From mythic memories to tree ornaments

The ancient julebukk lives on in contemporary Norwegian celebrations Judith Gabriel Vinje Los Angeles One of the many time-honored elements that are brought to life—or at least out of storage—at Christmas in Norway is the Christmas goat, the julebukk. Its origins have an ancient and somewhat mysterious history. And it’s not all about merriment and festivity. Norwegians have incorporated a goat into the winter holidays for centuries, in one form or another. It has been the bearer of gifts, an evil spy, a masquerade spoof, and, most recently, a plethora of straw ornaments on the Christmas tree. The goat has been the object of ritual sacrifice, it plays a role in Norse myth as well as the Old Testame