the lovely Pandora. It's basically just a simple, upbeat song. It's enjoyable to watch; like watching your grandmother sing to you about the best of Christmas: family, pesebres, Santa Claus, lights, etc.


Christ-Centered Songs

These next songs are soft, slow, and very sweet. They also focus on the entire reason for the Christmas season: the birth of Jesus Christ!


4. "Nació la Luz" por Thalia y Marcos Witt

Let's start with Nació la Luz, which is a slow but powerful, uplifting song about Christ being the light that was born into this world all those centuries ago. I am a sucker for a good duet, and I love listening to how Thalia and Marcos' voices complement each other in this song. The music also swells, causing your heart to lift up and rejoice while listening.


5. "Luces De Colores" por Jesús Adrián Romero, Melissa Romero

Then there's Luces de Colores! It's a slower, more thoughtful song that focuses on Christ, who He is, and His birth. (I didn't realize how old this song was, but it was uploaded to YouTube back in 2013! Wow! I can't believe that's more than a decade ago; I feel so old now! :D)


6. "Hosanna (Nació El Salvador)" por El Lugar de Su Presencia and Su Presencia Worship

This song is a little less ancient (2017), but it's definitely more upbeat. Throughout the whole music video is a young lady dancing in joy, as the song itself is a rejoicing melody about Christ's birth and salvation.


7. "Alabanzas Al Rey" por Marcela Gandara

This song is a call to praise the King of Kings as we consider his humble birth in a manger. I have never heard Marcela Gandara prior to finding this music video, and her voice is hauntingly beautiful. I could listen to this song (and indeed I have! lol!) over and over again! I had to look her up; she is a Christian Mexican singer who has won a few awards, including the "Premios Arpa, Premios Dove y Premios Grammy Latinos" (according to BuenaMusica). I have definitely added her to my spotify. ^_~


Classic Christmas Songs

These last three songs are true Spanish classics!


8. "Fum Fum Fum" por Los Villancicos, Los Acústicos, y Alex Abati

This is another haunting song (I apparently really like that word, "haunting". But still, if the shoe fits...). Alex Abati, a young and independent singer, plays the vocals and I absolutely love her voice! This song is a traditional Catalonian carol (you can find the English translation/lyrics here). If you'd like to hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sing an English - and less modern-sounding - version of this song, you can check it out here.


9. "Dime Niño" por Los Villancicos

This is a fun and upbeat traditional Christmas carol from Spain! (Full name: Dime, Niño, de Quién Eres). It's a little debatable, at least according to El Debate, which specific region of Spain it originally comes from (Andalusia, Murcia, or maybe Castilian-Manchego?). I'm always trying to find authentic Spanish carols, rather than just Spanish translations of English, German, French, etc. carols. If you have any suggestions, please send them my way! Anyway, this song is like a back and forth between the singer and the baby Jesus and a joyful song to celebrate His birth.


10. "Brincan Y Bailan" por Los Hermanos Galindo

This is a fun classic Christmas song from Burgos province, Spain (or possibly Cantabria? Check out this article for a more detailed analysis of the song). It sounds like it might be a different version of the song "Peces en el Río" (see Episode 64), which explains why there's so much talk about the fish in the river (I knew it sounded familiar!).


And actually, while researching this podcast episode, I came across a music video they have for their song, "La Española". It is CHOCK FULL of cultural references, with visuals of traditional dresses and various places within Spain as well as historical and cultural references in the lyrics themselves. It was too good not to share with you all, even if it is not a Christmas song! :D


Bonus Songs!

So, I realized while researching songs for this episode that I have done repeat songs in the past. So I figured, why not "make up" for this mistake with some bonus Christmas songs? :D


A. "Velitas" por Thalia

This is a bit of a bittersweet song. It's more like a shoutout to everyone missing a loved one this Christmas, expressing the deep desire for your loved one to be with you on Christmas, but wishing them all the best when they can't.


B. "Medley Navidad" por Samuel Hernández

I must really enjoy Puerto Rican singers, because there are quite a few in this episode! Either that, or they're just really hot right now on the music scene! :D This is a fun musical medley of Christmas songs, that definitely has that island vibe!


C. "Alborada aquí en Belén" por Colegio Alborada & Los Hermanos Galindo

This is such a sweet and uplifting music video! You hear the sweet voices of the children from Alborada school collaborating with Los Hermanos Galindo, and the whole song is about the joy and expectation of Christmas and the peace and brightness Christ's birth brings us. I think this is an excellent song to end this episode with!


And that wraps up our Merry Christmas Song Sampler for 2025! I will hopefully be able to get the next three episodes out over the next three weeks (wish me luck! Maybe at least a few episodes by the end of January? #Goals!). Until then, have a great week, I hope you had a Merry Christmas, and that you have a wonderful New Year!


Remember, learning a language is a lifelong journey.

¡Aprovéchalo, Disfrútalo y Compártelo!

Estrella de Esperanza

Vamos a continuar a celebrar la Navidad con la cuenta del origen, el nacimiento de Jesús.


Lucas 2:8-20

"8 Había pastores en aquella región que velaban y guardaban las vigilias de la noche sobre su rebaño. 9 Y un ángel del Señor se presentó ante ellos y la gloria del Señor los rodeó de resplandor; y temieron con gran temor. 10 Pero el ángel les dijo:

—No teman, porque he aquí les doy buenas noticias de gran gozo que serán para todo el pueblo: 11 que hoy, en la ciudad de David, les ha nacido un Salvador, que es Cristo el Señor. 12 Y esto les servirá de señal: Hallarán al niño envuelto en pañales y acostado en un pesebre.

13 De repente, apareció con el ángel una multitud de las huestes celestiales que alababan a Dios y decían:

14 —¡Gloria a Dios en las alturas,

y en la tierra paz

entre los hombres de buena voluntad[a]!

15 Aconteció que cuando los ángeles se fueron de ellos al cielo los pastores se decían unos a otros:

—Pasemos ahora mismo hasta Belén y veamos esto que ha sucedido, y que el Señor nos ha dado a conocer.

16 Fueron de prisa y hallaron a María y a José, y al niño acostado en el pesebre. 17 Al verle, dieron a conocer lo que les había sido dicho acerca de este niño. 18 Todos los que oyeron se maravillaron de lo que los pastores les dijeron; 19 pero María guardaba todas estas cosas meditándolas en su corazón. 20 Los pastores se volvieron glorificando y alabando a Dios por todo lo que habían oído y visto, tal como les había sido dicho."


(I couldn't help it; a bit of my Castilian accent came out while reading ^_^.)

SHOW NOTES:


Intro and Closing Music by Master_Service from Fiverr

Cultural Tip Transition Music edited from song by JuliusH from Pixabay


Resource Links

Episode Content


Cultural Tip

  • None


Estrella de Esperanza

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