Did you know that the custom of Christmas card sending only became widespread in the late 1800s? That Christmas carols were first composed in the fourth century? That certain Christmas customs, many still practiced in the early twentieth century, may have derived from that darkest of religious rites, human sacrifice? That beyond Christmas Day, even beyond the twelve days of Christmas, there is a whole season of traditional celebrations with many interconnections. Based on extensive research, this book is a comprehensive account of Christmas customs and traditions in both their pagan and Christian aspects. Tracing the pagan survivals in holiday practices associated with not just Christmas but also the entire holiday season from All Saints Day to Epiphany, the author illuminates such practices and manifestations as ceremonial feasting and drinking, carol singing, bull-baiting, divination by young women to discover the identities of their future husbands, men masquerading as women and women masquerading as men, the Knecht Ruprecht and the Tomte Gubbe, the Frauen, the Yule log, the Christmas tree, Christmas decorations and gifts, special Christmas cakes, and much more. There is also substantial coverage of Christmas poetry and song, Christmas in liturgy and popular devotion, Christmas drama, and the pre-Christian winter festivals. With its insightful writing and wide scholarship, this book is an important contribution to the understanding of the most popular holiday in the Western world. It will appeal to those of all faiths, and will be enjoyed for browsing as well as for serious study.
Fantastic. A remarkable resource for anthropologists, historians, and folklorists alike. A scholarly work that, despite its age, remains a valuable addition to any academic collection. I find myself turning--again and again--to its well-thumbed pages while researching a varied range of subjects.
Whether you love Christmas, hate Christmas, or just float around somewhere between these two extremes, this is a good reference book for researching the Pagan and Christian origins of the holiday and the many traditions that go along with it. First published in 1912 under the title, “Christmas in Ritual and Tradition, Christian and Pagan” the book offers only brief descriptions of past and present customs of which there are so many that it would take volumes for a more comprehensive study. Anyone who has done more than just a cursory investigation into some of the holiday customs already knows how confusing and frustrating it can be to pinpoint just how some of these customs got started.
Millions of books and articles have been written that are devoted in whole or in part to describing the pagan origins of Christmas traditions, so it is not like this book is a gem that I found hidden in the dark archival mines in the basement of an old library. The problem is that, although the information is out there for everyone to easily find, people tend to ignore, disbelieve, or resist learning any of it. The obvious reason is that people love Christmas and the associated celebrations so much that they will never entertain the thought that most of what they are doing has nothing to do with Jesus Christ, but everything to do with what He preached against. So, no matter which side you lean toward, this is just one more book for your reference shelf. If you love Christmas, then you will enjoy reading and sharing with others the history of Christmas trees, decorations, gifts, feasts, etc., and if you hate Christmas, you will have plenty of ammunition when arguing with those who accuse you of being brainwashed or in a cult.
I particularly enjoyed the chapter on Christmas poetry, which has taken many forms over the centuries. Among my favorites:
An 18th century cradle-song by Dr. Watts: "Hush, my dear, lie still and slumber. Holy angels guard thy bed! Heavenly blessings without number Gently falling on thy head. Soft and easy is thy cradle; Coarse and hard thy Saviour lay. When His birthplace was a stable, And His softest bed was hay. Lo He slumbers in His manger Where the horned oxen fed; -Peace, my darling, here's no danger; Here's no ox a-near thy bed."
A 17th century hymn (a few verses here) by pastor Paul Gerhardt, which is best known through Bach's Christmas Oratorio: "Fröhlich soll mein Herze springen Dieser Zeit, Da für Freud Alle Engel singen. Hört, hört, wie mit vollen Choren Alle Luft Laute ruft: Christus ist geboren. Nun, er liegt in seiner Krippen, Ruft zu sich Mich und dich, Spricht mit süssen Lippen: Lasset fahrn, O lieben Brüder Was euch quält, Was euch fehlt; Ich bring alles wieder. Süsses Heil, lass dich umfangen; Lass mich dir, Meine Zier, Unverrückt anhangen. Du bist meines Lebens Leben; Nun kann ich Mich durch dich Wohl zufrieden geben."
And lastly, maybe less spiritual but pretty funny, a poem in french and latin: "Comme les bestes autrefois Parloient mieux latin que françois, Le coq, de loin voyant le fait, S'écria: Christus natus est. Le boeuf, d'un air tout ébaudi, Demande: Ubi ? Ubi ? Ubi ? La chèvre, se tordant le groin, Répond que c'est à Béthléem. Maistre Baudet, curiosus De l'aller voir, dit: Eamus; Et, droit sur ses pattes, le veau Beugle deux fois: Volo, Volo !"
This book, published in 1912, definitely shows its age. It is Eurocentric without commenting on that fact, as one example; the print is teeny-tiny; and the language is a bit stuffy and quaint. That said, this is an amazing catalog of European Christmas-related traditions from the first introductions of Christianity to the early 20th century. No doubt many of the practices described herein have already vanished. Miles traces the history of indigenous religious practices that were simply renamed and tweaked a little to be given the patina of Christianity in later centuries, including examples that are straight-up witchcraft, sympathetic magic, and/or animism. Aside from the fascinating practices and traditions included here, many of which were entirely new to me, the most interesting thing that struck me was Miles's repeated comments — in passing, as if this were known to all and taken for granted — that "modern" folks weren't much for this religious stuff, Christianity included. He seemed to forecast a twilight of organized religion in modern society that has, alas, not come to pass. A mighty tome, but well worth a read for anyone interested in the history of winter holidays and traditions. You might even find a few you wish to revive!
AN EARLY 20TH CENTURY HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL EXPLORATION
Author Clement A. Miles wrote in the Preface to this 1912 book, “In this volume I have tried to show how Christmas is or has been kept in various lands and ages, and to trace as far as possible the origin of the pagan elements that have mingled with the Church’s feast of the Nativity… The book has been written primarily for the general reader, but I venture to hope that… it may be of some use to the more serious student, as a rough outline map of the field of Christmas customs, and as bringing together materials hitherto scattered through a multitude of volumes in various languages. There is certainly room for a comprehensive English book on Christmas, taking account of the results of modern historical and folk-lore research.”
He suggests, “The French word ‘Noel’ is a name concerning whose origin there has been considerable dispute; there can, however, be little dispute that it is the same word as [various nations are]… obviously derived from the Latin ‘natalis,’ and meaning ‘birthday.’… Why, we may ask, did the Church choose December 25 for the celebration of her Founder’s Birth? No one now imagines that the date is supported by a reliable tradition; it is only one of various guesses of early Christian writers. As a learned eighteenth-century Jesuit has pointed out, there is not a single month in the year to which the Nativity has not been assigned by some writer of other. The real reason for the choice of the day most probably was, that upon it fell the pagan festival just mentioned.” (Pg. 22-23)
He notes that various national customs “suggest the connection of Christmas with the Roman New Year’s Day, the Kalends of the first day of January, a time celebrated with many festive customs. What these were, and how they have affected Christmas we shall see in some detail… suffice it to say here that the festival, which lasted for three days, was one of riotous life, of banqueting and games and license. It was preceded, moreover, by the Saturnalia (December 17 to 23) which had many like features, and must have formed practically one festive season with it. The word ‘Saturnalia’ has become so familiar in modern usage as to suggest sufficiently the character of the festival for which it stands.” (Pg. 24)
He continues, “One more name yet remains to be considered, ‘Yule’ (Danish ‘Jul’), the ordinary word for Christmas in the Scandinavian languages, and not extinct among ourselves… it is clearly the name of a Germanic season---probably a two-month tide covering the second half of November, the whole of December, and the first half of January. It may well suggest to us the element added to Christmas by the barbarian peoples who began to learn Christianity about the time when the festival was founded. Modern research has tended to disprove the idea that the old Germans held a Yule feast at the winter solstice, and it is probable… that the specifically Teutonic Christmas customs come from a New Year and beginning-of-winter festival kept about the middle of November. These customs transferred to Christmas are to a great extent religious or magical rites intended to secure prosperity during the coming years, and there is also the familiar Christmas feasting, apparently derived in part from the sacrificial banquets that marked the beginning of winter.” (Pg. 25)
He explains, “A carol, in the modern English sense, may perhaps be defined as a religious song, less formal and solemn than the ordinary Church hymn---an expression of popular and often naïve devotional feeling, a thing intended to be sung outside rather than within church walls. There still linger about the word some echoes of its original meaning, for ‘carol’ had at first a secular or even pagan significance: in twelfth-century France it was used to describe the amorous song-dance which hailed the coming of spring; in Italian meant a ring- or song-dance; while by English writers from the thirteenth to the sixteenth century it was used chiefly of singing joined with dancing, and had no necessary connection with religion. Much as the medieval Church, with its ascetic tendencies, disliked religious dancing, kit could not always suppress it; and in Germany… there was choral dancing at Christmas round the cradle of the Christ Child.” (Pg. 47)
He notes, “The use of the ‘crib’ (French ‘creche’…) at Christmas is now universally diffused in the Roman Church. Most readers of this book must have seen one of these structures representing the stable at Bethlehem, with the Child in the manger, His mother and St. Joseph… and perhaps the shepherds, the three kings, or worshipping angels.” (Pg. 105)
He recounts, ‘The strictly religious feast of the Saturnalia was held on December 17, but the festal customs were kept up for seven days, thus lasting until the day before our Christmas Eve… Candles seem also to have been given away, perhaps as symbols of, or even charms to ensure, the return of the sun’s power after the solstice. The most remarkable feature, however, of the Saturnalia was the mingling of all classes in a common jollity.” (Pg. 165-166)
He states, “Whatever the limits fixed for the beginning and end of the Christmas festival, its core is always the period between Christmas Eve and the Epiphany---the ‘Twelve Days.’ A cycle of feasts falls within this time, and the customs peculiar to each day will be treated on calendrical order.” (Pg. 238-239)
He observes, “The most widespread, and to children the most delightful, of all festal institutions is the Christmas-tree. Its picturesqueness and gay charm have made it spread rapidly all over Europe without roots in national tradition, for, as most people know, it is a German creation, and even in Germany it attained it present immense popularity only in the nineteenth century. To Germany, of course, one should go to see the tree in all its glory….” (Pg. 263)
This book will be of keen interest to those studying such Christmas lore.
If you really want to know Christmas Customs from early centuries and all the Traditions of Christmas both Christian & pagan..... this book is a comprehensive account of Christmas customs and traditions in both their pagan and Christian aspects. Coverage of Christmas poetry and songs also - Explains how Christmas is or has been kept in various lands and ages. The first part of the book is about Christmas and Christianity. It is written in part in different languages but for the most part in English. Well written & explained.
This book might as well be an academic paper on the history and origins of Christmas traditions. It's filled with historical bits of pagan and ecclesiastical customs relating to Christmas (e.g. yuletide, Martinmas, twelve days of Christmas, etc.)
While it is informative, it is also incredibly dry. Translations of liturgical and popular poems in Latin, German, Italian, French, and Spanish are *mostly* provided -- but I think the author is making some assumptions that his reader already has a working knowledge of several Western languages.
4/5 for me - I skimmed several chapters. Maybe worth another read next year.
A 2012 edition of what I'm beginning to believe is the digitised copy available free from Project Gutenberg which might well account for the fact that the layout of the book was, well, shall we say, quirky; that the black & white photographs were pretty poorly reproduced so as to look more like they had been photocopied (badly at that) from another book. Other than that ...
A real gem of a read, as interesting as it is informative.
Some of them doubtlessly familiar, others not so much, still others not at all, with Part I dealing with 'The Christian Feast', Part II (the larger aspect of the book) 'Pagan Survivals' which as the title might suggests takes a look at how many pre-Christian festivals were re-dressed as Christian; section by section, chapter by chapter the author takes us through many of the rituals and traditions associated with 'Christmas', showing how it is/had been kept in various places at various times in this fascinating read that, not too dry or academic, provides much food for thought and not just for the serious students amongst us either.
Copyright ... Felicity Grace Terry @ Pen and Paper
Thorough and enlightening survey of the traditions and customs that evolved into the Christmas we know today (or rather, the Christmas we knew 100 years ago when this was first published). I was fascinated to learn about the Pagan or "heathen" elements, what they signified, and how they were incorporated into a religious festival.
This book definitely reflects the views and writing style of a certain time (early 1900s) but its account of the origin of Christmas practices is absolutely fascinating.
Was Christmas just a marketing gimmick to sell more stuff? Weaving thru the traditions to find a deeper meaning to all these joyous goings-on. And, no it's not a birthday party.
Originally published in 1912, the tone is more devotional than a modern reader would expect. The book is divided into two parts, the Christian Feast, and the longer, Pagan Survivals. As expressed in the preface, the book is intended for the average reader that aspires to appeal to the budding scholar, and expects most are more interested in the latter section. The work is ambitious in scope, and depth. The amount of information is utterly astonishing. I doubt there is another book meant for the lay person as detailed, and careful in discussing European wide traditional celebrations. one would be a scholar by the book's end.
The introduction is a fine example of what is to follow, developing concepts such as: origin and purpose of festivals, Pagan and Christian elements, named of the festival, Kalends of January, Yule and Teutonic festivals, to name a few of the topics mentioned in this brief portion.
Part One leaps first into poetry of several nations, specifically, Italy, England, France, Spain, and Germany, rarely translated, examining the content as a study of the aspects each time, and region focused their celebration. Following is a chapter for Liturgy and Popular Devotion, then, Drama, in detail, with several examples in the original languages for a proper sense of what it was like to experience.
Part Two covers the various folk customs associated to the season from Hallow's Eve, to Candlemas, with the chapters divided between the major saint's days.. The author often references Frazer as a source to explain ancient customs; further scholarship has disproven much of his work.
I didn't really make it through this book. More than anything I skimmed it. The customs and traditions it addresses are those from Europe and ones that date so far back in time that most of them are obsolete. Rome, Paris, Germany, and Britain make up the bulk of the countries whose traditions are talked about in this book. As another reviewer mentioned, the language used is rather quaint since the book was originally written in the 19th century. I would think the only people that this book would hold an interest for are people doing some sort of research related to this topic, or folk lorists. This book is not for the average person curious about Christmas and why we do what we do.
This is a survey of the history and folklore surrounding Christmas and related holidays, originally published in England in 1912. Part I covers the history of Christmas as a Christian feast day and how that developed. Part II discusses pre-Christian festivals and observances and how a lot of them survived by being given a Christian veneer (feasting, the Yule log, mistletoe etc.) although the overt paganism disappeared. The folklore of several European countries is covered. One value of this book is that it covers a lot of customs that have probably disappeared since 1912.