VISITING ETHOS

Santa Claus definitely

Has the right idea

When he only visits

People once a year

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – THE CHRISTMAS CANDLE

 

The enchanting village of Gladbury lies deep in the heart of the English countryside, however it is no ordinary English village for legend has it that every 25 years an angel visits the village candle maker and touches a single candle in the Chandlers.

Furthermore, whoever lights the blessed candle receives a miracle on Christmas Eve.

At the dawn of the electric age however in 1890, the centuries old legend might have run its course and come to an end.

Especially when David Richmond (Hans Matheson), a progressive young minister, arrives in Gladbury.

The villagers discover that he preaches about a different kind of miracles, and his formula consists of good deeds and acts of kindness.

However, David's quest to modernize Gladbury sets him at odds with the old-world Chandler Edward Haddington (Sylvester McCoy) but he finds an unlikely ally in the lovely sceptic, Emily Barstow (Samantha Barks).

David also tries to replace the candles in the church with electric light but things go amiss while the Chandlers wife Bea Haddington (Lesley Manville) is unable to find the Christmas Candle.

So when the candle maker fights to preserve the legacy of the Christmas Candle and David Richmond tries to embrace modernization, the miraculous and human collide in the most astonishing Christmas the village of Gladbury have ever witnessed.

CHRISTMAS CANDLES – A SIGN

There is a popular belief that candles are used at Christmas as a remembrance of people at the time of Jesus Christ's birth.

These people are said to have put lighted candles in their windows as a signal to Mary and Joseph that they would be welcome in their homes.

THE CHRISTMAS CAKE

 

Christmas fruit cake is derived from the famous English Christmas or plum pudding.

The recipe was much simpler with fewer ingredients although it included large quantities of candied fruit, raisins, dates and nuts and is generally prepared long in advance of Christmas and is liberally laced with Brandy.

Like plum pudding it would originally have been flaming when served but in time this changed and soon the cakes were being decorated with marzipan and icing instead.

WHEN RUDOLPH HAD AN UPSET STOMACH

 

When Rudolph had an upset stomach

It was one of Santa little helpers

Who came to the sick Reindeers rescue

And gave him some Elka-seltzer

CHRISTMAS CANDLES – A DIVINE LIGHT

 The lighting of candles during religious festivals precedes Christianity by many centuries originally part of pagan ritual practiced by early sun worshippers. When Christianity was well established the church tried in vain to eradicate the ritual use of candles.

Then in the spirit of “if you can’t beat them join them” they gradually incorporated the lighting of candles into Christian services.

The candles were invested with a new meaning and they came to symbolize the divine light that illuminated the world, Christ.

THE HUMBLE MINCE PIE

 

The mince pie was originally oblong in shape which was supposed to symbolize the cradle of Christ.

The pie was covered with a thick crusty pastry cover which had an indentation in the center in which a small doll also made from pastry supposed to be the Christ child was placed.

The original mince pie was filled with minced lamb's tongue and mutton.

It wasn’t until returning medieval Crusaders brought back spices from the East which replaced the meat filling.

It was also at this time the pies became the familiar round shape.

Even though few people are aware of their origins the mince pie remains one of the most popular Christmas treats.