Originally posted by josephwathiest too man. me and my gf have two cats and two kittens, they think its for them! they climb right up to the top.. i love the tree smell too, reminds me of christmas.. lol
have nativity scenes and lights and Christmas trees set up a your house.
I don't!
Originally posted by AThousandYoungThat's one thing I like with Christmas - it's a delightful blend of different religious and cultural traditions. Here in Norway, it's still called "jul" (i.e. Yule), and they throw some Norse mythology into the mix. For example, Santa Claus is called "julenisse" ('Christmas nisse'😉 here, Nisse being a short form of Nicolaus; but a "nisse" is also a Norse mythological creature. The "julenisse" has taken over some characteristics from other "nisser", while "nisser" in general now mostly appear in connection with Christmas, too.
"Christmas" trees aren't really Christian. Germanic peoples have been decorating trees in the winter like forever...
This year I'll spend Christmas in Japan and am curious to see what kind of mix of traditions I'll see there. The Japanese seem to be pretty good at integrating different cultures and religions.
Speaking of Christmas trees, obviously I won't have one this year as I am going to Japan (and I don't know if my brother and his family are going to have one), but last year I had my first own Christmas tree (it was the first time I was celebrating Christmas at home), with star and all: http://home.online.no/~khgott/juletre2.jpg
At my parents' home, we have a nativity set with wax figurines that was created over many years by both adults and children, a nice family activity (I think I wasn't even born when it was started; now the next generation has contributed, too). In addition to the traditional set-up, you'll find lots of animals you won't find in most nativity sets, such as snakes, snails and mice, and even a dragon that my father made in celebration of the Chinese year of the dragon. It has many family memories linked to it, so it has a lot of personal meaning in addition to the cultural and religious meaning.
Originally posted by NordlysBoo! The julbock rules!
That's one thing I like with Christmas - it's a delightful blend of different religious and cultural traditions. Here in Norway, it's still called "jul" (i.e. Yule), and they throw some Norse mythology into the mix. For example, Santa Claus is called "julenisse" ('Christmas nisse'😉 here, Nisse being a short form of Nicolaus; but a "nisse" is also a Norse myt ...[text shortened]... of personal meaning in addition to the cultural and religious meaning.
Yule Goat is number one! Although the nisse are OK.
Originally posted by josephwNativity scene? No. Christmas Tree? Of course. We do live in the Western Hemisphere, after all. Does one have to believe in some specific fairy tale to pariticipate in a festive holiday season?
have nativity scenes and lights and Christmas trees set up a your house.
I don't!
Originally posted by AThousandYoungI thought you were the julebukk!
I didn't know there was a Yule Goat!
In Norway, there's a tradition of "going julebukk" during the time between Christmas and New Year's Eve, where children come to the doors in costumes, sing Christmas carols and ask for sweets, not unlike Halloween. But I have never seen any children actually do this, I think it's not very common anymore (but I have also been away during that time most years).
Originally posted by NordlysMaybe I become it when I have my seizures. I thought I was simply Will Smith, but maybe I was mistaken.
I thought you were the julebukk!
In Norway, there's a tradition of "going julebukk" during the time between Christmas and New Year's Eve, where children come to the doors in costumes, sing Christmas carols and ask for sweets, not unlike Halloween. But I have never seen any children actually do this, I think it's not very common anymore (but I have also been away during that time most years).