The Icelandic Canadian - 01.12.1964, Page 12

Jdlirni - Christmas
In Iceland, the Festive Season is just that—a festive
season. Christmas is a happy time people enjoy.
Christmas is a holy occasion. People forget not the
reason for its celebration. Christmas is a ‘time for
time’. People take time — for friends, for family, for
thought, for enjoyment.
Reykjavik at Christmas time is aglow with life and colour. As the festive
season draws very near, the little city suddenly breathes new life. Houses and
apartment buildings announce the season with bright lights, row upon row.
The water in the harbour reflects in softer tones the coloured brightness of
many masts that seem to float on the skyline. And on Gamlarskvold, when
the children have touched matches to rubbish piles they have prepared for these
purposes, huge bonfires blaze their welcome throughout the city to the New year.
The gaiety of the decorations and the warmth of the fires are brought
together in the people of Iceland at this time of year. On the day before Christ-
mas Eve, the streets are very crowded with people doing their Christmas shop-
ping. One can expect, in the excitement, to be elbowed and jostled more than
usual. The same person who bumped you in passing on the street will welcome
you into his home, and there will treat you with a hospitality beautiful in its
warmth and generosity.
In Iceland, Christmas means many things. The traditional lights and decor-
ations; the Christmas tree decorating party; the children’s songs that everyone
sings; the jolasveinar; the hangikjot cooking; the churches crowded; the parties
and family gatherings;—these things and others are a welcome and familiar
part of the season. “GleSileg hatiS” is not merely a stock phrase. It is a reality.
Western Icelanders have maintained some of the customs of their fore-
fathers. Christmas Eve holds real meaning. “Heims urn
bol” is yet sung. Icelandic foods have a special place on
the table.
May it be that the child-like spirit and the truly
felt joy remain basic to each one; that the real meaning of
Christmas never be lost in the mechanization and speed
of present-day North American living. Whether wishes be
“Merry Christmas” or “GleSileg jol”, “a joyous holiday
season” or “GleSileg hatiS”, “Happy New Year!” or “Far-
saelt nytt ar”, may they come from the heart. And mav
they come true!
—Elin Josephson