OLD YEARS NIGHT IN SCOTLAND

 

In Scotland Christmas has been celebrated with considerably less exuberance than elsewhere in the British Isles although that has changed latterly.

The Scots have always reserved their merriment for New Year's Eve, which they call Hogmanay.

The word Hogmanay is believed to derive from a kind of oatcake that was given to children on New Year's Eve as part of the tradition.

The “first footer” is the first person to set foot across the threshold in a house after midnight on New Year’s Eve.

The superstition is thought to profoundly affect the fortunes of the inhabitants it should if possible be a stranger preferably dark-haired but fair-haired is ok if that’s all you can get.

This tradition is generally known as "first footing."

ADOLPH HITLER REALLY LOVED CHRISTMAS

 

Adolph Hitler really loved Christmas

That much Is perfectly clear

He loved the sleigh and the team

But Blitzen was his favourite reindeer?

AN IRISH BOXING DAY

 

St. Stephen's Day in Ireland is celebrated in a different way but is similar to Boxing Day in other places in so much as it also has to do with the solicitation of money.

The Young men is extravagant dress with some of them wearing masks parade through the streets noisily in what is known as the Wren Boys' Procession.

The young men carry a long pole on top of which is attached a holly bush and the bush is supposed to contain a captured wren, and it’s for the wren’s sake the young men beg for money.

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR (2008)

 

A sweet and amusing holiday romantic comedy in which busy single mom Jennifer Cullen (Brooke Burns) finds that the overwhelming tasks that go along with Christmas have taken the joy out of the holidays for her.

Trying to find the must have gift for her son Brian (Connor Christopher Levins) and trying to provide a traditional Christmas Dinner for her almost fiancé Richard Windom (Woody Jeffreys) and his parents was driving her berserk.

Then her Uncle Ralph (Henry Winkler) arrives at her home with the young, handsome Morgan Derby (Warren Christie).

Morgan's love of Christmas, and life, is contagious and as Jennifer glumly navigates through the holidays, she soon realizes that what she has needed most of all in her life was suddenly right under her nose.

FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS SONG # 42 THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

 

Despite the general awfulness of the Christmas song there are however always exceptions to the rule, and I have a short list of personal favorites.

Without exception all my choices not only include the song but the best performer of that song and so in no particular order here is my forty second selection.

 

“The Twelve Days Of Christmas”

A traditional folk melody by English composer Frederic Austin

Performed by The Spinners

 

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me

A partridge in a pear tree

 

On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Two Turtle Doves

And a partridge in a pear tree

 

On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Three French Hens

Two Turtle Doves

And a partridge in a pear tree

 

 

On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Four Calling Birds

Three French Hens

Two Turtle Doves

And a partridge in a pear tree

 

On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Five Golden Rings

Four Calling Birds

Three French Hens

Two Turtle Doves

And a partridge in a pear tree

 

On the sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Six Geese A-laying

Five Golden Rings

Four Calling Birds

Three French Hens

Two Turtle Doves

And a partridge in a pear tree

 

On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Seven Swans A-swimming

Six Geese A-laying

Five Golden Rings

Four Calling Birds

Three French Hens

Two Turtle Doves

And a partridge in a pear tree

 

On the eighth day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Eight Maids A-milking

Seven Swans A-swimming

Six Geese A-laying

Five Golden Rings

Four Calling Birds

Three French Hens

Two Turtle Doves

And a partridge in a pear tree

 

On the ninth day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Nine Ladies Dancing

Eight Maids A-milking

Seven Swans A-swimming

Six Geese A-laying

Five Golden Rings

Four Calling Birds

Three French Hens

Two Turtle Doves

And a partridge in a pear tree

 

On the tenth day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Ten Lords A-leaping

Nine Ladies Dancing

Eight Maids A-milking

Seven Swans A-swimming

Six Geese A-laying

Five Golden Rings

Four Calling Birds

Three French Hens

Two Turtle Doves

And a partridge in a pear tree

 

On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Eleven Pipers Piping

Ten Lords A-leaping

Nine Ladies Dancing

Eight Maids A-milking

Seven Swans A-swimming

Six Geese A-laying

Five Golden Rings

Four Calling Birds

Three French Hens

Two Turtle Doves

And a partridge in a pear tree

On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Twelve Drummers Drumming

Eleven Pipers Piping

Ten Lords A-leaping

Nine Ladies Dancing

Eight Maids A-milking

Seven Swans A-swimming

Six Geese A-laying

Five Golden Rings

Four Calling Birds

Three French Hens

Two Turtle Doves

And a partridge in a pear tree

BRIGHT AND MORNING STAR

The star is eternally linked to Christmas and takes pride of place at the very top of the Christmas tree.

When we look at the star we should recall the star seen 'in the East' by the three wise men.

On Christmas Eve In ceremonies all over the world the Christmas celebration begins with the arrival of the first star.

In various traditional ceremonies from Poland to Alaska the Festival of the Star is celebrated in various forms.

The Christmas star is a powerful symbol to Christians in the Bible it is called "the bright and morning star."

THE FAMILY USED TO LIVE IN LOS ANGLES

 

The family used to live in Los Angles

Until just a few year ago

But we moved to Santa Monica

Because dad is Christmas crazy

And we had to live somewhere

That begins with the word "Santa."