During the Victorian period of the 1800′s, according to Countess Maria Hubert von Staufer, Director of Christmas Archives International in the UK, “It is a popular misconception that Christmas in England was eradicated by the Cromwellians and was reinvented by the Victorians.” She says the customs people observed then were handed down from earlier days, when Christmas celebrations were underground. The countess has written about Christmas in Victorian England extensively, and says that it was
celebrated with church bells, hand bells, choirs of singers and street performers. Wandering minstrels went from hamlet to hamlet and castle to castle in England’s past, and the tradition continued.

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One tradition we can thank the English for is the Christmas tree. It became most popular with Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, who was born German, brought it to his new country, where it took its place next to the kissing bough, a mixture of mistletoe and evergreen. The most well known Christmas tree in England today is in the heart of
London, a giant spruce near the statue of Lord Nelson in Trafalgar Square. The tree is a gift from the people of Oslo, Norway. During World War II King Haakon of Norway was in exile in England while Norway was occupied by the German Army. Each year during his exile Norwegian military forces would smuggle a tree past the German navy’s patrols and bring it to their king in England so that he could celebrate Christmas with a
tree from his homeland. Since then, the people of Norway have expressed their appreciation by sending a tree every year to the people of London. British children get visits from Santa Claus, just as the children of America do, but they know him as Father Christmas. He’s a jolly old man with white hair and a pipe, much like the American Santa. But, he traditionally wears a green coat. The image of the red coat was introduced
to England in 1930 on a Christmas card from America and in advertising by Coca Cola. His green coat stems from the ancient midwinter festival and signifies the return of Spring. Also, the sleigh and reindeer are an American invention, and Father Christmas isn’t expected to be pulled by eight tiny reindeer. But English children do write letters to
Father Christmas as American children do to Santa, and at Christmas parties someone usually dresses the part and pretends to be Father Christmas.

The main meal at Christmas time is noon on Christmas day, and is traditionally roasted turkey with potatoes, stuffing and vegetables. Some families will still have a Christmas goose however. Goose was the main Christmas course tradition for many years until King Henry VIII decided he preferred turkey. And many people still make a special Christmas pudding to have for desert, a favorite of children. Like America, in England Christmas is probably the favorite children’s holiday.

I ran in the store and grabbed a cart and began piling everything I could think of that we might need. Several other people were bringing food as well but it never hurt to have more. My cart was running over and I thought seriously about getting another cart. Looking out the window at the wind howling and snow flying, I had a feeling that we might be snowed in for a few days. I went back and grabbed another cart and packed in more essentials. I had been so busy this year that I had not been in the loop as to how many people were actually coming. The cabin would hold twenty comfortably and thirty in a pinch. I bought food for thirty-five just to be on the safe side.

The carry out boy was shivering as he unloaded the carts. As I was brushing off the snow from the windshield, I remember matches and coal oil. Grumbling to myself, I ran back into the store stomping my feet I spied the manager smiling to see me again. I knew it was time to leave the store if I was making him happy. I grabbed several bottles of coal oil, matches, candles, and a half a dozen of fleece blankets that were on the clearance rack. The nieces were going to love those little throws. I thought to myself, ”What a bargain at three dollars a piece.”

My jeep was so packed I could hardly move inside. I squeezed into the driver’s seat and pointed the jeep north. Once I ventured out of town the jeep made slow laborious headway. The cabin was seventy-five miles northeast in the mountains of North Carolina. I knew that in the morning assuming that the snow had stopped by then the scenery would be breathtaking. The wheels hit an icy patch, the jeep swerved and spun in a doughnut veering toward the ravine on the other side of the road. My heart in my throat I fought to regain control of the jeep. The jeep came to rest gently next to a pine tree three feet from the shoulder. I got out and looked at the fender, a little scratch nothing more. I punched the jeep into four-wheel drive and eased on the accelerator and slowly inched up out of the ravine.
Back on the road I drove with slow deliberation. And hour later I made it to the cabin through the howling blizzard. I banged on the door for them to let me in. faces and voices met me with open arms. Unloading the car, a snow ball fight broke out. I left the younger crew outside to bring in the rest of the groceries. Opening the door I was met with delicious smells of cinnamon, apples, and ham. “Ah, home with family.”

Before Christmas was celebrated, people were finding time to celebrate in Europe during the winter holiday before the birth of Jesus Christ ever even occurred! The Winter Solstice has always been a time to celebrate and rejoice; it is celebrated on December 21 in the northern hemisphere and it was after the Winter Solstice that the worst part of the year was behind them. It was at that point during the year that the days began to get longer, giving the people more time to spend outside on their crops and tending to their animals.

In Scandinavia during the Winter Solstice, men and their sons used to go in to the woods to cut a tree down. After the tree had been felled, a nicely sized log was cut out of it, and the men would carry the log back to the home. This log was dubbed a Yule Log, and the Yule log was burned in the fireplace. The entire time the Yule log burned, the family would feast. Often times the Yule log might burn for a whole twelve days! Of course, as the Yule log burned it sent sparks out of the hearth and as the sparks flew out of the fire place, the family would count the sparks and each spark stood for a farm animal (a cow, a goat, a pig, etc) that would be born on their property that year. It is important to note that farm animals were signs of wealth back then.

Saturnalia is a celebration of the Winter Solstice that occurred in ancient pagan Rome. Saturnalia was celebrated in honor of the god of agriculture, who was named Saturn. During the time of Saturnalia, the entire Roman empire is in a state of social disarray. Servants and peasants spend time with and celebrate the holiday with people of higher classes, which was a rarity back then. The Saturnalia festival in itself can last as long as an entire week in Rome. During that time, people rejoiced all over the country of Rome. The phrase ‘eat, drink, and be merry’ was played out to its fullest. Shops and businesses are closed during the Festival of Saturnalia. Following the first week of Saturnalia, the festival itself usually ends, but the Saturnalia period itself does not end.

In addition to Saturn, the Roman god of agriculture, the Romans also worshipped an infant type god named Methra, who was carved out of a rock. On Mithra’s birthday, people also rejoiced, just as they did during Saturnalia. The day of this rock god’s birthday was one of the most sacred days of the year for the Roman people. It was a time for celebration and togetherness, and for family.

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