Christmas in Norway
When Christianity came to Norway, its inhabitants abandoned some old beliefs and practices and adapted others to the new religion. Over the centuries remnants of ancient pagan beliefs concerning midwinter magic entwined themselves with Norway’s developing Christmas lore and customs.
YULE
Some researchers believe that the ancient Norwegians, along with the other peoples of northern and central Europe, celebrated a midwinter festival called Yule. Moreover, these writers propose that a number of midwinter customs connected with this festival lingered on for centuries after the coming of Christianity. For example, old European beliefs concerning visiting Christmas ghosts and other supernatural figures may have been rooted in ancient ideas about the return of the dead at Yule. The midwinter rides of the Wild Hunt may also have grown out of the lore surrounding Yule. Some writers trace the origin of the Yule log back to the great bonfires lit for the Yule festival. The brewing of Christmas ale may also date back to ancient times. Lastly, some writers suspect that the Scandinavian Christmas mascot, the Yule goat, first kicked up its heels during the old Yule festival.
THE JULENISSE
The traditions and lore surrounding the Julenisse, or Christmas elf, can also be traced back to ancient times. Unlike many old Norwegian Christmas traditions, however, the Julenisse lives on in contemporary folklore and customs. Some folklorists suspect that the Julenisse evolved from ancient beliefs in ancestral spirits who visited their old homesteads at Christmas time. Contemporary lore teaches that the Julenisse lives in dark corners of Norwegian homes. For most of the year this magical being dozes and dreams, although when awake he keeps a watchful eye on household doings. The Julenisse becomes more active around Christmas time. Then he will use his magical powers to cause household mishaps if not appeased with a bowl of porridge. Like his Swedish cousin, the Jultomten, the Norwegian Julenisse brings the family’s Christmas gifts.
PREPARATIONS
Many Norwegians incorporate Advent calendars and Advent candles into their Christmas preparations. Selecting the family Christmas tree is also an important element of Christmas preparations for many families, as is giving the home a thorough cleaning. Families often bake a wide variety of cookies and breads during the days preceding Christmas, and some even brew special Christmas beers (see also Christmas cake). In past times people believed that all Christmas cleaning, baking, slaughtering, and brewing should be completed by St.Thomas’s Day, December 21. In the old days people also prepared for Christmas by making batches of candles. Although modern Norwegians no longer need to rely on candles for light during the long winter nights, candlemaking is still a popular pre-Christmas activity.
In old Norway the Peace of Christmas began on St. Thomas’s Day. Towns designated special watchmen to ensure that peace and friendliness reigned during the holiday season. The Peace of Christmas also extended to animals. Hunters and fishermen removed traps and snares during the holiday season. This kindliness towards animals lives on in the custom of erecting a Christmas sheaf for birds and other small animals to feast on.
CHRISTMAS EVE
Church services are held around five p.m. on Christmas Eve. Those who attend return home to a sumptuous Christmas dinner. Popular main dishes include roast pork, sausages, and mutton. Many people also serve lutefisk (boiled codfish previously preserved in lye), a tradition surviving from past times when Norwegians abstained from eating meat on Christmas Eve. Like the Danes, Norwegian families also serve a dish of rice pudding with a single almond in it. Whoever finds the almond in their serving of pudding will have luck in the coming year. Other favorite Christmas desserts include crème caramel and cloudberry cream.
After dinner, some families take out the Bible and listen to one family member read the Gospel passages describing the birth of Jesus (see Gospel according to Luke; Gospel according to Matthew).
Then the family gathers around the Christmas tree, joins hands, and sings Christmas carols. To the relief of many impatient children, opening gifts comes next. Before going to bed many families make sure to leave out a bowl of pudding for the Julenisse.
CHRISTMAS DAY
Church services are also held on Christmas Day. The day’s main event, however, consists of a lavish Christmas buffet. The meal may include pork ribs, meat patties, a selection of cold meats, herring, trout, salmon, codfish, cheese, fruit, cloudberry cream, bread, and cake. Adults also enjoy beer and aquavit, a Scandinavian liquor, with the meal.
Some people practice an old custom called Julbukk, or “Christmas goat,” on Christmas Day. Groups of costumed children and adults walk through their neighborhood entertaining householders with songs in exchange for treats. These groups may bring a goat with them, or someone may impersonate a goat and this animal’s typically unruly behavior. Sometimes these costumed goats discipline misbehaving children by butting them. If two costumed goats meet, they often entertain onlookers by engaging in a play fight (for similar customs, see mumming).
RELATED DAYS
In Norway the Christmas season is peppered with saints’ days and other related celebrations. Many Norwegians celebrate St. Lucy’s Day on December 13. In the past, however, most Norwegians understood the Christmas season to start on December 21, St. Thomas’s Day.
Norwegians also celebrate St. Stephen’s Day, December 26. In the past bands of men rose before dawn and galloped from village to village singing folk songs about the saint. These robust performances awakened householders, who then refreshed Stephen’s men with ale or other alcoholic beverages. Today one can still see bands of young men, often in traditional costumes, singing folk songs from door to door on St. Stephen’s Day. Many Norwegians spend the day visiting with friends and family members.
Norwegians greet New Year’s Eve with a fresh round of noisemaking and parties. On January 6, Epiphany, the star boys roam the streets singing Christmas carols. The Christmas season ends on St. Knut’s Day, January 13.