Christmas in Sweden goes back to pagan festivals relating to Thor and Saint Lucia. Sweden has developed many holiday traditions, many of which are still practiced today.
God Jul! (Good Yule)
Sweden has several unique holiday customs that relate to Scandinavian mythology, as well as early Christian saints. With short days and long nights, the concept of light is a central theme in many Scandinavian Christmas customs.
Advent
In Sweden, Christmas celebrations begin on the first Sunday of Advent (the four Sunday’s before Christmas). To help count down the days of Christmas, each Sunday one advent candle is lit. Children also use an Advent calendar, with Christmas symbols hidden behind small flaps or doors, to count down to December 25th.
Saint Lucia
With long winter nights and short days, it is no wonder that the celebration of Saint Lucia, the patron saint of light, is a an important part of Christmas in Sweden. On the morning of December 13th (Saint Lucia’s Day) schools, businesses and homes choose a “Lucia.” The Lucia is dressed in white robes, red ribbons and wears a crown of candles on her head.
Boys take part in the Saint Lucia celebration as well, dressed in white and wear tall caps decorated with gold stars. As part of the Saint Lucia’s Day celebration, children sing St. Lucia carols, based on a old Italian lullaby. In parts of Austria, St. Lucia is the gift bearer for girls, while Saint Nicholas is the gift bearer for boys.
Click here for more information about Saint Lucia.
Julafton (Christmas Eve)
Like many countries in Western Europe, Christmas Eve is the traditional day to exchange Christmas gifts. Christmas Day was reserved more for religious observances. A smorgasbord, or buffet, is held on midday on Christmas Eve, when families come together to celebrate. Following the Christmas Eve dinner, the candles on the Christmas tree are lit. Next, an adult will dress up as the Jultomten, Sweden’s version of Santa Clause or Saint Nicholas. The Jultomten is believed to be a little gnome who lives under the floorboards of the house and rides a goat, called Julbocker. The goat is a reference to the Scandinavian god, Thor, whose chariot was pulled by two goats. The Jultomten will hand out gifts from a sack to the children. Even though this pagan tradition was outlawed by both church and state in the middle ages, it persisted in private.
Swedish Christmas Cuisine
Swedish Christmas foods include a wide variety of dishes. One of the most popular is Lutefisk, or dried codfish. Other holiday treats include pickled pigs feet, corned beef and sausage. Risgrynsgröt is a rice porridge that is eaten at Christmas time. Inside one bowl is an almond. It was believed whoever gets the almond will marry in the coming year.
More Swedish Christmas Traditions
The Christmas tree was traditionally put up a few days before Christmas Eve. Candles, apples, Swedish flags, small gnomes with red hats and straw ornaments are all common decorations on a Swedish Christmas tree. December 26th is a day of socializing. Children’s parties are held in the afternoon, while adults parties are held later in the evening.
The Swedish Christmas season ends on January 13, Saint Knut’s Day. During this final holiday party the Christmas tree is taken down and thrown outside, while singing a special song.
Sources:
Barth, Edna. Holly, Reindeer and Colored Lights: The Story of the Christmas Symbols. New York: Clarion Books, 1971.
Lankford, Mary. Christmas Around the World. New York: Morrow Junior Books, 1995.
Mead, Margaret. An Interview with Santa Claus. New York: Walker & Company, 1978.
Wernecke, Herbert. Christmas Customs Around The World. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press.
