It comes but once a year

It comes but once a year – but from where?

By Geoff Cobblestone

If you’re reading this in early Autumn, may I be the first to wish you Merry Christmas. Yes, it’ll come around again, on the same date as last year - despite those who say, “It’s come round quickly this year” - and I hope you and yours have a good one.

But, as regular readers know by now, I’m always wondering about the origin of celebrations and the words associated with them. Many of our traditions have Roman, Germanic or Norse roots. So, Christmas. We know the Christmas story itself but there was, and still is, the pagan festival of Yule, from an Old Norse word Jol or Jul. This year, it begins on 21 December and ends on 1 January. The Winter Solstice on 21 December is the shortest day and as the days then become longer and lighter, it signifies rebirth and new beginnings. As does 25 December in the Christian tradition.

Today, most of us only see the word Yule on the box of a chocolate Yule Log. This used to be the real thing - a tree - brought indoors and burnt at the hearth, to help the wood spirits keep warm, as well as the occupants of the house.

Holly was used to decorate doors and windows; its prickly edges believed to ward off malevolent spirits before they could enter the home. Ivy was an evergreen symbol of immortality, at a time of year when much of nature had died off, at least in the northern hemisphere.

Mistletoe was associated with fertility, by many cultures. During the Roman festival of Saturnalia (also in December) said Romans would… how can I put this?... perform fertility rituals under the mistletoe. These days we usually limit ourselves to a kiss… They also wore head decorations during the festival, which some believe has continued with our love of wearing those paper crowns you get in Christmas crackers. I bet the Roman ones fitted better!

In Norse mythology Odin, a large man with a long beard, rides through the sky on an eight-legged horse called Sleipnir. Children in Norse communities would fill their boots with straw and carrots, believing that when Odin passed by in the night he’d feed Sleipnir, and leave a gift in return. As does Santa if you offer him milk and a mince pie.

And then there are Christmas carols, having a long history in various forms. A ‘carol’ is a dance or song of praise and joy. Wassailers used to go door to door, singing and drinking to the health of the townsfolk (‘waes hael’ translates to ‘good health’) and banishing evil spirits in the process. Eventually it was adopted as the more sober-yet-joyful Christian activity we know today. My favourite’s ‘In The Bleak Midwinter’ (Holst setting) – what’s yours?

We can see that many Christmas traditions have been borrowed and adapted from earlier customs. But in a year that has seen devastating war return to Europe, I reckon the most valuable tradition we can encourage is that of peace and goodwill to all men. My best wishes for the season!