Newsletter - 22 to 29 December
An English Christmas
Throughout history Christmas has involved a mix of customs and activities: sacred and secular, in church and with family and friends, exchanging gifts and giving to those in need, religious devotion and popular entertainment.
In the Middle Ages Christmas was primarily a religious festival lasting 12 days from Christmas Eve until Epiphany on 6 January. On Christmas Day, there were three Masses to honour the birth of Christ. Alongside the religious dimension, great feasts were held. Lords of the manor and monasteries provided hospitality to their servants and the poor. Players and musicians provided entertainment. Gifts were exchanged on 1 January.
In the 16th century many of the religious celebrations of Christmas took new forms in the Anglican and Protestant churches. There continued to be lavish celebrations especially in the royal court where new traditions developed; e.g. on the Twelfth Night (6 January) when a bean was baked into a cake. The person who got it in their slice became 'King of the Bean', and everyone had to imitate him. When he drank, they drank; if he danced, they danced, etc.
During the Victorian era, Christmas was reshaped for an increasingly urban and middle-class population. Most families went to church and remembered their obligation of Christmas charity. Some customs continue to this day: Christmas trees, exchanging presents on Christmas Day, printed Christmas cards, Christmas crackers, and eating turkey and Christmas pudding. 'Christmas Boxes' were given to servants and tradesmen on 26 December, which became known as Boxing Day. In our time the mix Christmas customs and activities seems out of balance. Christmas has been commercialized and the religious dimension diminished. We can purchase an incredible array of “Christmas” merchandize and entertainment without recalling the reason for our celebration. But can Christmas continue to be what has been over the ages – a blend of sacred and secular where the inspiration and guiding principle was clearly linked with the birth of Christ?
Many of the things we will do this Christmas will not be “religious.” That has been the case throughout history. They are to be celebrated and enjoyed but without forgetting that the “great joy for all people” comes in their origin:
“to you is born this day a Saviour who is Christ the Lord” (Lk 2:11)
Deacon Ted Wood ccn
Focus of the Week
CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR MASS TIMES
Christmas Eve
4pm & 7pm Vigil Masses
Christmas Day
9am & 11am Mass
Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God
Wednesday 1 January, 11am Mass
Epiphany of the Lord
Saturday 4 January 5.30pm
Sunday 5 January 9am & 11am
ADORATION
There will be no Adoration from 25 December.
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Adoration will resume on Monday 6 January 2025.