Christmas is Coming!

Christmas marked each year with feasting, present-giving and family gatherings, is a wonderful wintertime celebration.  Much of its energy comes from the contrast with the season.  In the midst of bitter, cold weather and long, dark evenings, when trees and fields are bare, we celebrate with an orgy of rich food, presents, lights, noise and green leafy decorations.

Before Christianity, winter festivals were celebrated by the lighting of fires to welcome the New Year and banish the old.  The riotous Roman festivals of Saturnalia and New Year both contributed elements still found today, including the giving of presents, and the decorating of houses with greenery.

It was during Victorian times that the Christmas festival underwent a great regeneration, becoming a family event and a time to be enjoyed above all by children.  The inventive Victorians were responsible for introducing several seasonal elements into the celebration, including Christmas trees and cards, a jovial Father Christmas and even festive crackers with novelty bangs. 

In our modern, fast-changing world, Christmas provides a valuable link with the past.  It is a unique time of year when each family celebrates with its own customs and personal festive touches, ensuring that Christmas remains our most enduring and popular celebration.

Merry Christmas!

For US and UK residents this, regularly updated, lens will provide you with ideas, information, links, recipes and products to make this the best Christmas ever!