Christmas

Christmas in Iceland - the fusion of paganism and ChristianityIn Iceland, as in many other countries, the feast of the Nativity of Christ was introduced to supersede the day of the winter solstice of Joul, which was often accompanied by abundant feasts, libations and sacrifices, often human. In Iceland, which initially adopted Christianity “with the right to perform ancient rituals behind the back of the church,” many pagan traditions took root in folklore.

For example, it was believed that on the night of Christmas, or Joule elves move to another place. So the hunters of elven wealth took up a place at the crossroads and tried to bargain with the elves for as long as possible - until dawn and the elves disappeared in the air, leaving all the good on earth. It is said that one such brave man could not resist a barrel of ghee-baked lamb fat - and lost everything.

But the preparations for Christmas start long before the crucial night. Confronting the almost polar winter, the cities dress up with lights already in November, and on the morning of December 13, children receive their first gifts - if they do not forget to put their shoes on the window sill. After all, on this day the first of the 13 “Christmas boys” (jólasveinn, as they are called in Iceland) descends from the mountains. Each of them has its own nickname and distinctive features, but they all do not mind frolic around the house - who licks plates or pots, who slams doors, who steals smoked lamb directly from the chimney. They come in turn every night - the last one is the "Svecheplut", leaving the largest gift on December 24. However, this and all other gifts must be earned by good behavior: naughty children are known to receive potatoes.

After dinner, the exciting part begins - the opening of gifts, and there are a lot of them under the tree. In the morning in many families it is customary to visit relatives and enjoy breakfast, necessarily including two components: thinly roasted flatbreads (laufabrauð - bread leaves) with skillfully carved patterns on them and hangikjöt - lamb, traditionally smoked in the chimney. Often, porridge with cream and raisins (Jólagrautur) is also served, as well as pastries that resemble firewood, but are called kleinur.

So, imperceptibly, from a barbaric and cruel feast, Joule turned into a completely God-pleasing and warm family holiday.