DECK THE HOLIDAY'S

   In Norway,  Christmas festivities start on the last Sunday in November, or the last Sunday that ends up the 4th Sunday before the 24th.    Almost everyone has a four armed chandelier with 4 candles in it.  Every Sunday a candle is lit, while they say a little verse as they light it.  This is what really gets Norwegians into the Christmas spirit early.    From December 1st to the 24th, there are Christmas calendars on the t.v.  These shows have 24 episodes, and there are shows for both children and adults.  Every day leading up to Christmas, another space in the calendar is opened as another episode airs.  The finale happens on December 24th, Christmas day.     On the 23rd, the Christmas tree is brought in and gets decorated.  The presents are then put in front of the tree for opening the following day.  A stocking is hung up for the kids as they wake up on the 24th, and usually they also ge...

   Why is Rudolph's nose red???     It's no wonder Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer is the most famous member of Santa's team...on top of being a skilled flyer, his nose, as his name suggests, glows bright red.  This unusual variation on the reindeer nasal prominence could have all kinds of benefits, the most important of which would involve guiding Santa's sleigh.    According to folklore, if the weather's ever bad on Christmas Eve, Santa's cleared for flight by the FAA, for that matter...thanks to the brightness of Rudolph's nose.    But how does Rudolph's nose actually work?  How could one reindeer create a light bright enough to lead a sleigh through darkness and inclement weather?  And how could a reindeer actually develop a red nose?    Although no one may ever know for sure just how Rudolph got his unusual nose, I have what could be the most logical explanation for how the doe-eyed deer guides Santa's sleig...

   Imagine a white robed angel whose face is delicately hidden by a veil, held in place by a jeweled crown, walking into your families Christmas gift exchange.  The glow of the candles on the tree enshroud his form with a beautiful orange glow, as he enters and hands out presents from the basket held by his child helpers.  A bit different from a traditional American Santa stories, this Swiss traditional story of the Christkindli is a well-known tradition in Switzerland.  Most Swiss children eagerly await the arrival of the Christ Child in his reindeer drawn sleigh to come bearing gifts for everyone.    For the week preceding Christmas, kids in Switzerland dress up and visit others bearing small gifts.  Bell ringing competitions between villages to call people to midnight mass have become common traditions, as have the gathering after the service for families to share giant homemade donuts (ringli) and hot chocolate.    Because ...