Our nights are getting longer as we count down the days to Christmas. December 6th marked the remembrance of St. Nicholas, a legendary person of history. This saint is not too well-known in Scandinavia, but is remembered as a generous soul to children, the poor, and men of the sea. The stories of St. Nicholas become intertwined with that of our famous Santa Claus, who will be arriving soon. 
Our advent calendar is progressing well. For those of you who have one for the children, you might enjoy an adult version, A very popular one is an Orange and Cloves calendar . All one needs is a fragrant orange, and the needed number of cloves to mark each remaining day to Christmas.
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To made this aromatic calendar, just insert the stalk end of the cloves into the unpealed orange in a pattern designed by you. Use a toothpick to design your pattern while creating the holes to insert the cloves. These "Calendars" can be placed anywhere you wish. Each day, pull out a clove and refresh the room with the pleasant aroma of holiday preparations.
Our advent calendar is progressing well. For those of you who have one for the children, you might enjoy an adult version, A very popular one is an Orange and Cloves calendar . All one needs is a fragrant orange, and the needed number of cloves to mark each remaining day to Christmas.
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To made this aromatic calendar, just insert the stalk end of the cloves into the unpealed orange in a pattern designed by you. Use a toothpick to design your pattern while creating the holes to insert the cloves. These "Calendars" can be placed anywhere you wish. Each day, pull out a clove and refresh the room with the pleasant aroma of holiday preparations.-----------------------------------------------------
December 13th marks the darkest and shortest day of the year. This day earned a mark on the Scandinavian calendar, which was called a primstav--a wooden calendar stick. On this day Lussi 
langnatt ( Lucy Longnight), as such, Åsgårdsreia (Asagard parade--(a trail of unsettled dead souls) became a tradition. These restless souls would travel from farm to farm seeing if people were preparing for Christmas. If not, these wandering souls would vandalize the farm.. To protect themselves, the farmers would paint tar crosses over the doors of their houses and barns.On this long night, animals gained the ability to speak and were expected to be generously fed. This feasting was also expected in the farmer’s family.
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langnatt ( Lucy Longnight), as such, Åsgårdsreia (Asagard parade--(a trail of unsettled dead souls) became a tradition. These restless souls would travel from farm to farm seeing if people were preparing for Christmas. If not, these wandering souls would vandalize the farm.. To protect themselves, the farmers would paint tar crosses over the doors of their houses and barns.On this long night, animals gained the ability to speak and were expected to be generously fed. This feasting was also expected in the farmer’s family.
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Saint Lucia Day is one of few saint days observed in Scandinavia and her story stretches back to the time of the Vikings and the Roman Empire. Lucia was a brave young Sicilian woman who heard of the persecution of Christians by the Emperor Diocletian and decided to take action. She gave one Christian family her entire dowry. This angered her betrothed husband, who then told authorities that Lucia secretly practiced Christianity. Lucia, who died a martyr’s death was much admired for her courage, generosity and faith. Her memory was not forgotten.
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It was not until after World War II that the modern celebration of Lucia in Norway was imported from Sweden. Luciadagen became a day to commemorate martyrs on the anniversary of their death ( or birth into heaven). In tradition, the eldest daughter of the family arises to treat her family in the early morning of December 13th bearing treats and wearing a crown of candles.
The day of feasting begins. Christmas is coming.
What a interesting blog today. I haven’t heard of the dark day, but I have been involved in celebrating St. Lucia Day and it’s a beautiful ceremony. A little scary having candles in someones crown...but very pretty. I love the Advent Calendar using an orange & cloves. I’m going to have to try that sometime.
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