Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-25

S~T
~ SZA\ country. The winter
begins early in No
VemDer and has by the last of December
become SO monotonous that the festivities
OF the season are more than welcome
linen, TOO, the intense religious nature of
the Swedes causes them to approach Christ
mas with joy born of reverence
On Christmas morn, long before the late
sun rises, the people old as well as young
are our on loot or in sleighs, all fastening
toward the church from whose windows
the bright hight comes streaming across the
snow. Ihis morning service is not the be-
ginning OF the festivities-they commenced
Inc day before, while the preparations have
been going on for days or even weeks In
this time every one has been busy making
presents preparing surprises, wrapping
up the more trivial gifts into bundles OF
huge proportions. The housewives see to
IL mat the house is in perfect order and
every article that admits of polishing Is
SHINING as 1t never shone before. Then the
brewing must not be forgotten, especially
In the country, and for once at least white
Dread must take the place of the brown
cakes baked weeks or perhaps months be-
lore. The supply Of ale cannot be meager,
Tor, In addition to meeting home CON
sumption, there must be mug for each of
the many neighbors who during the coming
week will drop in with Or. sent or bring
their good wishes. Even the stock share in
the bountieS of the season and receive an
extra supply of provender while at least
one sheaf Of oats has been saved for the
hlrds. This Is fastened to the top of a pole
ana the merry chirp of the thankful birds
as they pick out the grains is sweet music
to the thoughtful farmer.
An Ancient Custom.
On Christmas eve the dinner is taken in
the kitchen, partly to tighten the evenings
Nv To
observe the ancient custom of dipping in
the pot" For this ham, meat, tongue
etc, have been boiled together, and while
the pot still hangs over the fire each MEM
Der Of the family takes a slice of bread
and tries to dip it completely into the not
and remove it without having it break into
pieces. When all have shown their skill the
meat is eaten, after which come rice and
apple sauce. Later in the evening the
famous Yule dish of Goldfish and potatoes is
brought forth, followed by rice cooked as
none but Swedes can. And why should
they not know how? Their mothers pre-
pare the same dish, SO did their grand
mothers and no one knows when the first
9 On. mas risgryns grot' was cooked
But before the first grain can be taken
eacn person must recite a rhyme of his
own These have been worked over perhaps
Tor weeks and are intended to point out
NiAN VI lOlDieS Ol some member
the household. ~
After the dinner things have been put
away. next in order is the lighting of the
Christmas tree and the distribution of
presents. The gifts are not hung on the
tree-that is simply decorated with tinseI,
cotton snow. lights. etc.-but they are
brought in by Jul Bocken," the Christmas
goat. This part is taken by some member
OF the family, who dressed in fur or sheep
skin, wears the mask of a goat and car
rfes on his back the laden basket The
goat perpetuates the tradition that Thor
drove goats to the chariot whose rumbing
caused the thunder. The presents are
taken from the basket by the head Of the
family. who reads out the name and what
ever inscription they may bear Here again
there is rivalry in the preparation of
appropriate remarks well as in the
selection Of the Gift.
JOY and Laughter.
In the country there is a race to see who
will be the first to finish the chores on
Christmas morning. No part of this work
can be done on the day before, and each
of the younger folks not only tries to
hurry along his own task, but seeks to
throw obstacles in the way of all the 9TH
erS. This Is a source Of great merriment
and the laughter of the girls in the house
and the boys at the barn or woodpile is
the harbinger Of joyous day. The wood
chopping Is serious work, for on this
fule log cannot lie alone in the great wide
mouthed fireplace.
1t is around this fire that the choicest
stories are told and many fabulous tales
narrated Of "Tomte Gubben'-the little
man with a grayish blouse. red-pointed
hood, long gray beard, large head and
small body who is ever present, but never
seen. This tomte is sort of personal
friend who concerns himself with the well
fare of the household and avoids a d.
vided interest by attending to only one
He must be we'll treated and duly respected
for who else could stop the horse as 1t
started to run away? or keep the little
tot from falling when 1t stumbled? or save
the dish from breaking when it slipped
out Of the hands and fell upon the floor?
No one. 1t was tomte, of course. A little
food is left for him in each plate at this
glad season, and little ones-perhaps some
of the older ones. too-as they look into
the fire see this little friend in the pointed
flame or curling smoke. The "Jul Gloeep"
that mysterious mixture of brandy mo-
lasses and spices-is passed around lin
boring tongues and fancies and stories
which at other times might be dull or
pointless now take on peculiar charm.
Until Trettendag JUL
The merrymaking is kept up for several
days, people making visits and giving par
ties. and but little work is thought of until
the thirteenth day. 'Trettendag Jul" is
past. while the holiday is not completely
over until the twentieth day. On this date
the final feast is held the best Of the white
bread Is eaten and the last of the Christ
mas ale Is drunk. On this occasion the
choicest heirlooms are brought out. the
rarest silver. the queer old pewter vessels
ard richest wood carvings-ar,icles that
are seen ONLY then and at wedding fes-
rivals On the morrow they are nut away
to STAY A vesr unless a marriage calls
them out Of their hiding
In the cities tor. there Is unusual eavetv
at this season The streets are crowded
with reonle hurrvirg along with their
many parcels and everv available nook
and corner is taken nv a market man or |
woman with booth. for dur'n~ the few
davs nrior TO Christmas the rigid laws are
relaxed and everv onportur'tv is given to |
those who seek to earn a few crowns nv |
selling TOYS fir trees. or the ever present |
girger-bread. "risse ork nasse" the man
and woman with ioined hands and red
feathers in their cans. or the Yule goat |
who takes on a variety Of shapes and pos
lures in brown cookies.
Such is Christmas in nv dear old Swe-
den, Int 1t is rot simpiv rrerrvmatinp.
the primal thought Is never lost sight OF
ard in the heart Of each one there IL the
echo Of the words Of the lips: Unto us
child Is born. Halle. Hailelntah"
LILLIAN SPARRENDAHL GORE.