Spiritus Iesu Christi (The Spirit of Christmas)

Of all the feasts in the Christian calendar, Christmas is probably the most well known and loved. For Christians it is a time full of joy, for the birth of Jesus and hope and peace in the world. Born in a stable and worshipped by the local Shepherds and the Magi alike, the message was, and is that our Saviour is for all mankind, regardless of who you are.

As you can imagine, there is no concrete evidence that Jesus was born on 25th December, in fact far from it. Mid-December was originally a time of celebration for the pagan festival of Saturnalia. The whole subject has been poured over and dissected by scholars who seem to agree that the celebration of Christmas has sprung from ancient heathen customs. The Winter Solstice was also celebrated in Nordic countries as the shortest day signifies a turning point in the year, when the days will slowly get lighter, and the warmth of the sun will heat the soil and bring forth a new growing season. Animals would be slaughtered to save feeding them through the winter months and beer that would have been brewed in the autumn would be brought out and the feasting would begin.

Other observations around the date include the fact that it would be winter time, and Bethlehem would be far too cold for shepherds to be out with their flocks; and nobody would conduct a census at that time of year knowing that travellers might camp out. As for the star, it is thought to have been a comet and the Ethiopians are convinced that the Magi hailed from their country and nobody is sure if there were three or more sages involved. But despite the academics scepticism, the story has endured and been taken to our hearts.

Christmas as such is hardly mentioned over the centuries, and although there is a reference to the Roman Emperor Constantine celebrating the event in the fourth century, it was not an official occasion. In 1223 a re-enactment of the Nativity took place in a cave in Italy performed by St Francis of Assisi and his followers who wanted to remind people of the humble beginnings of our Lord. Wooden figures were used to tell the story, which was so popular that it became an annual event with people taking part. Nowadays we associate a Nativity play with primary school children who often perform it at a school assembly or in church. Having said that, I was 14 and at secondary school when I performed as a (blacked-up) Balthazar in my very first Nativity play.

The four weeks of Advent starting in late November mark the beginning of the Christmas season. In Latin the word means ‘coming’ hence it is a time of preparation for the coming of Christ. In some places this can take the form of a Fast, so that the mind can concentrate on preparation. German protestants of the 19th century would chalk 24 marks on a wall or a post which were then rubbed off, one each day as a countdown to Christmas. I wonder if this is what led to another, more modern tradition, that of the Advent calendar which has little paper doors to open daily each revealing a biblical picture until finally the nativity can be seen. The first known Advent calendar to be produced in the UK was in 1956 and although originally pictures were used, I think far more are now sold with chocolate behind the doors.

But it’s not all calendars and chocolates. The Swedes put out 24 little candles, one to be lit each day yet in other places it will be one large candle marked so that once lit the candle will be snuffed when it reaches the appropriate level. The lighting of candles reminds me of Christingle. This was a custom started by the congregations of the Moravian Church in 18th century Germany. On Christmas Eve, or the Sunday before Christmas day, children at the service would be given a candle with a red ribbon tied around it to represent Jesus as the light of the world. It is thought that the word Christingle is a mash of words, but whatever its origins the idea took off and was spread by missionaries around the world, being slowly popularised in the UK in the latter half of the 20th century.

I am very fond of Christmas Carols, they put me in a very happy mood especially when I come across a Salvation Army band in the street and in fact the word Carol means a song of praise or joy. Early mentions of Christmas Carols include ‘Angel’s Hymn’ from 192 AD and another written in 760 AD, but songs in Latin were not that popular and by the Middle Ages most people did not even celebrate Christmas. It was St Francis and his Nativity plays that revived interest and, as with many traditions, the idea was welcomed and spread, and soon Carols were being written in the language of the people. But the Protestants of the 17th century put a stop to all of that. Christmas went underground and Carols were only sung privately at home until the Victorian era. By that time people were more interested in singing in a choir and Carols both new and old began to be sung at church services, or at a gathering in the street, with a candlelight service being a very special occasion.

Christmas trees have evolved mainly through their association with the Mystery Plays. These were enacted throughout the Holy Roman Empire as a means of taking the story to people who couldn’t read. The players, would parade round a town, drumming up an audience and carrying a Paradise tree, made of wood and decorated with apples which signified the story of Adam and Eve. Gradually more decorations were added as time went on, and people would try and re-create something smaller but similar at home.

Once again there is a nod to pagan customs as greenery would be taken into the home during the Saturnalia celebrations. It is also known that in Poland a small tree would be suspended from the ceiling during the winter festival of Koliada. The branches were decorated with apples, nuts, acorns and stars made of straw, and this was done to bring a good harvest and prosperity in the coming year. There are all sorts of myths and legends about why and how the fir tree was chosen but 15th century Riga in Latvia claim to have the first decorated tree which was placed in the square outside the Town Hall after a parade at the end of the festivities.

Trees began to be fashionable in the homes of Protestant middle class Germans in the 16th century and by the 19th century aristocratic families and royalty had followed suit. I had always thought that decorated trees were introduced into Britain during Queen Victoria’s reign, but it was actually Queen Charlotte who had a tree installed at a party given for children in 1800. Victoria loved the trees as a child and established a royal tradition after her marriage to Albert. Of course what the royal couple did was soon followed by anybody who wanted to be anybody. Interestingly enough, there is no mention of a Christmas Tree in Charles Dickens ‘A Christmas Carol’, but as with all of his novels, it is a social record and excellent portrayal of life in Victorian Britain.

I wonder what your Christmas tree will be like? Will it be huge, filling the front window or hall and covered with baubles, tinsel and lights. Filling the air with the scent of pine and the floor with thousands of needles that will still be lurking at Easter time. Or will it be small and dainty with a fairy on top. Some people have two or more trees, and some of the artificial ones have led lights that flash and change colour. And who can forget the giant tree that is sent from Norway every year to grace Trafalgar Square. A tradition which began as a token of gratitude to the UK for our support during the Second World War.

The other greenery we associate with Christmas is Holly, Ivy, and Mistletoe and each has their story. The Holly berry represents the blood of Christ whilst the prickles are the for the Crown of Thorns. Ivy is our need to be close to God for support and comfort whilst Mistletoe has a more heathen background. Mistletoe was brought into the house to bring good luck and the Vikings believed that it was a symbol of love and friendship. As for kissing under the Mistletoe, that seems to go back to the ancient Greeks and Romans and the Saturnalia festivities. Any old excuse.

The very first Christmas card is believed to have been received by King James I in 1611. It was in triptych form with a rose depicted in the centre panel and written with messages and poems. What other messages were given in the following centuries we may never know about, but what we do know is that the exchange of Christmas cards started in 1843 when a very enterprising man, Sir Henry Cole got an artist friend to create a design. The card was also in the form of a triptych and was rather expensive at one shilling a pop, which limited the sales to 1000. But as with all of these ideas, if people like them they become popular and before you know it you have yet another tradition associated with Christmas. This just happens to be one of my favourites. I love writing my cards and thinking of the individuals that they are being sent to, and I love receiving them. When they come down after Christmas, I spend time looking through them and once again thinking about the sender.

I’m beginning to discover that Christmas is as much about culture as it is about religion. The (wealthy) Tudors semi-fasted in the run up to Christmas then ate themselves silly with a Boar’s Head being pride of place at the feast. Goose, Chicken, Ducks or Swans were eaten by the clergy as the white meat was thought to be less potent. Frumenty was eaten, with added dried fruits and spices and this is the fore-runner of our Christmas pud. When the Puritans came along they were appalled at this degree of wastefulness and banned Christmas for a twenty year period until King Charles took the throne and restored the celebrations. Then came the Georgians who once again laid everything on the table for people to help themselves. They also enjoyed sweet stuff such as jellies, blancmanges and a favourite pastry, mince pies.

The period that really encapsulated Christmas was the Victorian era. Not only inventing the Christmas card, but also Crackers, icing the fruit cake, putting up a Christmas tree and decorations and playing Parlour Games. The giving of presents became less symbolic of the gifts brought by the Three Wise Men and more about the tradition, and whilst there were more shops to buy goods from, most people would make something to give to their nearest and dearest. I think it’s fair to say that Christmas now is more of a marketing opportunity, starting sometime at the beginning of November, getting children excited and charging the atmosphere completely out of proportion, but some of us do try keep it in perspective and enjoy getting together and spending Christmas with our families without all of the awful commercialism attached.

We now have a host of other traditions unrelated to the birth of Christ. St Nicholas or Father Christmas was a benefactor who was taken to people’s hearts. Stir-up Sunday is on the Sunday before Advent when the thirteen ingredients for the Christmas pudding should be stirred with a wooden spoon from East to West to honour the Wise Men. Boxing Day which originated in the UK around the 17th century and is variously thought to be associated with giving money to the poor from the church Alms boxes, and apprentices and tradesmen receiving a Christmas box for their service during the year. The Pantomime with the Dame being traditionally played by a man. A desperate desire for it to snow and provide a white Christmas; and the symbolic Poinsettias sold in their thousands at this time of year.

Christmas Eve is a very important day in many countries around the world, and especially in Europe. It is on Christmas Eve that people in Germany, Slovakia and Serbia bring their trees into the house and decorate them, and a Yule log may be lit which will burn until Twelfth Night. Gifts are also exchanged on this day in Germany, Sweden and Portugal. Whilst in Georgia you would have to wait until New Year’s Eve before you get your presents as on Christmas Day you will probably join an Alilo parade, waving a national flag and dressed in Christmas costume to celebrate. The people of Dominican Republic call Christmas Eve La Noche Buena, which means Good Night and is when they feast; the main dish being Roast Pork with pasteles en hojas and pan telera followed by jalea de batata and turron.

The Inuits of Greenland attend a church service on Christmas Eve dressed in the finest outfits. They eat and drink to celebrate just as we do, but you are more likely to find Mattak and Kiviak on the table as well as Caribou, Ptarmigan and Sushi. Hmm, I think I’d rather have a sandwich! Eating turkey at Christmas dates back to the Middle Ages when the religious orders felt that it was better to eat the white meat, and this tradition has held in both the UK and America. Goose, chicken and pork also make it to the table, but the main meal is eaten on Christmas Day along with the exchange of gifts and general celebration. The Queen's Speech is relayed in the afternoon for those who are not too full to care and the world and his dog takes on a satisfied glow.

And what about our Antipodean friends? For them Christmas falls in the middle of summer and whilst they do all the traditional things with Carols and decorations etc, the Christmas feast is more to do with having a Barbie. Boxing Day in Sydney is celebrated with a Yacht race from the Harbour up to Hobart in Tasmania. Whilst in other places a good old game of Cricket fits the bill.

But the main event for many Christians is Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve after which the family comes together to eat a special supper.

Epiphany is another important date in the Christian calendar and is celebrated on 6th January. The word Epiphany comes from the Greek meaning ‘to reveal’ and the revelation was the birth of Christ to the Gentiles. Also known as Three Kings Day, when the Magi arrived, to Eastern Orthodox Christians it is a very important occasion and is when they actually celebrate Christmas. It is preceded by Twelfth Night, or Epiphany Eve as the countdown from Christmas Day and many people believe that it is unlucky to leave their Christmas decorations up after that date.

We all have our own traditions. As a child in our household we spent the weeks up to Christmas making gifts or paper chains for decorations, and putting up the tree was always a big occasion. Our presents were hidden in boxes round the house and finding them on Christmas morning made it even more fun. Boiled eggs and a cup of ground coffee was our breakfast treat and (the real) Father Christmas always visited just before lunch as he was on his way home to bed. It was magical. Boxing Day in Scarborough means a trip to the beach to watch the charity football match between men from the Fire Service and the Fishermen, followed by the daftest Raft race ever around the harbour when flour bombs are thrown and the aim of most crews is to make sure that their competitors get a ducking. The crowds love it and there is always a lot of jostling for a better view. A good time is had by all, and a lot of money is collected for the local hospice St Catherine's, .

Whilst I was wondering about other people's traditions I asked Maria how it was in Colombia at Christmas, and this is her (verbatim) response.

- Candles night on the 7th of December: the origin of this is to celebrate the Virgin Mary but nowadays is not a religious tradition anymore. Everyone lights lots and lots of candles outside of their houses, on their front gardens or porches, so every street is glowing, people sit outside and share with friends and neighbours - this date for me signals the beginning of Christmas and what can I say, I just love the warm soft glow of candles!

- Pray the 'Christmas advent prayer' every evening for the last 9 days before Christmas: this is usually a big social affair where friends and family meet at someone's house (usually people take turns to host it) to pray together but also to share food, songs and presents around the nativity scene.

- Go to see the Christmas lights by the river Medellín: People usually travel from other cities and even countries to see the yearly Christmas display of lights and props. Every year there is a different theme, and it seems to grow bigger and scale up with the latest technology. There is also plenty of entertainment in the form of street food, vendors, buskers, etc.

- Eat Christmas dinner with extended family on Christmas eve and exchange presents around the Christmas tree at midnight. The big party for us is on the eve!

- On Christmas day people open their presents from Baby Jesus (that'd be Santa - AKA mum and dad), go to church and spend the day quietly at home, usually recovering from a lot of eating/drinking the previous day.

- Wear a brand new outfit on Christmas eve, Christmas day and New Year’s Eve (this one might just be my family's tradition!)

- Wear yellow underwear for New Year’s Eve: It's believed to bring good luck and wealth for the coming year.

- On the 6th of January we celebrate the Three Wise King coming and also share a small present or token (mostly for children)

As you can probably tell we really make the most of the season back home, extending the celebrations and excuses for social meetings well before and well past the 25th!

That’s a Christmas I’d like to experience; now where did I put my yellow underwear? But each to his own and whatever you do, and however you like to spend your Christmas I hope you have a wonderful time. And just think that we owe it all to the birth of Christ over two thousand years ago.

Joy to the World.