|
Norwegian Christmas Traditions
Christmas is filled with traditions, rituals and customs based in part on a number of old superstitions that continue today. Old and young, friends and family draw close together through several weeks of festivities. People become more reflective and caring. In ancient times, Christmas was a mid-winter sacrificial feast - a festival of lights marking the transition from the dark winter to spring and summer. Christmas was a time for celebrating the harvest, fertility, birth and death. In the 900s King Haakon I decided that the heathen custom of drinking Jul (Yule) was to be moved to December 25th, in honor of the birth of Jesus Christ. Gradually, the pagan feast was Christianized. The name Jul was retained, but the holiday was dedicated to Jesus Christ, the babe in the manger. |
|
Christmas is thus a mixture of ancient heathen and Christian traditions. Today, Christmas is the most popular celebration of the year in the Christian church, and for families and friends.
In the past, barn doors were marked with a cross to keep evil spirits away. The cross was also used as a decoration on bread, as a pattern in the butter or on the ceiling over the Christmas table. Menus varied from district to district, but everywhere the table was laden with the best and finest food the household could offer. All the people living on the farm - servants, family and guests - ate Christmas dinner together. Often the food stayed out till the next day in case spirits and little people should visit the farm during the night. The nisse could not be forgotten, otherwise ill fortune could befall the farm.
Advent is described as the preparation for Christ's Nativity and marks the beginning of the church year. It comprises the four Sundays before Christmas Day on December 25th. Church leaders decided early on that it was to be a time of fasting to ensure spiritual preparation. In the old Agrarian society children were fed little fat during Advent so they would appreciate the rich Christmas fare.
Advent is a time for preparations. Day-care centers, schools and families spend time preparing for the Christmas holiday. Around the country, a number of Christmas arts and crafts fairs are held to the delight of people who would rather buy homemade decorations and gifts.
Concerts are held in churches and concert halls and Christmas carols are sung up and down the country. Christmas literally begins to creep under one's skin, lifting spirits and creating a cheerful, joyful atmosphere. Every Sunday during Advent candles are lit, and every day a door is opened on the children's Christmas calendar.
Click Here for a page outlining Christmas time traditions in Norway.
In the past, barn doors were marked with a cross to keep evil spirits away. The cross was also used as a decoration on bread, as a pattern in the butter or on the ceiling over the Christmas table. Menus varied from district to district, but everywhere the table was laden with the best and finest food the household could offer. All the people living on the farm - servants, family and guests - ate Christmas dinner together. Often the food stayed out till the next day in case spirits and little people should visit the farm during the night. The nisse could not be forgotten, otherwise ill fortune could befall the farm.
Advent is described as the preparation for Christ's Nativity and marks the beginning of the church year. It comprises the four Sundays before Christmas Day on December 25th. Church leaders decided early on that it was to be a time of fasting to ensure spiritual preparation. In the old Agrarian society children were fed little fat during Advent so they would appreciate the rich Christmas fare.
Advent is a time for preparations. Day-care centers, schools and families spend time preparing for the Christmas holiday. Around the country, a number of Christmas arts and crafts fairs are held to the delight of people who would rather buy homemade decorations and gifts.
Concerts are held in churches and concert halls and Christmas carols are sung up and down the country. Christmas literally begins to creep under one's skin, lifting spirits and creating a cheerful, joyful atmosphere. Every Sunday during Advent candles are lit, and every day a door is opened on the children's Christmas calendar.
Click Here for a page outlining Christmas time traditions in Norway.