Advent Calendar December 20th

Feeding the Birds

In Norway, Sweden and Denmark sheaves of oats – julenek – are often on sale alongside Christmas trees. In the past farmers believed that if they fed the birds in midwinter when they needed it the most, they would spare their crops the following year. How the birds responded to the gift could also predict what kind of harvest they could expect. It was a good sign if many flocked to the feast, but if few birds came and ate only a little it meant that a bad harvest was in store and rural communities would starve.

The first written reference to the Christmas tradition is in 1753, when a prominent clergyman, Erik Pontappidan, described it as the “Norwegian peasant’s hospitality extending to the birds which he invites to be his guests by placing an unthreshed sheaf of grain on a pole against the barn door.”

Julenek is probably much older and in the 18th century it was denounced as a pagan custom by the church, but it has remained popular and is seen as being symbolic of the kindness and charity that should be the focus of Christmas.

Picture credits:
Juleskikk by Adolf Tidemand (1814-1876) National Gallery, Oslo, Norway. 
Norwegian Christmas Card National Library of Norway