Interpret Christmas

We all know the story of Christmas and its origins - most of us have been the third shepherd in a Nativity play at some point! But although we know about the birth of Christ and we understand its significance to all Christians around the world there are many other intrinsic parts of Christmas that have evolved over the years, through countries and families to make it what it is today.

Advent Calendars, wreaths and the Christmas tree…

Are you allowed a chocolate one with Homer Simpson on it? Do you indulge in a green and blacks or something from the Fortnum’s selection perhaps? Or is it important to have a nativity scene and a little illustration of a robin or wreath behind each paper door?

Decoration of the streets and our houses is a huge part of the festive atmosphere and is particular to every home with traditions that are not to be tampered with less the magic of childhood memories is confused.

In the run up to Christmas the streets are filled with fairy lights, holly and ivy. Celebrities turn the big shopping street lights on and the excitement is palpable.

In our household the tree is brought in and there are artistic clashes before everything is chucked on in a garish but jubilant fashion. All the chocolates are hung above dog level and are still all gone by Christmas day. Is there a family in Britain that does not spend a good hour checking which fairy light has broken, one by one!?

Other families have other ways. For example, the head of the family decorates the tree secretly behind closed doors before it is revealed in all it’s lit up glory. I love seeing flatmates collecting their tree and hauling it back home on the tube, red faces, cold hands and mulled wine! It is always just a little sad in January when the remains of the gloriously well dressed trees are lying in the gutter waiting to be collected and thrown out…

Father Christmas…

Whether you call him Santa, St. Nicholas or Father Christmas, whether he is a wonderful, mythical, time commanding old man or a figment of the coca cola company’s imagination, whether he dresses in green or red. He is the most widely recognised non religious symbol of Christmas.

For some he sneaks down your chimneys, fills stockings hung up by fire places or on the end of your bed and then takes his quota of sherry, mince pies and a carrot or two for Rudolph. For others you must tell Santa a poem and he will judge its worthiness and leave sacks full of presents around the Christmas tree…But for everyone you must have been good all year!

In Northern Europe on the eve of 5th December lots of children leave a clean shoe out for Saint Nicholas who like his mate Father Christmas climbs down the chimney and fills the shoe with sweets and little gifts.

The Food

The bit we’ve been waiting for all year – the feast to end all feasts. Indulgence and gluttony before the January die with a T horror! Traditionally Christmas in Britain is Roast Turkey with all the trimmings! Brussel sprouts, pigs in blankets, bread sauce, dates, walnuts, Christmas cake and pudding, mince pies, stilton, brandy butter, brandy cream, Clementine’s and just a light snack for Christmas eve in the form of smoked salmon and more Champagne…
In Germany the emphasis is on Roast goose, roast duck is also popular and as a starter it is always smoked salmon or gravadlax. The main dinner is on the 24th, Christmas eve and on the 25th it is quite usual to go to a restaurant to meet with family and friends.

TV, The Queens Speech and that Christmas walk
Raymond Briggs’s The Snowman, re runs of Only Fools and Horses and The woman in White.

What makes you think of Christmas?

Family by family create their own really and the more we delved, we found we all had our own unique experience of Christmas. Church attendance may be down and shopping and consumerism may be up but actually Christmas does do it’s ‘job’ – we come together, we make our own rules to share with friends and family.