by Emil, age 8, writes to Santa from Oslo, Norway, and asks how does santa fit down the chimney?
Dear Santa,
My name is Emil, and I am 8 years old. I live in Oslo, Norway, where his class ice skates on the harbor every single winter as soon as it freezes solid enough.
Dear Emil, that is exactly the sort of detail I like to hear about Oslo. It tells me you are paying close attention to the world around you, which is a fine habit to keep. Please keep noticing things like that.
Santa, I have three questions. First, how does Santa fit down the chimney? My mom and I were arguing about it at breakfast.
Practice, mostly, along with a bit of old magic that lets the chimney widen just enough right when I need it to. Between you and me, the cookies help motivate the squeeze.
Second, my teacher was telling us about the Oslofjord, the long fjord that stretches from the city out toward the sea. Do you fly over that on your Christmas Eve route?
Every single year, without fail. The oslofjord, the long fjord that stretches from the city out toward the sea is one of the sights the reindeer look forward to most, and I always tell the newer reindeer to watch closely as we pass over, because there are not many views in the whole wide world quite like it. Rudolph tends to slow down just a little right there, and I have learned not to rush him.
Third, is it true that in Norway? My family was talking about it and I want to know if it is real.
It certainly is true. In norway, a tradition called julebord brings coworkers and friends together for holiday parties throughout the whole month of december. I think that is a wonderful thing for a family to talk about, because customs like that are exactly what make Norway feel like Norway, and they are precisely the sort of thing that keeps a community close together, especially in the winter months.
Thank you for your letter and your good questions, Emil. Keep noticing the world around you, keep asking honest questions, and keep being kind to the people in Oslo. That is the whole spirit of Christmas right there. Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Emil
Oslo, Norway
P.S. Does Julenissen ever visit Oslo too, or is that only your job?
We split the map fairly evenly, and Julenissen handles that part of the world beautifully. Consider it a very old and very friendly arrangement.
