Online Advent Calendar

December used to be the tenth month of the Roman year, and it gets its name from the word 'decem', which means ten.

The Anglo-Saxons called it 'Winter monath', or 'Yule monath' because of the custom of burning the yule log around this time. After many Anglo-Saxons became Christians they called it 'Heligh monath' or holy month, because Christmas, the birth of Jesus, is celebrated in December.

In the northern hemisphere December marks the beginning of winter, and it is the time of rain, wind and snow.

Christmas month

December is very much associated with Christmas and a lot of December customs and traditions have therefore been swallowed up by the festival.

Christmas, the mass of Christ, is held on 25th December and commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ 2000 years ago.

At the beginning of December, the season of Advent starts. The word advent means 'coming', and as its name suggests it is a time of preparation for the coming feast of Christmas.

We have a vast section on our website about Christmas and how it is celebrated in Britain. Find out more ....

Interesting Facts about Christmas

St Nicholas Day 6 December

This is the feast day of St Nicholas, Bishop of Myra in Asia Minor (now Turkey) in the 4th century AD. He is the patron saint of children.

In the Netherlands and neighbouring countries of Europe, St Nicholas is said to bring sweets and presents to well behaved children on 6 December. This tradition was imported to the USA by Dutch settlers, and St Nicholas evolved into Santa Claus, those gift-giving rounds are preformed later in the month. In this new incarnation he subsequently returned across the Atlantic to merge with the British Father Christmas.

Boy Bishops

It was formerly customary on St Nicholas Day to elect a boy bishop who would perform a juvenile version of the normal duties and ceremonies of this office, excluding the celebration of Mass, until Holy Innocents Day (28 December)

Lord of Misrule 17 December

In ancient Roman times, 17 December was the beginning of the festival of Saturnalia, in honour of the god of agriculture. It was originally just a day event but eventually grew into a seven day orgy of feasting and merrymaking, elements which later appeared in the Christmas, New Year and Twelfth Night celebrations in thee UK.

The Saturnalia was a holiday period for all including the slaves, who were waited on by their masters for the duration. Presents were exchanged, informal clothes worn and gambling games permitted. It was also customary to appoint a master of the revels, a character that reappeared in England as the Lord of Misrule, who formally presided over the Christmas celebrations, or over the entire period from All-Hallows Eve (31 October) to Candlemas (2 February).

The Winter Solstice (1st day of winter)

In the Northern Hemisphere, the Winter Solstice marks the first day of the season of winter. It falls on or near 21 December.

The Pagan celebration of Winter Solstice (also known as Yule) is one of the oldest winter celebrations in the world. It is a celebration of the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, when the North Pole is at its furthest point away from the sun (the sun is at its southernmost point in the sky).

Follow this link to read about the customs and traditions of the Winter Solstice

Holy Innocents Day - Childermass

Holy Innocents Day, also known as Childermas, falls on 28 December. It commemorates King Herod's massacre of all male infants in and around Bethlehem under the age of two in attempt to kill the young Christ.

In the days when Christmas was less child-centred, Childermas was a time for indulging children with treats and parties.

Unlucky

On a more sombre note, 28 December is widely regarded as the unluckiest day of the year, so don't do anything and certainly don't start anything on this day!

New Year's Eve

31st December is the last day of the year. It is New Year's Eve. Many people see the old year out with a party, welcoming in the New Year with toasts of champagne, and exchanging good wishes for a 'Happy New Year'.

Follow this link to read about and see photos of New Year's Eve customs and traditions

December Superstitions

"Marry on December third
For all the grief you ever heard "

A Christmas pudding should be made with 13 ingredients to represent Jesus and His Disciples and that every member of the family should take turns to stir the pudding with a wooden spoon from east to west, in honour of the Wise Men.

If you take a candle to church this Christmas, don't bring it home, blow it out and leave it there with the vicar for good luck.

"On Christmas Eve all animals can speak."
However, it is bad luck to test this superstition.

"The child born on Christmas Day will have a special fortune."

"Wearing new shoes on Christmas Day will bring bad luck."

"Good luck will come to the home where a fire is kept burning throughout the Christmas season. "

If a girl raps at the henhouse door on Christmas Eve and a rooster crows, she will marry within the year.

December Weather-lore, beliefs and sayings

A mild December precedes a cold snap later in the winter:
"A green December fills the graveyard"

"A clear star-filled sky on Christmas Eve will bring good crops in the summer."

"If sun shines through the apple trees upon a Christmas Day,
When autumn comes they will a load of fruit display."

"Snow on Christmas means Easter will be green."

"A green Christmas; a white Easter."

"If Christmas day be bright and clear
There'll be two winters in the year."

"The nearer the New Moon to Christmas Day, the harder the Winter."

"If New Year's Eve night-wind blows south,
It betokeneth warmth and growth;
If west, much milk, and fish in the sea;
If north, cold and storms there will be;
If east, the trees will bear much fruit;
If north-east, flee it, man and brute!"

December Festivals and Traditions

Advent and Advent Calendars

Christmas Eve

Christmas Day

Boxing Day

December Anniversaries

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