Can we mention the C word yet?

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Permalink Reply by Eddie Finnegan on November 20, 2008 at 20:15

Glad to see the Christmas spirit taking over - but a little prematurely. This year November 30th is First Sunday of Advent, with the Fourth Sunday on Dec 21st.
Advent in its younger days (circa 5th cent,AD) began on Nov.11th (Feast of St Martin - Martinmas) and lasted six weeks of FASTING before Christmas FEAST(ing). From about the 6th cent it was shortened to four weeks approx, starting on Sunday nearest St Andrew's Day, Nov 30th.
I've already texted the Pope and Archbishop of Canterbury seeking a dispensation for Warham Rd, to allow for a full 5-week Advent Fast this year. Enjoy!

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Permalink Reply by Liz on November 23, 2008 at 15:28

Thanks Eddie, being a good European, I like to collapse all traditions into one long Christmas fest beginning with the Dutch festival of St Nicholas on the 6th December and going through to Jan 6th in Spain with the arrival of the 3 wise men, although Wikipedia informs me that I can push it until the 13th Jan if I also embrace Norwegian tradition.

So ho, ho, ho and as I've just had my first Christmas card from my daughter...Merry Christmas!

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Permalink Reply by Eddie Finnegan on November 23, 2008 at 16:58

And don't forget the Saturnalia bit too. Apologia for my tongue-in-pig's cheek earnest bit of Catholic pedantry above. I was hoping for a hornets' nest of equally earnest secularist riposte from far and wide to add a bit of salt and spice to our Winterfest. Got Jul - or whatever 'tis they shout cheerily across Scandinavia's frozen fjords!

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Permalink Reply by Liz on November 23, 2008 at 17:56

No , Eddie, no Winterval nonsense from me (yes I know that is an urban myth).
Like my friend Richard Dawkins, it's carols on christmas eve, hurray for the baby jesus and the school nativity play. You will not find a stroke of Christmas cynicism here in Warham road, from the Coca cola Santa, through the Grinch to We Three Kings, I love it all.
I shall not however , ruin Christmas Eve and New Year's eve as I did last year, watching something very sad. I saw Pan's Labyrinth which left me sobbing, red eyed and in need of a stiff brandy. Then did it again a week later watching Neverland.
No, only It's a Wonderful Life and the SpongeBob Square Pants movie for me this year!

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Permalink Reply by Birdy_Too on November 23, 2008 at 19:43

I fully expect to get into the swing of things as early as 8pm Christmas eve, then it's all forgotten in time for the Boxing day fixture list.

Apart from the kids Christmas is postponed this year on the present front as I am still using my past vouchers for Debenhams & Next, do my relatives know me at all?

There's A Christmas Carol on at Jacksons Lane which I will take the kids too, I like Mr Eb.

The old tradition of down the pub on Christmas day seems to have past Harringay by, I have never found a pub open?

Ahh well, I feel the merriment kicking in as we speak - not!

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Permalink Reply by Alison P on November 23, 2008 at 20:25

I'm sadly in full swing already, mainly because I'm hosting a work christmas dinner on Tuesday the ruddy 2nd!!! So off to get my tree next weekend ho ho ho ..

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