Childhood Christmas memories from northern Norway
In my childhood, at the turn of the twentieth century, life felt simple. And the small joys of Christmas lifted our spirits — and delivered us safely into the new year.
This post is based on childhood memories by Othilie Johnsen, born in 1894 in Kiby, Finnmark, Thomas Johansen, born in 1883 in Kvalnes, Nordland, and Mimmi Benjaminsen, born in 1894 in Værøy, Nordland — all from northern Norway, and collected in the 1960s. The text is written in the first person to represent the lives of our ancestors.
We were rich in other ways
I have happy memories of my childhood. We didn’t have much in the way of gold or riches, but I can’t say that we ever felt poor. As long as we had food on the table and clothes to keep us warm, we were happy and felt blessed.
My parents were honest and hardworking, and I admire them for their life’s work. In my eyes, there was nothing they could not do, and with their own hands they created almost everything we owned.
Christmas
Christmas was an exciting time for us children. Outside it was dark and cold, but inside our simple home there was light, both from the fire and in a spiritual sense.
The weeks leading up to the big day were full of hustle and bustle. There was lots of activity all year round, but Christmas came with something special. It was like a rush that carried us through the darkest days of winter — and delivered us safely into the new year.
