Today we uncover the deep history of Christmas elves. These beings existed long before Christmas, as watchers in the winter darkness, beings who judged human behavior and protected the delicate balance between the living and the spirit world. 

And do they still??

SOURCES 

• Ármann Jakobsson, University of Iceland — “Elves in Medieval Scandinavian Lore” 

• John Lindow — Norse Mythology: A Guide to the Gods, Heroes, Rituals, and Beliefs 

• Claude Lecouteux — Encyclopedia of Norse and Germanic Folklore 

• Terry Gunnell — “The Huldufólk and the Icelandic Landscape” 

• Scandinavian Folklore Archives (Public Domain Collections)