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6 Episodes 1995 - 1995
Episode 1
Today's festivities and shopping bonanza are often termed 'un-Christian', but the festivities do predate Christ! Today's decorations derive from the holly, ivy and mistletoe greenery, symbolic of continuity of life through winter in the Kissing Bough. The Yule Log is a Norse/Saxon tradition.
Episode 2
The early Church adapted existing midwinter festivities to celebrate Christ's birthday, but banned candles and presents! The model story - the crib in a church is attributed to St Francis of Assisi. Carols became popular in the 14th Century, deriving from French singing rounds.
Episode 3
In the medieval Christmas festivities was the Lord of Misrule, when master served servant at the Manor House. The Twelve Days of Christmas were because the main agricultural holiday was midwinter. The meal of the rich was swan, peacock and boar's head, while the poor ate game birds - with stuffing. Presents were given on the 12th Night rather than Christmas.
Episode 4
Father Christmas outlawed! The lowest ebb for Christmas - Cromwell banned it! Not only was dancing and singing stopped, - but it was illegal to go to church and celebrate Christmas as the whole thing seemed 'too pagan'! After Cromwell, the old style Christmas never recovered but the turkey and goose stepped in!
Episode 5
The man who single-handedly revived and re-invented Christmas for the World was Charles Dickens, in 'Christmas Carol' and a host of special Christmas stories. Revival of carol singing - mulled wine for choristers. The Christmas event of Pantomime appeared as we know it. The invention of Christmas cards, and the appearance of the Christmas Tree.
Episode 6
Old Green Father Christmas became red robed Santa Claus when he returned from the USA. The paper hat worn from the Christmas cracker is a relic of dressing-up of Misrule and Saturnalia. At our Christmas meal, not only has the bird changed, but our Christmas Pudding was once a meat porridge! Mince Pies were once crib-shaped meat pies for the 12 Days of Christmas. Christmas has gone short and sweet.