Between December 20th and 25th, there was a Norse Pagan festival celebrated each year that likely looks very similar to a popular Holiday we celebrate called Christmas. In fact, this pagan holiday is termed “Jul” and commemorates that Christmas season in Scandinavian countries and parts of Scotland.
This holiday included commemorative fires, decorating with holly, mistletoe, and displays of evergreen trees, feasts, and gift-giving. Sound familiar?
Yule was a holiday which celebrated the Norse god Odin and the coming of the sun following the winter solstice. Which by the way, during this Norse season, a member of the community would dress up as “old man winter” and travel around communities celebrating sometimes by gift-giving.
Once again I ask. Sound familiar?
Viking and Germanic tribes had unique customs that would seem very foreign to us but as Christianity moved northward, their culture gradually began to favor the God of Israel over the “gods” on their mantels. But this change wasn’t instant. In reading Norse mythology, you will notice that there is overlap between themes such as resurrection, Armageddon, and the battle between good and evil.
The culture shifted, year by year, decade by decade as these tribes began to see the beauty of the Grace message over the dread of war-driven gods who value death over life. In fact, this shift is what ended the “Viking Age.” These fierce warriors did not die out. The transformed. Nonetheless it took centuries.
The point I would like to make of this phenomena such a drastic shift that essentially shaped our culture, language, and traditions did not happen overnight.
It took time. Lives were lost in the midst of it all. But beginning with one willing missionary, history shifted (1 Corinthians 2:1-5). History shifted for God’s glory and a people known for their depravity had there entire identity transformed in favor of goodness and grace (Ephesians 2:8-10).
This is what the Gospel can do (Romans 12:1-2). It is light in the darkness (John 1:4-9). It is life which conquers death (1 Corinthians 15). It is the reason for the season!
Yule never regret believing the Good News of Jesus Christ!
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