Post by flowerpower on Dec 24, 2008 7:30:03 GMT -5
OK I have to admit I watched the Grinch last night. It's always been my favorite of all the holiday specials. Anyone else gonna 'fess up that they watched any of them? 
lol
Santa might be makin a list and checkin' it twice. And he might leave you coal on your stocking. But here is a pretty interesting folktale that predates "santa". Enjoy!
Mother Berka (“Birch”, also called Pertcha, Bertcha) a Crone-mother goddess, common in Northern Yule mythos, rides her goat “Gnasher Skeggi". Mother Berka made the rounds to various families on Yule nights accompanied by her goat, a bundle of birch twigs, and a large sack. To those families in need she sacrificed Gnasher Skeggi to make a rich stew – but declared that none should break the bones for the marrow. Once the feast was consumed, Mother Berka placed Skeggi’s bones into her bag, gave it a shake and out came the goat, good as new. If Skeggi returned lame however, she knew that someone hadn’t listened to her warning and broke his bones, wherefore she would grab the offending person (in the stories it is usually a child), stuff them into the bag and steal them away. She was also responsible for claiming and caring kindly for unwanted and orphaned children
Here's my goat Skeggi (He didn't like the name Mike! lol) He gets extra corn today. It's gonna be a long night for him. lol
lol Santa might be makin a list and checkin' it twice. And he might leave you coal on your stocking. But here is a pretty interesting folktale that predates "santa". Enjoy!
Mother Berka (“Birch”, also called Pertcha, Bertcha) a Crone-mother goddess, common in Northern Yule mythos, rides her goat “Gnasher Skeggi". Mother Berka made the rounds to various families on Yule nights accompanied by her goat, a bundle of birch twigs, and a large sack. To those families in need she sacrificed Gnasher Skeggi to make a rich stew – but declared that none should break the bones for the marrow. Once the feast was consumed, Mother Berka placed Skeggi’s bones into her bag, gave it a shake and out came the goat, good as new. If Skeggi returned lame however, she knew that someone hadn’t listened to her warning and broke his bones, wherefore she would grab the offending person (in the stories it is usually a child), stuff them into the bag and steal them away. She was also responsible for claiming and caring kindly for unwanted and orphaned children
Here's my goat Skeggi (He didn't like the name Mike! lol) He gets extra corn today. It's gonna be a long night for him. lol