As a rule of thumb, those events celebrated closer to the first of November
are more akin to the ancient pagan festivals and holy days when the 'hob
horse' goes from door to door and bites little German children who don't
know all the correct words to the ancient carols, and the Julenissen slip
nuts and candies into shoes left outside Norwegian windows, and the ghosts
of the Celtic departed are invited in to warm themselves by a fire that is
not allowed to go out and to eat a meal of milk and bread.
Those days close to the last of December are more akin to Western Rome's
Catholic Church celebrations with feasts and carols and veneration of the
birth of the KristenKindle who once went from door to door in America on a
different day than St. Nick to reward all prayerful children with small
gifts placed in their stockings.
Yet all these things are a part of an ancient celebration lost in the dim
marches of long forgotten history.
Whether you count your calender as the ancient Celts did by 'eves' rather
than days or you dig the Christian Church's Greatest hits of December, or
you just love giving gifts, it all comes together in these last few days.
To all my friends and all my foes on the usual groups [even those where
nobody goes]: have a wonderful Holiday season. Be safe, be healthy, be
happy. And may this coming newborn year bring you prosperity and joy and
the spirit of giving.
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