{"id":273,"date":"2023-08-26T21:18:13","date_gmt":"2023-08-27T01:18:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/positivepensees.com\/?p=273"},"modified":"2024-11-13T15:35:07","modified_gmt":"2024-11-13T20:35:07","slug":"the-gift-of-jolabokaflod","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/positivepensees\/2023\/08\/the-gift-of-jolabokaflod\/","title":{"rendered":"The Gift of J\u00f3lab\u00f3kafl\u00f3d The Christmas Book Flood"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"Christmas<\/a>
Image Courtesy of Canva Pro<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/p>

\u201cNo one has ever become poor by giving.\u201d<\/h2>\r\n

\r\n\r\n<\/h2>\r\n

Anne Frank<\/a><\/h2>\r\n

\r\n\r\n<\/h2>\r\n

J\u00f3lab\u00f3kafl\u00f3d<\/a> is something that we had the pleasure to learn about a few years ago.\u00a0 Basically, the Icelandic folks give books to their loved ones and friends on Christmas Eve so that they can spend the evening simply engaged in the act of reading. The word means \u201cChristmas book flood.\u201d Pretty amazing, right?\u00a0 The practice started during World War II when restrictions were imposed on imported giftware. The restrictions on paper were not nearly as harsh, so this birthed the tradition of giving the gift of written word. Even to this day it is considered an honor to receive a physical book, not an Ebook.\u00a0 Funny aside, one of the most popular books in Iceland is about Tractors.\u00a0 Not kidding.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

J\u00f3lab\u00f3kafl\u00f3d is an aboslutely delightful tradition<\/h3>\r\n

Since discovering this absolutely delightful tradition, our family has engaged in J\u00f3lab\u00f3kafl\u00f3d for the past several years.\u00a0 Because we are a big family, we draw names and each person is assigned a family member to give what they think the other family member would enjoy reading.\u00a0 The time, the thought and the purpose is so amazing.\u00a0 Much more than just a random material gift that you are not quite sure will be to their liking.\u00a0 While we don\u2019t have to practice J\u00f3lab\u00f3kafl\u00f3d as a Christmas tradition, we can however impart a little J\u00f3lab\u00f3kafl\u00f3d in the practice of everyday life. \u00a0<\/p>\r\n

J\u00f3lab\u00f3kafl\u00f3d can give someone some much needed cheer<\/h3>\r\n

We have an extended family member who is perpetually unhappy, he reminds me of a person that has the rain cloud that is always over them. They have no umbrella, they are soaked to the bone and do not want anyone\u2019s help. Thank you very much! We were listening to him wax poetic about how he does not want to engage with people, they are just too complicated and not worth his time.\u00a0 They should come to him!\u00a0 He is so tired of planning gatherings and putting in the work without one single word of thanks!\u00a0 While I did not mind listening and hearing their point of view, I could not help but say, \u201cHave you tried a little J\u00f3lab\u00f3kafl\u00f3d<\/a> in your life?\u00a0 He stopped and looked at me and said, \u201cJolabokawhat?!\u201d After a little laugh, I explained to him about the Icelandic tradition.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

\"Christmas<\/a>
Image Courtesy of Canva Pro<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n

This tradition can be at any time of year<\/h3>\r\n

This tradition does not have to involve books, it does not have to be near Christmas. This practice could just be a way to give to others when you are focused on the hardships and daily doldrums of life.\u00a0 That gift can be a soul salve for someone in need of a boost.\u00a0 After a few minutes of thought (and our talk about the little gifts) my dear family member said, \u201cYou are right, I am going to try it..\u201d It was then only a few days later that my family member decided to go to a neighbor who was suffering from cancer and offer to do their landscaping since they were struggling both financially and physically.\u00a0 He shared with us that this little act of helping another person made him realize just how blessed he was in his life.\u00a0 This was a delight to hear. Thoughtful acts are a wondrous gifts from heaven<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

J\u00f3lab\u00f3kafl\u00f3d can help our mood<\/h3>\r\n

We all get in a mood, we all have moments.\u00a0 It is part of the dance of life, but a little J\u00f3lab\u00f3kafl\u00f3d goes a long way.\u00a0 Also, when you receive a J\u00f3lab\u00f3kafl\u00f3d, the best action that you can do is to accept that gift graciously. One theme that keeps running over and over in my head this year has been lookin beyond self.\u00a0 There are so many people who just need a kind word of acceptance.\u00a0 That may be their book in their life.\u00a0 Some need to know that they are prayed for.\u00a0 That might be the might volume of books in their lives.\u00a0 Some may need to know that you are willing to listen.\u00a0 That may be their book set of wide wisdom. Because in the words of Aesop<\/a>, \u201cNo act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"Christmas<\/a>
Image Courtesy of Canva Pro<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n

A Little Poem about J\u00f3lab\u00f3kafl\u00f3d<\/h3>\r\n

J\u00f3lab\u00f3kafl\u00f3d, try saying that three times.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n

It is an interesting Icelandic phrase that involves an act that is indeed very kind.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n

It means Christmas book flood in English terms.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n

The practice is done on Christmas Eve and it brings great joy.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n

The Books are given to family members and friends.<\/p>\r\n

\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n

After the books are opened the reading begins.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n

The reader reads with great joy on Christmas Eve with the thoughtful gift of what their loved one perceived, their reading preferences, their love of the written word, what a great a mindful gift to show that the love of the written word.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n

Start your own J\u00f3lab\u00f3kafl\u00f3d, make it a life goal.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n

Pass on a thoughtful gift or word of gratitude, I promise you this will change your whole mood.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n

To give to someone else, to practice empathy is a wonderful gift that will change you from the inside out.\u00a0 Just wait and see.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n

Find someone who needs a little J\u00f3lab\u00f3kafl\u00f3d and give them a meaningful gift.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n

Find them and give their soul and spirit a much needed lift.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n

\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

My books are on Amazon!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The Quacktastic Adventures of Ellie and Lord Barks a Lot!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"\"<\/figure>\r\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201cNo one has ever become poor by giving.\u201d Anne Frank J\u00f3lab\u00f3kafl\u00f3d is something that we had the pleasure to learn about a few years ago.\u00a0 Basically, the Icelandic folks give books to their loved ones and friends on Christmas Eve so that they can spend the evening simply engaged in the act of reading. The […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5517,"featured_media":3196,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36,18,60,69,72,66],"tags":[540,592,595,42,598],"class_list":["post-273","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-brightsideoflife","category-devotional","category-discipline","category-meditate","category-pause","category-peace","tag-books","tag-christmas","tag-holidays","tag-joy","tag-seasonal-holidays"],"yoast_head":"\nThe Gift of J\u00f3lab\u00f3kafl\u00f3d The Christmas Book Flood<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"\u201cNo one has ever become poor by giving. \u201dAnne Frank J\u00f3lab\u00f3kafl\u00f3d is something that we had the pleasure to learn about a few years ago.\u00a0 Books\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/positivepensees\/2023\/08\/the-gift-of-jolabokaflod\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Gift of J\u00f3lab\u00f3kafl\u00f3d The Christmas Book Flood\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"\u201cNo one has ever become poor by giving. \u201dAnne Frank J\u00f3lab\u00f3kafl\u00f3d is something that we had the pleasure to learn about a few years ago.\u00a0 Books\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/positivepensees\/2023\/08\/the-gift-of-jolabokaflod\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Positive Pens\u00e9es\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:author\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Positivepensees\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2023-08-27T01:18:13+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-11-13T20:35:07+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/2208\/2023\/08\/Untitled-design-78.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"780\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Kathy King\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@katherinepensee\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Kathy King\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/positivepensees\/2023\/08\/the-gift-of-jolabokaflod\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/positivepensees\/2023\/08\/the-gift-of-jolabokaflod\/\",\"name\":\"The Gift of J\u00f3lab\u00f3kafl\u00f3d The Christmas Book Flood\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/positivepensees\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2023-08-27T01:18:13+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-11-13T20:35:07+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/positivepensees\/#\/schema\/person\/a79efb4c13222e6e99db35bd396b67bf\"},\"description\":\"\u201cNo one has ever become poor by giving. \u201dAnne Frank J\u00f3lab\u00f3kafl\u00f3d is something that we had the pleasure to learn about a few years ago.\u00a0 Books\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/positivepensees\/2023\/08\/the-gift-of-jolabokaflod\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/positivepensees\/2023\/08\/the-gift-of-jolabokaflod\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/positivepensees\/2023\/08\/the-gift-of-jolabokaflod\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/positivepensees\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"The Gift of J\u00f3lab\u00f3kafl\u00f3d The Christmas Book Flood\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/positivepensees\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/positivepensees\/\",\"name\":\"Positive Pens\u00e9es\",\"description\":\"Thoughts or Pens\u00e9es if you will; ideas, notions, beliefs, and perceptions; call them what you will but our thoughts define us.\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/positivepensees\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/positivepensees\/#\/schema\/person\/a79efb4c13222e6e99db35bd396b67bf\",\"name\":\"Kathy King\",\"description\":\"Kathy is the mother of six grown children. Five of which serve in the military. She is a trained pianist and opera singer who absolutely loves any old musical from the golden era. Kathy has written twelve children's books and her first novel, Appalachian Allegory. She is currently working on her second novel, Absence of Light. Born and raised in the South, she is very familiar with life in the church each and every time the doors opened. Covered dish dinners were plentiful, the music was the old hymns passed down for generations, and \\\"Bless your heart\\\" was uttered quite a lot. Kathy has served as a church pianist, music minister, orchestra director, and an occasional scripture teacher for her churches. Several years ago, she decided to go to a (now defunct) Bible college and become a licensed minister of the gospel. In 2024 Kathy became a Reverend through Global Outreach Ministries. Kathy's hobbies include spending time with her husband of over 25 years, reading just about anything, and singing any and every show tune.\",\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Positivepensees\/\",\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/positve_pensee\/\",\"https:\/\/pin.it\/6pG97yZtU\",\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/katherinepensee\",\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@familyking8\"],\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/positivepensees\/author\/kking\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"The Gift of J\u00f3lab\u00f3kafl\u00f3d The Christmas Book Flood","description":"\u201cNo one has ever become poor by giving. \u201dAnne Frank J\u00f3lab\u00f3kafl\u00f3d is something that we had the pleasure to learn about a few years ago.\u00a0 Books","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/positivepensees\/2023\/08\/the-gift-of-jolabokaflod\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"The Gift of J\u00f3lab\u00f3kafl\u00f3d The Christmas Book Flood","og_description":"\u201cNo one has ever become poor by giving. \u201dAnne Frank J\u00f3lab\u00f3kafl\u00f3d is something that we had the pleasure to learn about a few years ago.\u00a0 Books","og_url":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/positivepensees\/2023\/08\/the-gift-of-jolabokaflod\/","og_site_name":"Positive Pens\u00e9es","article_author":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Positivepensees\/","article_published_time":"2023-08-27T01:18:13+00:00","article_modified_time":"2024-11-13T20:35:07+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1200,"height":780,"url":"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/2208\/2023\/08\/Untitled-design-78.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Kathy King","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@katherinepensee","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Kathy King","Est. reading time":"5 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/positivepensees\/2023\/08\/the-gift-of-jolabokaflod\/","url":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/positivepensees\/2023\/08\/the-gift-of-jolabokaflod\/","name":"The Gift of J\u00f3lab\u00f3kafl\u00f3d The Christmas Book Flood","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/positivepensees\/#website"},"datePublished":"2023-08-27T01:18:13+00:00","dateModified":"2024-11-13T20:35:07+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/positivepensees\/#\/schema\/person\/a79efb4c13222e6e99db35bd396b67bf"},"description":"\u201cNo one has ever become poor by giving. \u201dAnne Frank J\u00f3lab\u00f3kafl\u00f3d is something that we had the pleasure to learn about a few years ago.\u00a0 Books","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/positivepensees\/2023\/08\/the-gift-of-jolabokaflod\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/positivepensees\/2023\/08\/the-gift-of-jolabokaflod\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/positivepensees\/2023\/08\/the-gift-of-jolabokaflod\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/positivepensees\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"The Gift of J\u00f3lab\u00f3kafl\u00f3d The Christmas Book Flood"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/positivepensees\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/positivepensees\/","name":"Positive Pens\u00e9es","description":"Thoughts or Pens\u00e9es if you will; ideas, notions, beliefs, and perceptions; call them what you will but our thoughts define us.","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/positivepensees\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/positivepensees\/#\/schema\/person\/a79efb4c13222e6e99db35bd396b67bf","name":"Kathy King","description":"Kathy is the mother of six grown children. Five of which serve in the military. She is a trained pianist and opera singer who absolutely loves any old musical from the golden era. Kathy has written twelve children's books and her first novel, Appalachian Allegory. She is currently working on her second novel, Absence of Light. Born and raised in the South, she is very familiar with life in the church each and every time the doors opened. Covered dish dinners were plentiful, the music was the old hymns passed down for generations, and \"Bless your heart\" was uttered quite a lot. Kathy has served as a church pianist, music minister, orchestra director, and an occasional scripture teacher for her churches. Several years ago, she decided to go to a (now defunct) Bible college and become a licensed minister of the gospel. In 2024 Kathy became a Reverend through Global Outreach Ministries. Kathy's hobbies include spending time with her husband of over 25 years, reading just about anything, and singing any and every show tune.","sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Positivepensees\/","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/positve_pensee\/","https:\/\/pin.it\/6pG97yZtU","https:\/\/twitter.com\/katherinepensee","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@familyking8"],"url":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/positivepensees\/author\/kking\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/positivepensees\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/273","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/positivepensees\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/positivepensees\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/positivepensees\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5517"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/positivepensees\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=273"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/positivepensees\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/273\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/positivepensees\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3196"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/positivepensees\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=273"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/positivepensees\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=273"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/positivepensees\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=273"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}