Christmas for the birds

Julenek
December 7th

This picture is so very Scandinavian.
Bundles of wheat ready for the birds. 
From the photos of @tgd_75

There is a very old Norwegian and Swedish tradition of feeding the birds at Christmas called the 'julenek' loosley translated as a Christmas Sheaf, basically meaning a bundle of wheat.  In years gone by this was the task of the farmer's wife and children to make the bundles to sell to households.  Everyone bought one and saved their pennies to ensure they had one on their homstead.  The thinking was that if you placed the wheat two or three days before Christmas somewhere on your land, either tied to a post, around a tree trunk, on the roof or even on the fence then the birds would eat this food and keep out of the barn where the harvest was stored.  It was said that the farmer would go out just before sunset 'julaften' (Christmas Eve) and would look to see if birds were eating the food.  If there were many swallows around the julenek,  it was thought that a good omen for the year ahead  and the crops would have a bountiful yield.  Farmers also ensured that all the animals were given extra food at Christmas as well as the birds being given the julenek so that everyone could celebrate the birth of Jesus.

With the expanse of the population and many migrating to towns the tradition though diminishing is however still quite stong and the bundles of wheat are still a common  and welcoming sight mid winter.  Even town dwellers are not adverse to putting out their Christmas wheat.  Below are a selection of  images from Norway that I have found to show you, none are my own unfortunately but I have credited where they have come from.

A Norwegian living in America continues
the tradition image from Sweet Paul

Julenek for sale at the local garden centre,
photo taken from the IG account of Wadahl

The birds in the town appreciate this good will
gesture also.  Photo from IG account Fremmersvik

Julenek are usually tied togerther with red ribbon as
shown here.  Photo from IG account Hildesimensen

A very typical farm house in Norway. 
Photo from IG account Sondreveholtgard

Even in the towns they still hang out the julenek. 
Photo from the IG account of Turbolotte

Again not my photo but I have lost the details
for who this belongs to.  Apologies.   
I remember winter's of my youth the
snow being very deep and this just
reminds me so much of that.

The Julenek (Christmas Sheaf)

Far over in Norway’s distant realm,

That land of ice and snow,

Where the winter nights are long and drear,

And the north winds fiercely blow,

From many a low-thatched cottage roof,

On Christmas eve, ’tis said,

A sheaf of grain (julenek) is hung on high,

To feed the birds o’erhead.

In years gone by, on Christmas eve,

When the day was nearly o’er,

Two desolate, starving birds flew past

A humble peasant’s door.

“Look! Look!” cried one, with joyful voice

And a piping tone of glee:

“In that sheaf there is plenteous food and cheer,

And the peasant had but three.

One he hath given to us for food,

And he hath but two for bread,

But he gave it with smiles and blessings,

‘For the Christ-child’s sake,’ he said.”

Anonymous Norwegian poem

♥  Do you leave bird food out in the winter time?