First Posted 24 Dec 2011
Like most things, Christmas is a mixture of cultures, ideas and beliefs. The modern Christmas in the UK is a blend of old Norse and secular traditions, pagan solstice, imported foods and a celebration of the “birth” of Jesus.
Literally Christmas is ‘Christ’s Mass’ and the first recorded use of this word was in 1038, it is a religious and cultural celebration. Over a billion people recognise Christmas. In many in countries it is a civil holiday, some where there is only a very small Christian population. In reality, Christmas is many things to many people.
Christmas closes the advent season, the 24 days leading up to Christmas, and initiates the 12 days of Christmas (Fiiiiive Gooooolllld Riiiings). This time is dedicated to rest and relaxation, of feasting and families, of over-indulgence and over-spending. The giving and receiving of gifts, and of catching up with family and friends.
Undeniably Christmas can also be a stressful time. The expectations that people place on themselves and others can make the 2 weeks over Christmas and New Year tense, liable to flare up and can be the cause of many arguments.
But let’s back up. Jesus was born on the 25th December, and that’s what Christmas is celebrating right.
Firstly the birth date of Jesus seems to cause some controversy. Was Jesus born of December 25th? Or January 6th, 7th or 19th as is celebrated in some countries. Unsurprisingly there are arguments for and against each of these. Some say it’s 9 months after the celebrated ‘Conception’ of Jesus, the Romans and many before them celebrated the winter solstice, or was it a happy coincidence that made it align with a then popular pagan festival.
Recently a newspaper reported that July was more fitting for the birth of Jesus, as research shows that approximately 2000 years ago Venus and Jupiter were aligned and would have appeared as a very bright star.
Historians place Jesus’ birth between 7 and 2 BC, but really it is unknown. Meddling with the calendar and the lack of birth certificates from the time make dating the birth of Jesus quite difficult.
It is reported that in the 4th century, the Western Christian Church first placed Christmas on December 25th, a date that was later adopted by the east, and not adopted by countries that still observe the Julian calendar. But really, if in 2000 years time over a billion people were celebrating my birthday I think I’d forgive them for getting the date wrong. I’m nice like that, and I think Jesus was a nice guy too.
December does seem like a sensible and practical time to celebrate, especially in the high latitudes of northern Europe. The days are short and cold and the majority of people, until very recently were employed in agriculture. The winter would have been an ideal time for a bit of time off and a knees up.
In the middle ages if you wanted people to celebrate something, it needed to be at a sensible time of the year. If you put it at a time when the farmers are harvesting, or there’s lambing there would have been little chance that anyone would able to go to church. Religious organisations were and still are very powerful organisations. But even they couldn’t fight the need for the normal person to put food on the table. It seems likely to me that the Christian church couldn’t help themselves and cashed in on a great opportunity to merge their celebrations with a preexisting event. So that’s the date sorted, but why do we have turkey, trees and twinkling lights?
Symbolism is heavy in Christmas traditions. Many are drawn from the ideas, beliefs and celebrations that have been around for many thousands of years, and some are fashions, or inspired by the rich and famous. In my opinion the modern Christmas is a celebratory twin to fusion cooking. Take the flavours you like from other areas, add in some fashionable ingredients and hey presto, you’ve got yourself a modern Christmas.
But what about ever-green trees, decorated with angels, stars, and other Christian imagery. The tree itself is interesting. Eighth century biographer Æddi Stephanus wrote that the fir tree first became part of Christian tradition when Saint Boniface took an axe to a sacred oak tree dedicated to Thor, chopped it down and declared that a fir tree is much more fitting as it points to heaven and due to its triangular shape, symbolic of the holy trinity. Meanwhile the evergreen nature of a number of plants was symbolic to pagan solstice celebrations, and midwinter festivals.
Holly, mistletoe, bay and ivy are all evergreen plants along with fir trees that would have been taken into homes during the darkest part of the year to symbolise the coming of spring. In Christianity, green represents eternal life. Interestingly, the Holly leaves that we use as a Christmas decoration are supposed to represent the crown of thorns that Jesus wore on the cross, but also it is said that it was seen as protection against Pagans and Witches. The Holly goes full circle.
For me the consumer side of the modern Christmas is scary and stressful. For most businesses and retailers it is a key sales period, and the economic impact of Christmas has steadily grown over the past few centuries in many regions of the world. In the current economic situation, sales will be watched and every penny spent will be analysed.
The shopping frenzy takes hold of many people. Like zombies queuing at the supermarket, trolleys loaded with items that will undoubtedly end up being thrown away, or forgotten at the back of the cupboard. Bulk buying when most shops will only be closed for ONE day, it is over-consumption and it isn’t sustainable.
Christmas should be a good and pure time of year; devoted to family, friends, kindness and love. Not gift sets, Quality Street and fights over the remote control. It shouldn’t be a massive argument, or a struggle to conform. If it stresses you out, take a step back and think. Do something different next time. To quote a very wise man, Christmas is ‘A time to rejoice in the good that we see’.
Happy Christmas.
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EasterlyMoves 