A very merry Yuletide

Submitted by: Steadfast Trust Team, 24th Dec 08

A tradition of Christmas - decorating a tree

The Steadfast Trust would like to wish all supporters and friends a very Merry Christmas/Yuletide. It is hoped that many of our valued readers and supporters will be celebrating this special time of year with family and friends, enjoying good food and cheer with your loved ones.

A little history about Christmas.
Extract from 'Anglo-Saxon FAQs' by Stephen Pollington

Did they (Anglo-Saxons -Ed) celebrate Christmas?

The Anglo-Saxon year began at Midwinter, called Geol, our word Yule.
Celebrations included decking the houses with evergreen boughs, enjoying a feast and playing games.This period was not suitable for agricultural work, and it provided a good opportunity for a rest. The night before Geol was called Modranect "Mothers' Night" and was probably associated with new beginnings, with prophecy and magic. In the heathen calendar it was one of the most important times of the year.

When Christianity came to the Anglo-Saxons, instructions were given by Pope Gregory I to his missionaries not to disturb the customs of the English, but rather to adapt them to Christian usage. Instead of sacrificing a beast to heathen gods, they were to slaughter and eat it in celebration of the birth of the Lord. In this was, the ancient Yule festival gave rise to the Christian celebration of cristes masse 'Christ's mass', Christmas.

Most modern Christmas customs were introduced or devised by the Victorians, and very little of the old English tradition survives. The Yule log - a large, decorated wooden stump - seems to have been the focus of celebrations in mediaeval times, and this tradition may date back to the Anglo-Saxon period.

This great book and others are available at a discount price to 'Friends of the Steadfast Trust'. For more information click here.

Christmas is a time to reflect on the past year in celebration, and we at the Steadfast Trust would like to thank all those who have helped us out during the past 12 months.