The White Falcon - 21.12.1984, Blaðsíða 4

Icelandic Christmas traditions continued from page 1
and have shown a benevolent side to their nature
by doling out gifts to good children.
From December 12 until Christmas day, Icelandic
children leave theirshoes in the windows at night.
During the night, Gryla dispatches one of her
sons to check on the children. Those who have
been good will receive a present or treat in their
shoes; those who have not been good will find only
a rock or potatoe.
Watch out for the Christmas cat
Part of the ancient legend that still remains
concerns Gryla's Christmas Cat. In appearance it
resembles a Halloween witches' cat; black with
fiery red eyes. The cat is the final judge.
Children whose behavior doesn't garner them any
presents from the troll sons will become the cat's
Christmas dinner.
Other Icelandic yuletide traditions are recent
in comparison with the tale of Gryla. One trad-
ition .s advent calendars for children. An ad-
vent calendar will have a Christmas scene on a
paper or fabric background with the numbers from
1-24 over it. Behind each number is a small
piece of chocolate. Beginning on the first of
December, the children open one number each day
until Christmas.
Most Icelandic families put up their Christmas
tree on December 23. But December 24, Christmas
Eve, is the real beginning of the holiday. At 6
p.m. , all the church bells ring throughout the
country. This signals the beginning of the "holy"
day. The sound of the ringing bells is even car-
ried over the radio so those who live too far
from a church will get the signal; a signal to
turn the lights on the home Christmas trees.
Then the family -- hopefully not absent any
children caught by the trolls -- all sit down to
a Christmas meal. Traditional foods include
ptarmigan, smoked lamb, puffin and pork. After
eating it's the children's favorite time; time to
open the presents! Many Icelanders also wait un-
til Christmas Eve to open Christmas cards. Even
if the cards have been opened they are examined
one more time.
Time for reflection, feasting and family
Like Christians everywhere, Icelanders view
December 25 as the time to celebrate the birth of
Jesus Christ; a Christian tradition dating from
the 4th century A.D. It's a day to rest and
relax.
Perhaps the most striking Icelandic Christmas
tradition is also one of the newest. As Americans
do on Memorial Day, at Christmas Icelanders visit
the gravesites of their departed family members.
The sites are adorned with ornaments and colored
lights.
The Icelandic Christmas season lasts 26 days.
Thirteen for Gryla's sons to leave their lair in
the mountains, one-by-one, and another 13 for
them to return. The last reaches his cave on Jan-
uary 6; that's when Icelanders take down the
Christmas tree and contribute it to a community
bonfire. When the glow of the fading fire is no
longer enough to keep them warm, the neighbors
gather for talking and dancing.
There is much that is the same, and much that
is different, about the way Christmas is cele-
brated in Iceland. But, if you're a parent look-
ing for a new method to control the kid's behav-
ior during the holidays, 13 troll sons on the
prowl for naughty children to be their Christmas
dinner makes pretty good sense.
HRM courses
scheduled for change
Storekeeper First Class (SKI)
Gustavo Alvarez and Radioman
First Class (RM1) Jim Sauers in-
struct the last Military Rights
and Responsibilities Workshop.
In January three workshops:
Rights and Responsibilities, Cul-
ture Expression, and Sexual Har-
assment will be combined into
one workshop called, Navy Rights
and Responsibilities.
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The White Falcon December 21, 1984