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Archiver > Scotch-Irish > 2009-11 > 1259446152


From: "Edward Andrews" <>
Subject: Re: [S-I] Scotch- Irish Christmas
Date: Sat, 28 Nov 2009 22:09:12 -0000
References: <799726E9EB0C42FEA0381B81199298EF@your55e5f9e3d2><29276350.9669751259441568497.JavaMail.root@sz0165a.westchester.pa.mail.comcast.net>
In-Reply-To: <29276350.9669751259441568497.JavaMail.root@sz0165a.westchester.pa.mail.comcast.net>


The one comment which I would add is I'm not sure about the New Year. It
wasn't until 1600 that the Scottish New Year began on 1st January (and not
until well into the 18th Century in England and Scotland. We know that there
were objections to keeping the New Year by 1612, but it is not clear what
they were doing.

The second comment is that the picture given by Margo Todd. In "The Culture
of Protestantism in Early Modern Scotland", Yale University Press 2002,
paints a picture where it would appear that there was no lessening of the
joy which people put into celebrating Yule, even as late as 1642. The
Authorities didn't like it, but that was in Aberdeen. What was it like in
the South East?

All right some kind of festival was kept. What was it? Really does it
matter, except historically. As we can't return to the thought patterns of
the 17th Century in their relationship with festivals - there is a really
big question about how Reformed Scotland was, and how Protestant or Reformed
the Scottish Settlers in Ireland really were there is little point in having
a pseudo party in which nothing is authentic.
It is far better to enjoy yourself within your own tradition and ignore
wild speculation of what happened in the past.
Edward

> -----Original Message-----
> From:
> [mailto:] On Behalf Of
>
> Sent: Saturday, November 28, 2009 8:53 PM
> To: ;
> Subject: Re: [S-I] Scotch- Irish Christmas
>
> Hi Carolyn, most likely they did not celebrate Christmas at
> all. The Puritans didn't. Many Calvinists didn't 'back then'.
> Celebrating Christmas was a popish, high church, Anglican
> kind of thing. Many of our modern day 'traditions' originated
> in the Victorian era or in England harken back to the
> Royalists after the Restoration of the Crown in the 1660s.
>
> My mother used to talk about her family conflict at Christmas
> time. Her mother was Irish and German, raised in a Lutheran
> environment. Big Christmases. What? What we do. These entered
> the English speaking universe thanks to Queen Victoria's
> German hubby!! So a tree with lots of decorations, food (the
> usual except a goose replaced the turkey). My grandfather's
> family were reformed Presbyterian. They didn't celebrate
> Christmas. Grandpa didn't get into it.
>
> My mother used to dread Thanksgiving as she was a Depression
> child. Grandpa went out on the back porch and shot something.
> What he shot, you ate. Now this did cause a bit of praying.
> It didn't always work, though. One year he shot a possum and
> they had to eat that. Maybe someone has a good possum recipe,
> but my grandmother didn't. No doubt she was wishing she was
> back home at her German grandparents eating something good
> that she didn't have to cook and that tasted good.
>
> Not having a 'real' Christmas tradition never stop the
> Yankees from having a good time -- so perhaps follow suit
> <grin>!!! Whatever you do, it'll be more enjoyable than what
> your ancestors did.
>
> Have a Sturbridge Village Christmas:
> http://www.osv.org/activities_events/event_calendar_more.html?
> ID=270&DateID=991
>
> This is what the Yankees are doing to make some money despite
> having Yankee ancestors. Yule log! My heavens, how pagan.
> John Knox would not have approved, I fear.....
>
> Linda Merle
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Carolyn Shearer" <>
> To:
> Sent: Monday, December 28, 2009 3:30:24 PM GMT -05:00
> US/Canada Eastern
> Subject: [S-I] Scotch- Irish Christmas
>
> Does anyone know a good reference about Scotch Irish
> Christmas traditions?
> Our local DAR chapter has taken over the care of the Rocky
> Spring Presbyterian Church in Letterkenny Twp, Franklin
> County, PA. We plan to have it open as part of a house tour
> next Saturday (Dec 6th). Someone mentioned "Williamsburg
> type" decorations but I find it hard to believe they would be
> appropriate. The current building was erected about 1786 and
> has never been remodeled. We had to put in electricity just
> to have a security system. Still no heat or lights. The pews
> are the box type and the floor is the original brick. Any
> help appreciated. Carolyn
>
>
>
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