| Christmas in Iceland
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If you are among the few who prefer lush gardens, waterfalls and undulating mountains, Iceland is probably the best place for you to be in. Enjoy your Christmas in Iceland, as you would be bewildered to find the large array of options that Iceland has to offer. Ranging from Geothermal springs, glaciers, deep ravines, plunging gorges, volcanoes and steaming clear blue waters of the Blue Lagoon, and not to leave out the Pingvellir National Park, Iceland has it all. If you are a nature lover and desire to spend your Christmas in a quite and peaceful place then Iceland should be your ideal bet. | |
Since time immemorial winter solstice was celebrated with much glee and grandeur in the Northern Hemisphere and these festivities accompanying a mid-winter festival was known to have been taking place well before the year 1000 i.e. before the advent of Christianity. There has been a raging controversy regarding this festival as many designate it as the Yule festival and not the traditional Christmas.
The etymological meaning of the word Yule is shrouded in mystery and thus it is difficult to equate or distinguish it from the Christmas celebrations. Nevertheless it refers to a delightful event and its ensuing rituals and customs have very much in common with Christmas. On December 23rd the Icelanders commemorate the death of their saint St. Thorlakur Thorhallsson or Bishop of Skálholt and it is on this date that the Yule tree is decorated and shop remain open till midnight.
Celebrations begin in Iceland at 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve as going by ancient norms a new day begins not at midnight but at 6pm. Traditional delicacies are Hangikjöt, smoked mutton and Rjúpa or rock ptarmigan, Laufabrauð or leaf bread.
Children wait patiently for the Aðfangadagur as after the evening meal they open their Yule presents. TV transmission stops in Iceland around 5 p.m. and again resumes at 10 p.m. Then the family meets for Jóladagur and partakes of Hangikjöt, which forms the main course of the feast. Yule days continue but this marks an end for the traditional Christmas celebrations.
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