Category: Blog

The Origins of Boxing Day.

The Origins of Boxing Day.

There are several theories as to the origin of Boxing Day, but in general the tradition has long included the wealthy giving money and other gifts to the poor. The European tradition dates to the Middle Ages, but some claim it dates back even farther to the late Roman/early Christian era when metal boxes were placed outside churches to collect special offerings connected to the Feast of Saint Stephen. A reference to Boxing Day’s origins appears in the Christmas Carol, “Good King Wenceslas.” Wenceslas, who was Duke of Bohemia in the early 10th century, saw a poor man gathering wood…

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Jolabokaflod and Christmas Eve.

Jolabokaflod and Christmas Eve.

Every Christmas Eve, Icelandic people practice something called ‘jolabokaflod,’ which translates to ‘Christmas book flood. ‘ Jolabokaflod’ is pronounced Jola-boka-flod (with the ‘J’ sounding like the ‘Y’ in ‘yoghurt!)  The tradition  involves giving books as presents on Christmas Eve, so that friends and family can spend a cozy night in curled up with a good story. Let’s set the scene. It’s Christmas Eve and after receiving a brand-new book from your family, you sit comfortably in your favourite chair close to a warm fire with chocolates to eat and a mug of hot cocoa to spend the rest of the…

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Winter Solstice

Winter Solstice

In the northern latitudes, midwinter’s day has been an important time for celebration throughout the ages. The Winter Solstice occurs exactly when the Earth’s axial tilt is farthest away from the sun. On this shortest day of the year, and longest night, the sun is at its lowest and weakest; a pivotal turning point of the year from which the light will grow stronger and brighter. The Romans called it Dies Natalis Invicti Solis, the Birthday of the Unconquered Sun. The seasonal significance of the Winter Solstice is in the reversal of the gradual lengthening of nights and shortening of…

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Christmas Under Threat

Christmas Under Threat

Available for the first time at Christmas by Lynne North and Jack Foster! Obviously Santa loves it already! Christmas is the most exciting and busiest time of the year. All the elves are hard at work making toys for Father Christmas, and Bodo the Chief Inventor Elf is desperately thinking up new ideas for this year’s special toys. He loves the work, but someone else isn’t quite so happy.Luka is jealous. He is sure he could invent much better toys than Bodo, so decides Bodo should be out of the way. But wouldn’t that spoil Christmas for everyone?Luka finds out…

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Yule Log

Yule Log

The Ancient Druids began the tradition of the Yule log, though they probably didn’t expect it to become a chocolate one after the passage of time…The name ‘Druid’ has been said to stem from the word ‘Duir’, or ‘oak’, which gave rise to the assumption that the Druids were priests of the sacred oak groves believed to have once spread across Britain and Ireland.They worshipped trees as symbols of the Gods, chanting to them and making offerings. The custom of ‘wassailing’ (meaning to wish good health to) is descended from the Druidic worship of these powerful trees. The Yule log…

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Krampus

Krampus

Have you heard of Krampus? He is a complex figure, a bringer of punishment and a guardian of a tradition that helps keep children in line at Christmastime.. But at the same time, he’s also a terrifying monster that can whip children with branches. In one sense, Krampus is the stuff of nightmares: a half-goat/ half-demon creature that beats the naughty and even sometimes takes them away. But Krampus is also said to be a good friend of Santa and is still celebrated in some areas of Germany, Austria, Croatia, Hungary, Northern Italy, and Slovenia. He is really the devilish…

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Christmas Origins

Christmas Origins

So, it is almost Christmas again, and time for the mad panic that it always causes as we rush around for cards and presents. That means it’s also time for my Christmas blog, all about the origins of the special day. The word ‘Christmas’ comes from the Old English term ‘Cristes Mæsse’, meaning the ‘Mass of Christ’. The story of Christmas, as we all know, begins with the birth of a baby in Bethlehem. Many believe that Christ was born on the 25th, although the exact month is unknown. December could well have been chosen so the Catholic Church could…

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