. Yule or Yuletide ("Yule time" or "Yule season") is a festival historically observed by the Germanic peoples.Scholars have connected the original celebrations of Yule to the Wild Hunt, the god Odin, and the pagan Anglo-Saxon Mōdraniht.. Later departing from its pagan roots, Yule underwent Christianised reformulation, resulting in the term Christmastide. It began as a pagan observance and adopted later into Christian holidays, burned on Christmas Eve. When messengers went through the various countries bearing tidings of a new religion and of the birth of a Son who brought light and new life into the whole world, they endeavored to retain as many of the established ancient yule traditions as possible, but gave to the old-time festivals a finer character and significance. Loki knew that everything in nature except the mistletoe had promised not to injure the great god Balder. I's stunning places are just made even better with all the best - Scandinavian Food: 12 Best Scandinavian Dishes To Try - Food, Travel, Travel Advice - Denmark, Europe, Faroe Islands, Iceland, Norway, Sweden - Travel, Food and Home Inspiration Blog with door-to-door Travel Planner! There was a time when the Yule Goat was considered a demonic and frightening creature that roamed the countryside on the night of December 25, demanding food and frightening devout Christians. The goat can fly, and it often carries Santa on his yearly journey to deliver his sack of goodies around the world. For a while the birth of Christ was celebrated on dates varying from the first to the sixth of January; on the dates of certain religious festivals such as the Jewish Passover or the Feast of Tabernacles; but the twenty-fifth of December, the birthday of the sun, was ever the favorite date. The traditions of the Yule log, Yule goat, Yule boar (Sonargöltr) reflected in the Christmas ham, Yule singing, and other such traditions, stem from Pagan Yule customs. The Yule Goat is one of the oldest Scandinavian Yule symbols and traditions. The tradition of burning a Yule log at Christmastime predates modern commemorations of the birth of Christ. When the mistletoe struck Balder it pierced him through and through and he fell lifeless. ““Jul” or Yule, was celebrated long before Christianity came to Scandinavia. Christmas in Finland is not just a one or two-day affair. All your Finnish favorites in a blue gift basket. Scandinavian Christmas Traditions “Jul” or Yule, was celebrated long before Christianity came to Scandinavia. Swedish Pancakes (Pannkakor) 30 mins Ratings. For Christians, Christmas begins the movement of mankind from Darkness into Light. The holly, laurel, mistletoe, and other greens used by the Druids still served as decorations of the season, not as a shelter for fairies, as in former days, but as emblems of resurrection and of immortal hope. Historically, in the far north, meats such as reindeer, and other (semi-)game dishes were eaten, some of which have their roots in the Sami culture, while fresh vegetables have played a larger role in the South. The Yule Log pastry, often decorated with nuts, cream, or cheese (or all three) is also a symbol of the Yule fire, which before burning was inscribed with runes, and decorated with sprigs of other trees – particularly holly, which stayed green all year – another reminder of the coming of the light. . Incidentally, in recent years, some historians have put forth the notion that Christianity made relatively easy inroads into Denmark, Iceland, Sweden (and later Norway) because it was easy for Vikings to see that Christ’s resurrection was much like that of Baldr, the beautiful and blessed son of the “All-Father”. Here are ten ways to celebrate the Winter Solstice with your family. Nations retaining the Gregorian calendar, such as Russia and Greece, observe it thirteen days later than those who reckon time by the Julian calendar. There are sections on holiday food (a yule log), requisite recipes for rye bread, kringle, Danishes and even marzipan-filled Easter eggs. The gleams of the firelight dance Upon helmet and haubert and lance, And laugh in the eyes of the King; And he cries to Halfred the Scald, Gray-bearded, wrinkled, and bald, "Sing!". Leading up to Christmas, we’ll be decorating Christmas trees, ringing in the Winter Solstice and eating a few saffron buns for St. Lucia Day on December 13. The Old Norse festival was known as “Jol”, though it is spelled in other ways. The food peculiar to this season of rejoicing has retained many features of the feasting recorded among the ancient yule traditions of earlier people. Allrecipes has more than 240 trusted Scandinavian recipes complete with ratings, reviews and cooking tips. Yule, or Winter Solstice traditions are many and generous, and are shared not only with Christianity with the birthday of the Christ Child, but with many pre-Christian Pagan traditions and indeed more recent ones. The boar made his appearance in mythological circles and ancient yule traditions when one was offered as a gift to Frey, god of … Here are a few Yule traditions we still have. Think of it – the so-called “Yule Log” one sometimes sees burning on obscure cable TV channels actually has its roots in the Viking longhouse. Drop about 1/2 teaspoon per cookie on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. The Yule log has returned to its roots, having … Food is a huge deal in this region, with many Christmas-themed parties serving up boards full of foods like cold cuts, fish, and various sweet treats. In the myths and legends of these, our ancestors, we find the origin of many of the ancient Yule tide customs now in vogue. Day after day, as the sun's power diminished, these primitive people feared that he would eventually be overcome by darkness and forced to remain in the under world. Darkness could not overtake him, for he was symbolical of the sun, his golden bristles typifying the sun's rays. The traditions of the Yule log, Yule goat, Yule boar (Sonargöltr) reflected in the Christmas ham, Yule singing, and other such traditions, stem from Pagan Yule customs.The Yule Goat (Norwegian julebukk) is one of the oldest Scandinavian Jul symbols. To the Lord! Traditional Christmas food … Many historians believe the tradition of the Christmas ham has its roots in this Scandinavian practice. "The King of Light, father of aged Time, Hath brought about that day which is the prime, To the slow-gliding months, when every eye Wears symptoms of a sober jollity, And every hand is ready to present Some service in a real compliment.". According to ancient yule traditions of the Edda, gifts from the gods and goddesses were laid on Balder's bier and he, in turn, sent gifts back from the realm of darkness into which he had fallen. Our Favorite Scandinavian Christmas Traditions. There became “Twelve Days of Christmas”. Artist unknown Scandinavian food is unique, combining a culture of different people from the Nordic nations to bring out a special tasty delicacy that will keep you ordering for more. Diho Bakery Inc 14130 Culver Dr , Irvine 92604 949-857-6415 . On the shining wall a vast And shadowy cross was cast From the hilt of the lifted sword, And in the foaming cups of ale The Berserks drank "Was-hael! The boar made his appearance in mythological circles and ancient yule traditions when one was offered as a gift to … Unique Scandinavian Cuisines by Country . All Christendom owes a debt of gratitude to its pagan forbears for the pleasant features of many of its holidays and especially for those of Yule-tide. When the first new growth was discovered it was gathered by the white-robed priests, who cut it from the main bough with a golden sickle never used for any other purpose. ", Give yourself an awesome Christmas gift this year. Wreath To ensure a good harvest in the Spring, pigs were sacrificed and eaten at the Yule feast. Ceremony of the Yule log in Haute Provence, late-19th century engraving. The Yule lads are huge characters: The Yule lads are another interesting tradition from the Nordic region. Great excitement prevailed among the assembled gods and goddesses when Balder was struck dead and sank into Hel, and they would have slain the god of darkness had it not occurred during their peace-stead, which was never to be desecrated by deeds of violence. So he searched for the mistletoe until he found it growing on an oak-tree "on the eastern slope of Valhalla." In the corners of millions of houses throughout the Christian world (and sometimes even outside of it, in the case of Japan, for example), one finds the modern version of the Vikings’ tree – the Christmas tree, which remains green, reminding people that light will return. There are sections on holiday food (a yule log), requisite recipes for rye bread, kringle, Danishes and even marzipan-filled Easter eggs. While we may not be having the Yule goat, we can celebrate with a Christmas ham, as many Nordic countries do. Our Favorite Scandinavian Christmas Traditions. Irvine Assal Pastry 14130 Culver Dr , Irvine 92604 949-733-3262. They are indeed based on ancient traditions. Cover, and place in a warm place. In Rome the day was dedicated by Numa to the honor of god Janus, for whom Julius Cæsar named the month of January. Her tears would provide “the kiss of life”. See more ideas about Desserts, Dessert recipes, Food. Ham. This boar was a remarkable animal; he could run faster than a horse, through the air and over water. British and Scandanavian food of the time were pretty much the same and to call our cuisine the worst in the world and isolated when we had just as many influences as Scandinavian is ignorant. One of them was the sacrifice and eating of a boar – a sacrifice to Frey, who (along with his sister Freya) symbolized fertility, among other things. "Trine Hahnemann's latest book attempts to translate hygge into the kitchen through 130 or so recipes for Scandinavian comfort food. Festivals of light can be found in many cultures. Scandinavian food is delicious but also it's an incredible region of Europe to visit. However, Iceland perhaps preserved the largest amount of Viking food traditions, since isolation of this country in history has been next to exceptional. This also happened to be during the time when the people of Scandinavia celebrated Jol, the winter solstice, which marked the longest day of the year and the slow returning to light. At The Scandinavian Shoppe, we have an abundance of different Swedish treats that can be used as Swedish gifts or for a fun way to welcome people into your home. Many pre-industrial cultures marked and celebrated the winter and summer solstices (as well as the autumnal and spring equinoxes). Before December 24, most workplaces, unions, schools, football teams, or extended groups of friends arrange a Julefrokost (Yule Lunch), but sometimes they are delayed until January. U ntil further notice the Café will be closed. The season was supposed to be one of peace on earth and good-will to man. Jolakotturinn is a Christmas cat from Iceland with a habit of eating unhelpful and rude children. . Ancient Yule Traditions are generally attributed to the injunction of the angels who sang at the birth of Christ, but according to a much older story the idea of peace and good-will at Yule-tide was taught centuries before Christ. 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