Christmas in Norway
jul jol jʉːɽ term used christmas holiday season scandinavia part scotland originally jul name month old germanic calendar concept jul period time rather specific event prevailed scandinavia modern time jul period time stretching fourth sunday christmas eve december traditionally midjanuary date epiphany month december christmas week new year highlight modern english yule yuletide cognate term term jul common throughout norway sweden denmark iceland greenland scotland faroe island whereas start jul proper announced chiming church bell throughout country afternoon december accurate describe season eightweek event consists five phase advent julaften romjul nyttår end christmas often epiphany thirteenth day christmas final day season original beginning christmas day custom julebord spread entire season beyond often beginning well advance december modern day celebration largely based church year retained several prereformation prechristian element central event scandinavia christmas eve julaften main christmas meal served gift exchanged might due old germanic custom counting time night day eg fortnight hold holiday like midsummer eve jonsok lit wake st john st olavs mass olsok lit wake st olav main celebration eve official church day jul jol cognate norse jòlnir ýlir alternate name odin although root debated jul celebrated second moon new moon new moon winter half year – roughly new moon november new moon december time animal slaughter fattest flour processed work autumn completed time celebrate time celebration varied according written source legislation gulaþing mandatory farmer beerdrinking party least three farmer attending farmer far away neighbour difficult still brew much beer taking part party beer ready november tradition yule ale drinking jul symbolized drinking horn december runic calendar upsidedown drinking horn depicted january symbolizing ale finished according wording legislation two celebration beer drinking mandatory first form thanksgiving least three farmer attended second smaller party family old tradition brewing yule ale drinking honor æsir friend kinfolk also remained time following christianization law demanding people brew enough well strong enough however people drink honor christ virgin mary instead figure mischievous giftbearing norse nisse mythological creature associated winter solstice scandinavian folklore whitebearded redwearing ancestral spirit also known julenissen jul spirit integrated figure sinterklaas comprise modernday figure santa claus like cooky traditionally left santa claus today customary leave bowl rice porridge butter jul spirit gratitude food represented sacramental meal sacramental meal formally called blót—in particular instance yuleblót winterblót usual western world christmas feature christmas dinner decorated christmas tree exchange gift gift brought julenissen christmas hob christmas wight today appears identical santa claus remnant custom older agrarian society include decoration bough green spruce fir eg doormat sheaf wheat julenek hung outside culinary tradition vary regionally northern western norway pinnekjøtt rib mutton salted dried place also smoked steamed common dish whereas lutefisk cod popular southern norway eastern norway central norway pork rib roast common usually served medisterkaker medisterpølser meatball sausage made minced pork meat suet turkey recently made way variety cuisine enjoyed jul traditional food eaten første juledags frokost christmas day luncheon household serf available delicacy grand buffet family might serve several kind meat ham fenalår leg lamb cooked cured leg lamb pickled pig trotter head cheese mutton roll pork roll ox tongue several kind fish smoked salmon gravlax rakfisk pickled herring also range cheese various type jam meal tradition prescribes serving seven kind julebakst pastry coffee bread associated holiday gingerbread gingerbread house commonly decorated sugar frosting instance gingerbread cooky used decorating window well christmas tree although originating sweden strawberryflavoured marshmallow santa claus candy called juleskum also commonly eaten norway christmas eve many family eat risengrynsgrøt type rice porridge includes single almond scalded skin leave white whoever get almond win prize usually marzipan pig brewing closely associated preparation jul norwegian brewery release traditional christmas beer darker stronger flavorful common norwegian lager brewery also produce special soda known julebrus aquavit also commonly served digestif accompany heavy often fatty meal julebord holiday banquet often form buffet served traditional christmas food alcoholic beverage period julebord hosted begin november overlap beginning advent tradition root communal party held medieval norway part gulaþing time changed since ce laborintensive tradition serving julebord home vanishing custom moving private life become endofthe year corporate social gathering usually restaurant rented facility ordered catering case employer invite employee family typically one party every employer organization one might member well large corporation inviting important client nonalcoholic party school kindergarten advent start fourth sunday christmas december common child advent calendar contains one small gift day leading christmas typically contains sweet like chocolate small toy later year lego brick encouraging building small piece larger legoconstruction throughout calendar december also special status lille julaften little christmas eve many use day decorate christmas tree already done allow child open one small present teaser day come julaften christmas eve many family gather around tv morning watch czech movie three wish cinderella narrated voiceover norwegian knut risan followed reisen til julestjernen disney christmas special child get christmas stocking candy wake often parent use time prepare christmas dinner many family go church dinner even many never go church otherwise common eat rice porridge lunch dinner usually pm church bell ring symbolize beginning main holiday called ringe julen inn ringing christmas dinner dessert often leftover rice porridge mixed whipped cream called riskrem served red berry sauce gift opened romjul week christmas eve new year eve known english interscotia hunting fishing prohibited day julefred christmas peace closed season wild animal first second day christmas december holiday business closed december usually considered private holiday one see family december fairly common invite close friend help eat left food christmas eve julebukk translates yule goat today commonly known goat figurine made straw created beginning december often used christmas ornament yule goat oldest representation thorrs magical goat would lead night sky yule goat also spirit would protect house yuletide tradition sacrifice goat god accompanying spirit time span winter solstice winter night new year called romjul romjul goat julebukk sacrificed adult donned guise personify julebukk animal mask skin commonly goat horse donned activity called hoodening participant would parade house house disguising voice singing offering spiritual protection warning group would receive small amount money food drink exchange blessing offered december commonly half day work evening family tend dinner party similar christmas eve dinner though common invite friend andor neighbour midnight approach common leave house light firework together neighbour congratulate exact date end jul varies one common date thirteenth day christmas epiphany mass st knut january another old gisladag tjuendedag twentieth day january also called epiphany day candlemas february christmas tree decoration usually removed advent calendar norway christmas worldwide jól iceland jul denmark jul sweden yule celebration norway bente gullveig alver ann helene bolstad skjelbred norwegian ministry foreign affair mål vekt tid arild hauge christmas norway julebord party norway seven sort christmas cookie tradition recipe