Kertasníkir, The Candle Swiper: Bringer of Light and Mischief on December 23rd

As the long Icelandic winter deepens and the Yule season reaches its peak, the final of the thirteen Yule Lads descends from the mountains. On December 23rd, just one day before Christmas Eve, Kertasníkir, known in English as The Candle Swiper, makes his appearance. His arrival marks both the end of mischief and the dawn of Christmas light.

History and Origin of Kertasníkir

In the old Icelandic sagas and folk traditions, Kertasníkir (pronounced “Ker-tas-neek-ir”) was known as one of the sons of Gryla and Leppalúði, the fearsome mountain trolls who lived high above the snowline. Like his twelve brothers, Kertasníkir crept down from the highlands during the Advent season to cause playful trouble among villagers.

But unlike the others, who stole sausages, meat, or milk, Kertasníkir had a peculiar obsession: candles. In centuries past, candles were a rare and precious commodity in Iceland. Made from tallow or scarce wax, a candle’s flame represented not only light but life, warmth, and hope in the darkest months of the year.

When Kertasníkir crept through farmhouses, his goal was simple but symbolic: to steal the light. He was a figure both feared and pitied, a creature drawn to brightness, who could not create his own.

Meaning and Symbolism

The story of Kertasníkir carries profound meaning beyond his mischievous thefts. In many Icelandic villages, his legend came to symbolize the eternal struggle between light and darkness during the long Arctic winter.

The candle he steals is not just wax and wick, it represents the fragile light of the human spirit, flickering but enduring through hardship.

As Christianity spread through Iceland, the candle took on new layers of symbolism:

• The light of Christ, shining in darkness.

• The hope of renewal, as the sun begins its slow return after the winter solstice.

• The call to kindness, as the Yule Lads gradually shifted from frightening tricksters to playful gift-bringers.

Thus, Kertasníkir’s story transformed from one of greed into one of redemption, a reminder that even in shadow, the longing for light remains holy.

Kertasníkir in Modern Times

Today, Kertasníkir is beloved across Iceland. On December 23rd, children place their shoes on the windowsill, hoping to find a small treat left by the Candle Swiper. If they’ve behaved well, he rewards them with candy or toys. If not, a small potato might appear instead, a playful nod to the old ways.

In Reykjavík and other Icelandic towns, families celebrate Þorláksmessa (St. Thorlak’s Mass) on this same night, often lighting candles and gathering to share warmth and laughter. It is a fitting evening for Kertasníkir’s visit, the night when the last darkness gives way to Christmas light.

In modern storytelling, he’s seen less as a thief and more as a guardian of the flame, a whimsical spirit reminding us to tend our inner light and share it freely.

Candle Swiper, looking for the light of Christmas

The Candle Swiper’s Lesson

Kertasníkir teaches us something timeless:

“Guard your flame, for even mischief seeks the light.”

His story asks us to remember that every flicker of kindness, every small light in the cold, can push back darkness. Whether through laughter, generosity, or faith, we all hold a candle that brightens the world.

📖 Continue the Journey, The Saga of the Yule Lads & The Saga of Belsnickel

If you’ve enjoyed exploring the tales of Iceland’s thirteen Yule Lads, you’ll love Timothy Spradlin’s enchanting books, blending Norse folklore, Christian tradition, and Tolkien-like wonder.

✨ Discover The Saga of the Yule Lads – a magical retelling of Iceland’s mischief-makers and their redemptive transformation.🎄 Explore The Saga of Belsnickel: Ulvie and the Advent of the Yule Lads – where the roots of these winter legends intertwine with the story of Ulvie, Donner, and Blitzen, and the birth of the Christmas spirit itself.

Together, these stories rekindle the magic of Old World Christmas, where every shadow hides a spark of light.

🌟 Final Thoughts

On this final night of the Yule Lad season, as candles glow and the hearth burns bright, we remember Kertasníkir, the mischievous candle thief who sought light not to hoard, but to find warmth in it.

So tonight, as you light your candles, whisper a wish for joy, peace, and the enduring glow of Christmas. The Yule Lads have come and gone, but their spirit of wonder lives on.