Good King Wenceslas looked out
On the feast of Stephen
When the snow lay round about
Deep and crisp and even
Brightly shone the moon that night
Though the frost was cruel
When a poor man came in sight
Gath'ring winter fuel
"Hither, page, and stand by me
If thou know'st it, telling
Yonder peasant, who is he?
Where and what his dwelling?"
"Sire, he lives a good league hence
Underneath the mountain
Right against the forest fence
By Saint Agnes' fountain."
"Bring me flesh and bring me wine
Bring me pine logs hither
Thou and I will see him dine
When we bear him thither."
Page and monarch forth they went
Forth they went together
Through the rude wind's wild lament
And the bitter weather
"Sire, the night is darker now
And the wind blows stronger
Fails my heart, I know not how,
I can go no longer."
"Mark my footsteps, my good page
Tread thou in them boldly
Thou shalt find the winter's rage
Freeze thy blood less coldly."
In his master's steps he trod
Where the snow lay dinted
Heat was in the very sod
Which the Saint had printed
Therefore, Christian men, be sure
Wealth or rank possessing
Ye who now will bless the poor
Shall yourselves find blessing
~Traditionally a Christmas song
The Feast of Stephen (St. Stephen's Day) is on December 26. The first clue that can be found to boxing day is in this song. The song was officially published in 1853, but music originates some 300 years earlier, in Finland.
King Wenceslas was the Duke of Bohemia in the 10th century. He was, based on the lyrics of this song, a good guy. St. Stephen's Day, the 26th of December, Boxing day, originated as a day of charity - a day when the English have traditionally given charity to the less fortunate.
Our good king, Wenceslas is not the origin of Boxing Day, he is just a good song. There are a couple of theories as to the origins of Boxing Day.
The first: Historically in England during Advent, Anglican parishes had a box for churchgoers to put monetary donations in. The day after Christmas, the boxes were opened and the contents distributed to the poor. That is why it is called Boxing Day.
Another: The day after Christmas was the day that the aristocracy distributed presents (boxes) to servants and employees. Since the gifts were in boxes, the day was called Boxing Day.
Boxing Day is a national holiday in England, Wales, Ireland, Canada, Finland, Australia, New Zealand, and Hong Kong (there are other countries that celebrate the holiday but where it is not recognized as a national holiday). Whatever the origin of the holiday, Boxing Day now bears no resemblance to the initial charitable day it once was. It has become a day similar to the USA Thanksgiving - a day to laze about, eat plenty, and watch a sporting event on TV.
If you wonder about Good King Wenceslas - he was assassinated by his brother Boleslaw (rhymes with coleslaw I guess).
Note: We have a Boxing Day celebration in our family. (That British son thing, you recall.) We get together, eat some good food, exchange gifts. There are no sporting events of note on 26 Dec. so no TV.
Something else I learned: Boxing Day has become something of a black Friday equivalent. Interesting evolution for a day that was once about charitable giving.
Showing posts with label traditions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label traditions. Show all posts
Monday, December 26, 2011
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Christmas Traditions Around the World
Christmas... is not an external event at all, but a piece of one's home that one carries in one's heart.
~Freya Stark
The way Christmas is celebrated in a few countries around the world.
In Finland:
Finns believe that Father Christmas (Santa Claus) lives in the north part of Finland called Korvatunturi, north of the Arctic Circle (he probably does!) There is a theme park called 'Christmas Land' in the north of Finland, near where they say that Father Christmas lives.
Finns celebrate 3 holy days of Christmas - Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. During these clebration days they eat special holiday foods. They have Christmas trees and church services. They also visit graveyards and place lit candles on the graves of loved ones - this is reportedly quite pretty as Christmas in Finland is always white.
Sauna, of course, is a part of the Christmas tradition. People go there before the festive holiday dinner. After dinner: Presents!
Hyvää joulua ja onnellista uutta vuotta!
In France:
Christmas Eve is the special time in the French celebration of Christmas. In cathedral squares, the story of Christ's birth is re-enacted in cathedral squares. Most French homes display crèches. After fasting all day there is a feast (le reveillon) held after midnight mass. The menu includes a yule log cake, poultry, ham, salads and wine.
Saints (santons) for Christmas crèches:
Children leave their shoes outside or on the hearth so that Father Christmas can fill them with gifts.
Joyeux Noël et Bonne année!
In Japan:
Despite the fact that very few Japanese people are Christian, most homes have Christmas trees decorated with origami ornaments. They enjoy gift giving so this is what they clebrate. Japanese Christians do not celebrate Christmas as a family day or a day of feasting. They spend the day helping others, especially those that are ill or in hosptials.
The use of lights during the holiday celebrations is very popular in Japan.
There is Hotei-osho, a Santa-like Buddhist monk that brings presents for children. He reportedly has eyes in the back of his head.
メリークリスマスと新年あけましておめでとうございます！
In Russia:
Russia observed Christmas in similar fashion to current Western tradition until the revolution in 1917. After that, Christmas and other religious celebrations were banned. In 1992, Christmas was again celebrated openly. The Russian Orthodox Church uses the Julian calendar, so Christmas is celebrated on January 7th.Christmas Eve is celebrated with all night Masses, and a fast is observed until the Mass is ended. Christmas Eve dinner is generally meatless, but the Christmas day feast includes many traditional foods.
During the holiday season priests visit individual homes with vessels of holy water. The water is sprinkled in each room in hope of happiness and good fortune for the coming year. Children also carol frequently in Russia on Christmas and are rewarded with sweets.
Светлого Рождества и счастливого нового года!
In Egypt:
Approximately 15% of Egypts poulation is Christian. They belong mostly to the Coptic Orthodox Church. During the Holy Nativity fast, which precedes Christmas by 40 days, they eat no meat procucts except fish. This time period is called Kiahk.
On Christmas Eve, Christian Egyptians go to church wearing new clothes. After the Mass, they eat a meal of bread, rice, and boiled meat. On January 7, Christmas day in Egypt, people visit friends and share cake and beverages.
عيد ميلاد سعيدوسنة جديدة سعيدة
~Freya Stark
The way Christmas is celebrated in a few countries around the world.
In Finland:
Finns believe that Father Christmas (Santa Claus) lives in the north part of Finland called Korvatunturi, north of the Arctic Circle (he probably does!) There is a theme park called 'Christmas Land' in the north of Finland, near where they say that Father Christmas lives.
Finns celebrate 3 holy days of Christmas - Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. During these clebration days they eat special holiday foods. They have Christmas trees and church services. They also visit graveyards and place lit candles on the graves of loved ones - this is reportedly quite pretty as Christmas in Finland is always white.
Sauna, of course, is a part of the Christmas tradition. People go there before the festive holiday dinner. After dinner: Presents!
Hyvää joulua ja onnellista uutta vuotta!
In France:
Christmas Eve is the special time in the French celebration of Christmas. In cathedral squares, the story of Christ's birth is re-enacted in cathedral squares. Most French homes display crèches. After fasting all day there is a feast (le reveillon) held after midnight mass. The menu includes a yule log cake, poultry, ham, salads and wine.
Saints (santons) for Christmas crèches:
Children leave their shoes outside or on the hearth so that Father Christmas can fill them with gifts.
Joyeux Noël et Bonne année!
In Japan:
Despite the fact that very few Japanese people are Christian, most homes have Christmas trees decorated with origami ornaments. They enjoy gift giving so this is what they clebrate. Japanese Christians do not celebrate Christmas as a family day or a day of feasting. They spend the day helping others, especially those that are ill or in hosptials.
The use of lights during the holiday celebrations is very popular in Japan.
There is Hotei-osho, a Santa-like Buddhist monk that brings presents for children. He reportedly has eyes in the back of his head.
メリークリスマスと新年あけましておめでとうございます！
In Russia:
Russia observed Christmas in similar fashion to current Western tradition until the revolution in 1917. After that, Christmas and other religious celebrations were banned. In 1992, Christmas was again celebrated openly. The Russian Orthodox Church uses the Julian calendar, so Christmas is celebrated on January 7th.Christmas Eve is celebrated with all night Masses, and a fast is observed until the Mass is ended. Christmas Eve dinner is generally meatless, but the Christmas day feast includes many traditional foods.
During the holiday season priests visit individual homes with vessels of holy water. The water is sprinkled in each room in hope of happiness and good fortune for the coming year. Children also carol frequently in Russia on Christmas and are rewarded with sweets.
Светлого Рождества и счастливого нового года!
In Egypt:
Approximately 15% of Egypts poulation is Christian. They belong mostly to the Coptic Orthodox Church. During the Holy Nativity fast, which precedes Christmas by 40 days, they eat no meat procucts except fish. This time period is called Kiahk.
Christmas Bazaar in Egypt:
On Christmas Eve, Christian Egyptians go to church wearing new clothes. After the Mass, they eat a meal of bread, rice, and boiled meat. On January 7, Christmas day in Egypt, people visit friends and share cake and beverages.
عيد ميلاد سعيدوسنة جديدة سعيدة
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