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Monday, 5 January
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Christmas Day
by Frann LeachChristmas is a holiday celebrated in most parts of the world and by almost all branches of the Christian church, celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. It is celebrated on 25th December (but other days may be taken in addition if this day falls on a weekend). In the Orthodox Church and Rastafarian communities, Christmas is celebrated on 7th January according to the Gregorian calendar (because it is actually set according to the Julian calendar).
This date is also one of the traditional quarter days used in England, Wales and Ireland to regulate such matters as the collection of rates since the Middle Ages. The others are: Lady Day (25 March), Midsummer Day (24 June) and Michaelmas (29 September).
It's extremely unlikely that the date on which Christmas Day is celebrated is the actual anniversary of the birth of Jesus. Many believe that the date was chosen by the early church in order to obliterate the pagan festivals of Saturnalia and Yule.
The day before Christmas Day, Christmas Eve, itself is celebrated in some communities, and many otherwise non-religious people of all denominations will make a point of attending church for midnight mass to "see in" Christmas Day. The day after Christmas Day (which usually falls on 26th December) is called Boxing Day in the UK.
Religious services apart, Christmas is marked by exchanging gifts and greetings cards, and decorating streets and homes with colourful lights, streamers and Christmas trees (usually some type of conifer, or a plastic imitation of one). Traditionally families make a point of getting together for several days, often travelling long distances to do so, and eating a huge dinner on the day itself, playing games and watching television together - or the more active may go out to a pantomime or sporting event.
Christmas is associated with the mythical Santa Claus, also called Father Christmas, who is said to live at the North Pole, or in Lapland, and to be responsible for the delivery of Christmas presents to children worldwide on the night of Christmas Eve. The legend of Father Christmas seems to be based on a number of earlier tales mixed together. The rosy cheeks, enormous girth, white beard and hair, along with the red and white costume which he wears - all of which many regard as traditional - dates back to an advertising campaign by Coca-Cola during the early part of the twentieth century.
Over the years, Christmas has become increasingly commercialised, especially since the beginning of the 20th century, to the point where many regard the whole thing as distasteful. Some dislike it so much that they choose to travel to foreign parts to escape.
In many countries Christmas marks a two week holiday break for many people, as the celebrations continue right through New Year's Dayand beyond. The whole period is marked by special television and radio programmes, recordings of "seasonal" songs, sporting events, the issue of special stamps by postal authorities, special foods associated with the festivities, and the consumption of large quantities of food, alcohol and sweets.
Although essentially a Christian festival, Christmas is also sometimes celebrated by people of other faiths. This is probably the result of increasing secularisation caused by the incessant hype and glitz which surrounds the celebration.
Christmas in the 21st Century
In many countries, Christmas is a time when gifts are exchanged, families get together for a festive meal, and greetings cards (and gifts) are sent to people with whom little or no other contact takes place from year to year.
Christmas is a time when people who would otherwise never step inside a church from one year to the next may be found attending the local Carol Service or even a Midnight Mass. The singing of carols is a popular activity, with groups of singers calling from door to door to sing a verse or two (often collecting for charity).
Christmas is often seen as a time when a temporary amnesty or ceasefire ought to occur, in conformity with the message of 'Peace on earth, goodwill to all men' given by the angelic choir who announced the birth to shepherds in the fields. If a reconciliation between family members is wanted, this is seen as the best time of year to attempt to mend the rift, but the felt need to mend fences applies almost as much in international affairs as in families.
It seems incredible that plum puddings and mince pies were forbidden by the puritan Roundheads as pagan! They decreed work as usual on Christmas Day, which naturally enough caused riots, prosecutions and severe penalties. Merry Christmas as we know it disappeared until the Restoration (this probably explains the puritans' reputation as killjoys).
Festive cheer
The people of the United Kingdom and North America have largely adopted the German custom of decorating their houses with fir trees hung with lights and sparkling baubles. Other traditions include special foods, such as mince pies (filled, not with minced meat, but 'mincemeat', a spiced fruit mixture), Christmas cake, nuts, figs, dates and tangerines.
The celebration dinner is traditionally based on roast turkey, although almost any poultry or game bird may be substituted - or even a whole baked salmon or a nut roast for those who prefer not to eat meat. In many families, other roasted meats are also served. For example, I have been to a Christmas dinner, where in addition to turkey, there was also roast chicken, lamb, pork and beef! Accompaniments in the UK include bread sauce (traditional in the UK), cranberry sauce (recently adopted from the US), roast and mashed potatoes, Brussels sprouts and other vegetables, chipolatas or sausagemeat stuffing, parsley and thyme stuffing, and gravy. The traditional dessert is Christmas pudding (brought to the table flaming), served with custard, cream and/or brandy butter or rum butter.
Present time
For many people, especially children, the main attraction of Christmas is the presents. According to the traditional story, these are delivered on Christmas Eve by Father Christmas, using a magical sleigh pulled by flying reindeer. Father Christmas' name and the exact details of this tale differ from country to country, but the central focus of exchanging gifts remains. In many houses, the pile of presents at the foot of the tree can grow to huge proportions by the time Christmas Day itself comes round, when they may finally be opened.
Racking your brains for ideas for presents at this time of year can be difficult, and the shopping trip a nightmare, as hundreds of people descend on the same shops at the same time to buy the same gifts. Shopping online is a great alternative, avoiding the crowds while adding both to the choice available and to your chances of finding exactly the right present at a bargain price.
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