I had no idea the dead came home on Christmas Eve, but I love the idea that my brother might have been with us once more.
In Finland the heart of Christmas traditions involve remembering the dead. For hundreds of years Finns held fast to the belief that the dead returned to be with their families at sundown on Christmas Eve. It used to be that the traditional visit to the sauna on Christmas Eve was completed by sundown, making room for the dead to enjoy their own time in the steam rooms.
During this time, families all journey to the cemeteries to visit the graves of their loved ones and light candles. An area is set aside for visitors who do not have family interred locally. Here, they are invited to light a candle for their own loved ones who have passed on. The scene is reverent and magical.
Families then return home for a lavish meal of traditional foods. There are few who still practice the old observance of setting out a meal for…
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I envy nice family, I never had that.
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I’m sorry, Jackie. That must make the holidays complicated, too.
Wishing you the best for 2014,
Loren
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This may be my last year with my father during the Holidays as his cancer is progressing. I am thankful and blessed we are on borrowed time so enjoy it!!! Thanks Loren for all the great posts. I didn’t know about this tradition it is great!!!! And Happy 2014!!!!
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This tradition makes sense to me too!
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This was so interesting to read — thank you for sharing. 🙂
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