New Christmas Tradition

Last Christmas we were introduced to an Icelandic Christmas tradition in several homes we visited. It consisted of a wreath with four candles on it. Beginning the forth Sunday before Christmas the first candle is lit and each Sunday an additional candle is lit and then on Christmas Day all four candles are lit again. We discovered the tradition varied from family to family depending on where their ancestors came from (not all Icelanders are descended from Vikings). The symbolism of the wreath and candles we most often heard was the first candle is called the prophet's candle and is meant to signify the hope of Jesus' coming. The second is called the Bethlehem candle in honor of the city of Christ's birth. The third candle is the shepherds' candle. The final candle is the angels' candle, symbolising the angelic proclamation of joy at Christ's birth. The accumulation of light each Sunday as an additional candle is lit is an expression of the growing anticipation of the birth of Jesus Christ, who is the light of the world. The circular wreath represents God's eternity and unity. Evergreens are a symbol of enduring life.

The Nativity is the continuation of our tradition of putting up a Nativity every year since our first Christmas in Okinawa in 1968.

We are OH so happy it is in the 50´s in Iceland

We have been hearing lots of complaints about the cold back home so we thought we would let you all know it is 51 degrees today and has been in the upper 40´s for several days. Of course with those temperatures it has been raining most of the time and our river that was shrinking day by day (the dark part of the river shows the rocks just below the surface we normally do not see) is back up to full flow again. We hate to think how much snow we would have if the weather was cold so of course we are indeed very grateful for global warming (if that is truly what it is since many of the Icelanders tell us of a time when there was no ice on Iceland - must have been warm then).

Yesterday we took the Elders to the port to take the ferry to the Westmann Islands. We felt bad for them for two reasons - (1) the constant rain they would be out in while in the Westmann Islands and (2) the rough trip they were going to have. As I went into the terminal to buy their tickets, I could barely stand up because of the high winds and the waves looked ferocious. The picture was taken at the bottom of the stairs leading up to the gangway. The wind was so bad that it added almost 2 hours to the normal 2 hour and 45 minute trip. They survived it though without getting sick as they were dealing with head winds rather than the normal winds from the side.

Singing for our Dinner

Last night Sister Maria Rosinkarsdóttir invited the Elders in Reykjavík to enjoy dinner with her and her grand-daughter and to then present a Christmas program using the Book of Mormon and Bible to tell the Christmas story along with Christmas carols for her daughter's family and then her son's family. We are not sure if the Elders extended the invitation to us because they needed Sister Bremner's voice (it was an absolute necessity with this group of singers) or because Sister Maria invited us for Sister Bremner's voice. Sister Maria speaks no English so we do not know the whole story. Another surprise was I was asked to say the blessing on the food and also the prayers at each of the homes (which of course had to be in English as my Icelandic prayers are very limited). Sister Maria (the only member of the Church in her family) is the sweetest lady who is trying to help her family feel the Spirit and joy she has found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The meal was a feast which the Elders thoroughly enjoyed. We did too as it was very delicious with great variety.

Do You Have Room for the Savior?

Would You Believe!

Here we are in Iceland not far from the North Pole. Last Sunday we went to Church in the snow and by the time it was over we had 24" of snow. I taught a lesson in our joint Priesthood/Relief Society meeting on service and it worked out great because the YM had an opportunity to serve digging around all the cars so the members could get into them. With that much snow and no snow plows out it was difficult to get home and by the time we got to our parking place the car could not push anymore snow. I had to dig out the 24" of snow in our parking place and out from under the car so I could get it parked. For the next several days it just kept blowing and twice a day I had to dig out our walk way until I had a 6' pile of snow.

Yesterday it started warming up and melted much of the snow. Today it was 42 degrees and there isn´t much more than ice left. December in Iceland - 42 degrees and no snow - who would believe!

Delicious Lunch Foiled

Today was supposed to be District Meeting here in Selfoss. Sister Bremner decided she would provide a simple lunch - hum simple? It started 3 days ago with soaking the yellow split peas for 24 hours, then boiling the salted lamb to separate from the bone and fat. After the 24 hours you add the peas to the lamb and cook for another 12 hours or so. She had earlier made Icelandic leaf bread that stores for weeks but that was not enough. She needed bran muffins and then instead of the simple brownies for dessert she decide to make two pies just before we were do to leave for Reykjavík for the evening. The berry pie was done just as we left. We got home last night at midnight and she then made the apple pie. This morning we got up to continue cooking the soup as it was still not quite ready. Then we got the call - illness struck and the meeting had to be canceled. Well the soup will do fine until Monday but the pies and muffins had to go in the freezer. Oh how I was looking forward to that delicious simple lunch especially the apple pie.

Mother Died as in Motherboard or Our Computer

For over a month I have been challenged by the behavior of our computer. It kept giving up little by little until we finally took it in and found out the motherboard died. Trying to figure out what to do with the high cost of repair - almost what we paid for our computer - we decided to have an old one from home sent to us. Until it arrives we are now trying to post again with an old desk top that works most of the time.

Yesterday however we used our Preparation Day and treated our two Elders to a Christmas Concert. Here is the announcement - "One of Iceland’s most beloved tenors, Gardar Cortes, will perform in two concerts, singing international Christmas carols accompanied by Swedish pianist Robert Sund, at Reykjavík Art Museum – Kjarvalsstadir on December 2 and 3.

Cortes and Sund first performed at a Christmas concert in cooperation with the Reykjavík Art Museum last year. The concert proved so successful that it has now become an annual event.

Cortes and Sund have worked together since 1980 and have released three joint albums.

At Kjarvalsstadir they will perform their greatest hits with emphasis on Icelandic and international Christmas songs.

We were somewhat surprised that the soloist sat but what a voice and the pianist was fantastic playing most of the songs with out music or at least looking at it. He paid more attention to the soloist than his music. Gardar Cortes had his son sing one song with him which was very beautiful - the video does not do them justice. The entire concert was a very enjoyable and a great way to start our Christmas.