Bizarre Christmas traditions like Austria's Krampus, Iceland's Christmas witch, Gryla, or the Catalan traditional figurine, the Caganer. This is a peasant wearing the traditional Catalan red cap who is hidden in the Nativity scene squatting to defecate. The child who finds it receives candy.The Catholic Church's using pagan winter festivals of Saturnalia, Solstice and Yule to create a holy day in December even though Christ's birth was probably in Spring.
The legend of Santa Claus emerging from the amalgam of St. Nicholas and Odin thanks to Washington Irving and Clement Clark Moore...
So, I will forgo more trivial, yet interesting morsels for a Christmas blog. What I will do, is take this time to offer all of you the compliments of the season. As ever - BB
"Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!” - Dr. Seuss
"Christmas is a season for kindling the fire for hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart." - Washington Irving
"But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight—'Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!'" - Clement Clark Moore
A wonderful Christmas message Bill. Thank you for this and for all your blogs during the past years.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and Kristin and I look forward to more of your blogs in 2018.
Thank you, Phyllis, for your unflagging support all year long. I hope to see you this weekend to wish you a "Merry Christmas" in person.
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