Thursday, December 18, 2008

X-Mas - just before and simple thoughts about Religions and Vikings

Have you ever thougt about how people born with Christian traditions these Days, in spite of so called Finacial Experts failure, still stress to create a link back in history and traditions that are more or less Dreams. And shop things instead of warm relationship?
Santa Claus. Coming.

In other Religions. Id, Ramadan, Lent and so on. Gifts - to whom and why?
. Follow the Religous leaders rules and traditions.
People have to obey.
If not?
In some few countries they are free to speak out, in others they will be punished to Death.
Is that Religion and Gods Will or is it something else?
If you have the will and ability to have a free mind, think about it.
But you may live under circumstances that will give you real trouble for you and your family if you think otherwise than what is accepted by your society rulers now in power.

I don't know.
However, the folowing 2 photos is take just now, in our Kitchen.

Here is our Kitchen Window decorations this Season. Both Photos
- each of them - can be enlarged by clicking.

Very traditional. Yes. But Why?
When you have Sunrise after 9 am and Sunset before 3 pm you might have something that can lighten up your mind and courage?

And of course a cultural heritage. Since centuries.

Here in the Nordics they had a single word for it: Jul.
That word has been adopted in several languages.
In French: Joli.
Everybody speaking French understand it's a compliment to say:
Tu es joli.
In fact - that's from the Vikings.
They were not at all as brutal as most of you have been told.
In the contrary.
They invented Jol. (the Viking Exibition in Paris and Berlin in the early 1990'ies clearfied)
When the Rich shared their wealth with the Poor.
That's the origin of the Scandivian Social Model.
i.e a more than a 1000 years of culture.

Blog for Peace

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11 Comments:

Blogger Puss-in-Boots said...

I'm with you there, Tor. I think the spirit of Christmas is sadly lacking nowadays. Things are so commercialised and yes, I'm just as bad...as the last two days can attest.

However, one day...hopefully, one day, things may go back to the way they used to be. Let's hope.

December 18, 2008 7:40 am  
Blogger MaR said...

I like your way of thinking, Tor!
We are a weird family, we do not buy a single Xmas present. We are 3 adults and our gift is the time we spend together over Xmas...and the ski tickets, since we go away for the holidays. It is because we are away from our families, but we learned to like it this way...

December 18, 2008 7:44 am  
Blogger Shadow said...

decorate away. traditions bring comfort and warmth! i posted your card yesterday, by the way... don't think it'll get to you in time though. but, here's hoping anyway.

and i may live in south africa, but my parents were german, so now, in south africa, with english husband, we still have a very traditional german christmas happening. and i like it. and won't change it either. for those very reasons. comfort and warmth!

December 18, 2008 11:56 am  
Blogger Maribeth said...

Christmas has not been all that special for me in many years. This year? Well my daughter and her boyfriend are coming and I am cooking a wonderful prime rib of beef! I am so happy and excited for this holiday and plan to fill it with happiness and love!
Yes, dear one.
Blogs for peace!

December 18, 2008 3:16 pm  
Blogger Mother of Invention said...

I just tasted a Yule Log cake for the first time recently and it was so good! A mocha-chocolate mousse in choc. cake rolled up!


Don't seem to have much time for blogging but I'll try to peek in on yours every now and then.

Have a Merry Christmas!

December 18, 2008 3:26 pm  
Blogger Gattina said...

I think Christmas has nothing to do anymore with religion. It's just a nice colorful and joyful moment to spend together. I know Morrocans here who have their Christmas tree too, as well as my hindu friend and those who don't believe in anything. One thing is very positive, this time people are more friendly together then during the year and that's already something ! and they think about the poor ....

December 18, 2008 4:29 pm  
Blogger Unknown said...

You are so correct! I think N. America is the biggest offender for it.

You know P and I went out to dinner for our anniversary in plain clothing. The waitress asked us if we were stopping in from Christmas shopping???? What? huh? Yeah, yes sure.. that is what we were doing..

It's like a conditioned response to go shopping. So sad!

On the other hand, my most memorable Christmas and holiday times were with friends in Europe, celebrating friendship, gathering enjoying company, food and happiness...

I think being thankful for your friends and family is what the holidays should be about...

December 18, 2008 6:31 pm  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mmm, I'm totally with you there. There is so much bad stress these days. And demands. Not joy.

I'm so glad that we're not having near and dear ones that's like that. Phew.

No, it's peace and joy here. Though we're celebrating xmas 3 different days. The 23rd with Jane, the 24th only hubby and me, the 26th with my siblings - everyone is bringing different food with them. Knytkalas.

Some xmas decorations must be there otherwise it's difficult to get the right xmas spirit, but maybe that's just memories from the childhood.

The lights from the advents star and the candle lights are a must in this awful darkness. I'm so tired of the dark. And rain.

We might escape somewhere if we get the chance...

December 18, 2008 11:00 pm  
Blogger Ginnie Hart said...

That reminds me, Tor: "Can anything good come out of [Norway]?" Oh yes, of course!!! :)

December 19, 2008 6:09 pm  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Interesting thoughts about Yule Tor and well written. Actually, I made a post about it myself, connected with the Winter Solstice :-)

December 21, 2008 10:38 pm  
Blogger lime said...

i am very late getting here but the linguistic history is facinating. thanks!

December 21, 2008 11:46 pm  

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