Yuletide

It seemed appropriate for this 'betwixtmas' blog to cast a brief look back at the origins of the festive season we are currently enjoying, in all its layers of tradition. Here goes...

Prior to it being a Christian festival (literally Christ's Mass) celebrating the birth of baby Jesus - who was actually born in September if forensic analysis of the historical data is to be believed (and why not?) - it was a seasonal observance of profound significance marking the 'turning of the year' at the winter solstice, as the shortest day passed and the new year beckoned.

This event was most acutely felt in the far north (from the Germanic tribes up through the Nordic lands) for winter there was particularly bleak and dark and the concept of yuletide derives from thence, jol or geol in Norse and Old English meaning feast and tide indicating a season or period of time. There is plenty of evidence that yuletide was a twelve-day festival (precursor of our Twelve Days of Christmas) with ritual observances and sacrifices to thank and appease the Gods (chief among them Odin), accompanied by lots of eating, drinking and making merry to lift the spirits of mere mortals at the lowest period of the year and a celebration of one more successful transition beyond the shortest, darkest days - light in our darkness as a symbol of hope and regeneration.

It was an event that was also marked in the slightly warmer and lighter winter of the Mediterranean lands, first in Greece in the Kronia, celebrating mighty Cronos and then in the Roman Empire where it morphed into the festival of Saturnalia in honour of the God Saturn (the Roman equivalent of Cronos). As well as generous libations to the God there was much feasting, carousing and the exchanging of gifts and poems (fore-runners of our presents and Christmas cards) over a seven day period from 17th to 23rd December. There was also a tradition of turning the tables, a day or days when roles became reversed and the masters would wait on their slaves in recognition of the service they gave throughout the rest of the year (as close to the original spirit of Boxing Day as you can get).

When Christianity began its pervasive progress north and westwards through Europe, it first of all lived beside and then shrewdly gradually co-opted the timetable and much of the symbolism of the older, pagan rituals - the Christmas tree with lights (originally candles pre-electricity) as a symbol of regeneration side by side with the nativity story; the exchanging of gifts latterly linked to the arrival of the shepherds and the magi presenting of lambs, gold, frankincense and myrrh to Jesus; the celebratory feasting and expression of goodwill to all men and so on.

Nowadays, with the influence of Christianity seemingly on the wane, significantly it is the older symbolism of our seasonal response to the cycle of the year that retains most power, if we did but know it, as we deck the halls with mistletoe and holly, put up our Christmas trees and strings of coloured lights and enjoy a holiday to cheer us through the darkest days and celebrate having turned the bleakest corner of the year one more time.

I didn't have the opportunity to write a new poem on theme this week, it's all been a bit of a manic scramble if I'm honest; but at least it's been fun and spending time with loved ones was the priority.

Given that's the case, here's something that has been gestating for a while, has a tenuous link (better than none) to the seasonal idea of gifting and - in the absence of anything more appropriate - has persuaded me against my better judgement that finally its moment has come. I have to stress that although it is rooted in a couple of true events, in the end it is as fictive as the best Christmas myths.

Thanks For The Marmalade
I want to find romance
With a partner
Who won't lead me a merry dance

You are decorative
And articulate
But there's not a chance you'll give
All your heart for love

When the grief
Outweighs the pleasure
Then I think we know
It's time to let you go
Take back your five gold rings

Though this dream was doomed to fade
I wish you nothing but good things
Thanks for the marmalade
Sorry I ironed your carpet
I go to seek another
So long, lover...

There you have it. I think we're done here. I have thank you letters to write.

Until 2019, enjoy the rest of the holiday and a Happy New Year to all, Steve ;-)