Christmas in England

Christmas in England is one of the major festivals in England among all the local people. Christmas in England began in AD 596, when St Augustine landed on her shores with monks who wanted to bring Christianity to the Anglo Saxons.

It is when the Christians all over the world celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas in England hold a lot of significance among the Christian community in England. The word Christmas is derived from the English word Christ Masses which means Christ’s Mass. Christmas in England has a long historical background. It has been celebrated in England for hundreds of years. It is in fact Britain’s most popular festival.

One of England's customs is mumming. In the middle Ages, people called mummers put on masks and acted out Christmas plays. These plays are still performed in towns and villages. The English gift giver is called Father Christmas. He wears a long red or green robe, and leaves presents in stockings on Christmas Eve. However, the gifts are not usually opened until the following afternoon. In England the day after Christmas is called Boxing Day because boys used to go round collecting money in clay boxes. When the boxes were full, they broke them open. In England the traditional Christmas dinner is roast turkey with vegetables and sauces. For dessert it is rich, fruity Christmas pudding with brandy sauce. Mince pies, pastry cases filled with a mixture of chopped dried fruit.
It is cold, wet, and foggy in England at Christmastime. Families welcome the warmth and cheer of a Yule log blazing on the hearth. They decorate their homes with holly, ivy, and other evergreens and hang a mistletoe "kissing bough." Throughout the holidays, carols go from house to house at twilight ringing hand bells and singing Christmas songs. "The Holly and the Ivy" and "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" are their favourite carols. People give the carols treats, such as little pies filled with nuts and dried fruits.

MISTLETOE, considered sacred by the British Druids, was believed to have many miraculous powers. Among the Romans, it was symbol of peace, and, it was said that when enemies met under it, they discarded their arms and declared a truce. From this comes our custom of kissing under the mistletoe. England was the first country to use it during the Christmas season.

PRAJAKTA KAVDE

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