Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1901-12-26
A NORWEGIAN CHRISTMAS.
Observance OF the Festival in the Land
OF the Pine is Marked by Unique
Customs and Practices.

Christmas lasts a long while in Norway
and Sweden nearly half the year. This Is
because several months are spent before
the great day in looking forward and pre-
pairing for 1t, and several months after 1t,
in looking backward and talking over its
past joys, says the Brooklyn Eagle. There
is no country in the world where the cell
ebration is more typical, no country bet
ter fitted for this cele brat ion than the land
of the dark Norway pine" For though
Christmas may be Christmas in the spirit
of its observance the world over, it can
only have the real ring, the genuine flavor
where the SHOWS crackle under foot and
the stars glitter like diamonds in the keen
frosty air. That is the habitat of jolly
Saint Nick, and from palace to the poo est
cottage all over Norway the houses are
fragrant with spruce and pine and Chris
mas carols and Christmas bells ring out
their messages of cheer and good will.
The gracious custom still obtains of fast
ching sheaveS of wheat or corn out side
the windows that the snow birds may have
merry Christmas too. Visits are freely
exchanged on Christmas day and to all
corners is offered the so-caled poor man $
cake, "fattigmandes. There is nothing
poor about the cake, however, for it is
a very delicious compound.
The preparations for the great festival
begin early in October, the first step be-
ing the butchering of especially selected
animals. In Dolcarlia, Sweden, there Is
always a particular butcher who passes
from farm to farm to kill hogs and cure
hams. After this comes the house clean
ing, which is no small operation, as the
entire house from garnet to cellar is gone
over and left in most immaculate con-
dition. The washing Of clothes, blankets
and curtains also takes place at this time,
SO that by the first of December all Is in
readiness for the Christmas baking. Such
an ado as there is over this baking; one
would think the fate of the nation hung
upon the proper mixing of butter eggs,
spices and various other edibles. All the
women and children who are old enough
have a hand in these preparations, seed
ing raisins, Smelling nuts and beating up
cakes. Cakes of all sizes and descriptions
are made; the regular Christmas cake
somewhat resembles our raisin bread and
the poor mans cake which is something
Of a misnomer is a rich compound of eggs
and cream and other ingredients. Just
before Christmas comes the bread max
ing, in order that by Christmas Eve all
may be done and the servants and house
keeper may be free from care during the
twenty days following Christmas, which
are given over to festivities.
The day before Christmas Eve sees the
last marketing done and the market place
at that time is a scene for an artist. From
far and near the peasants gather, many
of than in quaint costumes of Vario gated
Colors. Such Gathering of voices as
there is over the bargaining and buying
such an exchange of greetings, such a
moving mass of color. Suddenly all comes
to an end, at 6 o'clock the bells of all
the churches begin to ring and all the
shops are closed.
The Christmas eve celebration is always
one of family ieur,on ana is looked upor
as a sacred time Early in the evening
che of the younger children recltes q
Christmas hymn v hich Is followed by the
serving Of supper Some Of the dishes
which are pretty sure TO figure at this
feast are rice poriidge spare ribs, cram
berries and poor mans cake. After sup
per the doors of the parlor are thrown
open to display in the centre the great
tree loaded with gifts. The company enter
two by two ard encircle the tree singing
a merry Christmas carol, after which the
presents ara distributed. Early Christina,
morning the sound of bells and mus sic !.
heard far and wide. Bands ere stationed
| at different places, at some instances II
| the church towers, the sheaves of whea
| are placed in the windows for the birds
and at 10 o'clock everybody gees TO church
I Many unique customs arc practiced b.
the peasantry living in tie central noun
tans of Norway, though masquerading il
not "a much INDUCED in as formerly
There is legend of an old man called th
DCVrcgubbe, who was supposed TO live il
an enchanted castle and drive about CT
Christmas night, visiting his wrath npor
all peasants who failed to place bow
of rye porridge in his way
Very little shopping or UNNECESSARY
work is done in Norway until January l3
the time between that date and Christina
being largely devoted TO Joyful family anC
friendly reunions. The Swedes and Nor
wtgians Of America, who ere able to visi
thntt- To-. II, a. "a.
the Christmas season for it is one of thoi
greatest joys to he Mt hoUe in time for tn
heartfelt greeting Of "Glaedelg JUL
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