Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! Spending this holiday here in Norway has been wonderful. They have such beautiful Christmas traditions. Everything begins in the afternoon on Christmas eve. The Church service begins at 4:15 with lots of singing and ends at 5pm. Then the church bells chime from 5 until 6. We headed home to a delicious sit down dinner that included baked ribs, potatoes, (a not very sour, delicious) sauerkraut, peas and corn, and meatcakes. My Aunt Bjørg's mother made the fodo for the 13 of us who ate together. For dessert there was a traditional milk rice pudding with berries on top. In the large bowl there is one hidden, peeled almond and the person who get the almond (after hiding it in his mouth until everyone is finished eating) shows it at the end and wins a small prize! After the wonderful dinner, in true Norwegian tradition, we walked around the Christmas tree holding hands singing Christmas Carols. Most were in Norwegian (of course) and there is a kids one where everyone stops walking to clap and do a few motions. This scared me quite a bit at first, not being able to actually understand the song and all. It was very funny. After quite a few songs we all sat down and the presents were passed out. Each person receives one of his presents and opens it while everyone is watching. Once each person has opened one gift, the rest of the gifts are passed out. Then the rest of the night is spent with family, drinking coffee and enjoyinge ach others company.

On the first Christmas day (the 25th) I woke up with the sun (around 9:30 am) and then spent time relaxing with family and enjoyed a delicious meal the Aunt Bjørg made. The second day of Christmas (the 26th) is, still a work holiday, is more often spent visiting with friends.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas!