Some years ago I was traveling with friends in Finland and we were taken into the far northern area which is Finland's part of Lapland. The Laplanders still herd reindeer, use them to pull their sleighs, and, after a sleigh ride, took us on a walking tour of a delightful little village where Santa and several of his helpers live, at least part of every year.
One thing I remember distinctly when we visited Santa at his house in Lapland was the big bed in Santa's bedroom, because it had two huge black swans carved one on either corner at the foot of the bed.
As it happens, our youngest granddaughter is dancing in "The Nutcracker" in Milwaukee this year. We will be seeing her performance in just a few days. She is dancing the part of a black swan.
Being curious about what makes black swans so special, I've done a little research. The only thing that I've found that seems to have anything to do with Santa and Christmas is that black swans symbolize a "rare and wonderful surprise." That sounds like the essence of Christmas on so many levels.
Now I'm wondering if the famous "seven swans a swimming" were black swans???
When we get to Milwaukee I will ask our granddaughter what she knows about black swans and what they have to do with Christmas.
Meanwhile, enjoy the season everyone.
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