Søndagstur

For a thousand years in Norway, Sunday has been The Lord’s Day; a day to attend church and a day of rest.  There are laws that forbid any kind of work on the Sabbath and disturbing neighbors with such things as mowing lawns or washing cars is more than frowned upon.

But Norwegian culture is rapidly changing and going to church is becoming a thing of the past.  The new Sunday activity revolves around taking a hike up into the mountains.  They call it “Søndagstur” which translates as “Sunday’s trip” and it’s now the latest rage throughout the land.  Historically, no one would climb a mountain unless they were taking livestock up for the summer, but now they have contests to see who can run up to the highest peak the fastest. 

Many people own cabins up in the hills so on Sundays they pack up some coffee and snacks and go for a hike.  Even if they don’t own a cabin, they park themselves outside one that’s not occupied and act like they own it, using the steps or deck while they rest. 

I’ve often felt that the journey to get somewhere is more enjoyable than the final destination itself, but Norwegians don’t feel that way at all.  They speed through the hike in order to sit down at their final destination with a cup of coffee in hand.  Then they relax and enjoy several moments, maybe even hours, before they head back down in an even bigger hurry.

At the peak of each mountain there is a logbook where people write in their names for bragging rights, but also to keep track of which trails are most used.  Some areas have contests for who can climb the most peaks in a given amount of time. 

One day when I climbed a few hours up into the mountains, I wrote my name on line number 2,435.  That particular book was placed at that peak just ten weeks prior to my arrival, which goes to show just how many people had made that hike in a very short timespan.

The State Church understands Norwegians love for the mountains so several times a year, both summer and winter, they actually hold church services where they know the people will show up – in the mountains.  They gather together outside, in sunshine, rain or snow, and worship God together in the midst of His creation. 

My friend bought a T-shirt when she was visiting us in America that perfectly encapsulates her love for her native land on high.  It says, “I’d rather be in the mountains thinking about God, than being in church, thinking about the mountains.” Luckily for her, in Norway, she can do both.