There are increasing complaints about this time of year of officialdom spoilsports and the watering down of Christmas-winter lights instead of Christmas lights-'winterval',campaigns for 'real Christmas' and so on. But we do not need official sponsoring or recognition of what Christmas means in order for it to be real. It's as real and as meaningful as you make it-So- make it for yourself. Christmas is part of the Christian calendar and is a welcoming of Jesus into the world. However, except for the religious services, it is mainly expressed through our pre-Christian culture and the Winter Solstice rituals which sought to bring light and cheer during the darkest and coldest season.
Yule sees the fight between the Oak King and the Holly King over the right to rule the waxing and waning parts of the year. With Oak King winning the winter and Holly King winning the summer.
The birth of Jesus is also a promise of light and hope for the future.
It was a compromise between the new religion and the old ways;
and long may it continue
The Green Man; representing the Holly, Ivy and Mistletoe So, whatever your ken; Have a Merry Merry Christmas Solstice |
Yes lets have a traditional English Yule/Christmas.
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