Unusual Christmas tradition in Norway

Considering that Christmas is coming, I've decided to describe one of the most interesting traditions in Norway, associated nowadays with this special holiday, which is the Brewing of Christmas beer. In fact, the practice dates back to the pre-Christian times. It's not, therefore, linked to any religion in particular.

At the very beginning, at least three neighbours were supposed to gather together and bring a certain amount of beer, which they later drank to honour Odin, Njård and Frøy. They did it also to bring the sun back again. It also served to commemorate the deceased ones and heroes. Afterwards, Christianity took over this custom and the tradition became extremely important in a process of the Christianization of Norway.

Oddly enough, farmsteads, which were obligated to prepare Christmas beer and didn't take care of it, were severely punished. It was either a loss of a beloved farmstead or an exile from the country. Which is, in my opinion, the punishment adequate for the delinquency. The law anticipated that it was obligatory to use as many kilograms of grains as the householder and his wife weigh together.

Currently, the Christmas beer is mostly connotated as a dark and strong beer. In Norwegian culture, it's one of the most significant custom during Christmas. And the sales always raise during those days. So... skål!

source: https://www.medieval.eu/the-royal-drinking-horns-of-norway/

(The picture of the royal drinking horn. Traditionally, Norwegians were drinking the famous Christmas beer from a horn.)

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