Christmas as a holiday period was instituted and celebrated at about the same
time as other winter solstice festivities, because church leaders at the time
believed that would make more people participate in the new holiday period. That
objective was achieved, but people also carried over some pagan celebrations and
traditions into the religious Christmas celebrations.
As an example, people would attend church and then take part in a raucous,
drunken, and carnival-like celebration that has some similarities to Mardi Gras.
During this celebration every year, there would be a crowning of a beggar or
student as the ‘lord of misrule.’ Those taking part in the activities would
pretend to be loyal subjects to the ‘lord of misrule.’ During this time, some of
the poor would also visit the rich in their houses and ask for some of their
best food and drink. Those among the rich who didn’t cooperate would be subject
to rowdy behavior and mischief by the poor. For their part, the rich used
Christmas as the time when they would reach out to the poorer members of society
by tolerating them in such visits or by leaving out food and clothing for them.
For many centuries before the birth of Christ and the recognition of Christmas,
there had always been celebrations in many countries during the middle of
winter. During the darkest days of winter for example, the early Europeans were
said to celebrate light and birth. The winter solstice was a period of rejoicing
for many people because it meant that the worst part of winter was over and they
could therefore look forward to having days that were longer with more hours of
sunlight.
In that tradition, the Norse peoples in Scandinavia would celebrate a period of
Yule from Dec. 21, which was the winter solstice or start of winter, through
January. To recognize the re-emergence of the sun, fathers and their sons would
take large logs home and set them on fire. There would then be a big feast until
the log was completely burned out. That could take as much as 12 days to happen.
The custom was also one of hope for the Norse because there was the belief among
them that every spark from the fire represented a new pig or calf that would be
born in the New Year.
Many parts of Europe also thought that the end of December was a perfect time to
celebrate because during that time, a lot of cattle would be killed to avoid
having to feed them during winter. For many people, the end of December was the
only time during the year when they had a significant amount of fresh meat. By
that time of year, also, wine and beer that was made earlier in the year would
have fermented and be finally ready for drinking.
The tradition of Santa Claus has also been an ancient legend with slight
differences or variations in olden days, from the 1700s in some countries. In
Germany and Switzerland, children who were well behaved would receive a Christmas
present from Christkind or Kris Kringle. Christkind, which means Christ child,
was believed to be an angel-like figure that went along with St. Nicholas on his
holiday journeys to deliver gifts.
A jolly elf by the name of Jultomten was believed to deliver presents in
Scandinavia in a sleigh that was pulled by goats. And in France, Pere Noel is
the one who fills the shoes of French children with Christmas gifts, sweets or
treats at Christmas time.
In Russia, there’s a legend that Babouschka was an elderly woman who gave
incorrect directions to Bethlehem to the three Wise Men so that they wouldn’t
find Jesus. She later felt sorry for doing so, but couldn’t find the Wise Men to
tell them about the error. Today in Russia, it is believed that on Jan. 5, the
day before the Epiphany or Three Kings Day, Babouschka visits Russian children
and leaves presents by their bedsides in the hope that one of the children will
be Baby Jesus and will forgive her.
Merry Christmas Granmother
xoxox
Yuletide Breakfast In a Package
Ingredients:
1 pound bulk pork sausage, cooked and crumbled
1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
2 (9-inch) unbaked pastry shells
6 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup milk
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/3 cup chopped sweet red pepper
1/3 cup chopped green pepper
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place cooked, crumbled sausage in a large mixing bowl. Fold in both cheeses. Place one pie shell in a pie plate. Place half the sausage mixture in the pie shell. Place the other pie shell in a pie plate. Pour the rest of the sausage mixture in the shell. Whisk eggs, milk, onion, and both peppers in a separate bowl, making sure eggs are blended in well. Pour half the egg mixture over the first pie shell and mixture. Pour the rest of the egg mixture over the other pie shell. Bake for one hour or until a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting and serving.
