Happy Old New Year
Old Christmas still celebrated in UK
Foula is an island one hundred miles or so north-east of Scotland. It is the home of around 30 people and hundreds of sea birds.
Foula remained under Norse law until the late 16th century and was, until the 19th century, the last holdout of the ancient Norse language of Norn.
When the rest of Great Britain replaced the Julian calendar with the modern Gregorian calendar in 1752, the country’s most remote areas kept the old calendar.
Today, it’s just Foula that stubbornly sticks with it: Since the leap year of 1900, Foula islanders have celebrated Christening on January 6 and New Year’s Day, or Newerday, on January 13.
This practice, known as “Old Christmas," is one that has been around for centuries and it turns out, there is a special religious reason for celebrating the holiday late.
The main reason Old Christmas is celebrated has to do with the difference between the Julian and Gregorian calendars.
The Julian calendar was first adopted by the Roman Empire in 46 BC, but it was replaced by the more precise Gregorian calendar in 1582 AD. Despite this update, many Christians still observed the old Julian calendar when calculating the dates of religious festivals, such as Christmas.
According to the Julian calendar, Christmas falls on January 7th, 12 days after December 25th in the Gregorian calendar.
This discrepancy is why some Christians still celebrate Old Christmas. While there is no official church decree mandating the practice, it is observed mainly by churches that are affiliated with the Eastern Orthodox tradition and some Catholic and Anglican communities.
In some parts of the world, Old Christmas has become a cherished family tradition. Celebrations typically involve a special dinner and the exchange of gifts, similar to those found in a traditional December Christmas celebration.
However, in some areas there are also additional traditions and customs that are associated with Old Christmas. For instance, some Eastern Orthodox churches ceremonially commemorate the Adoration of the Magi on this day.
For many Christians, the idea of celebrating Christmas twice is a novelty. It allows them to extend the spirit of the holiday season and take time to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas, even as the year comes to a close. Whether celebrated in December or in January, the important thing to remember is that Christmas is a holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and brings the joy of the season to all.
In contrast Yule has always been celebrated on the Winter Solstice.
Yule is an ancient celebration that predates Christianity.
The Winter Solstice, typically occurring on or around December 21st, has long been celebrated as Yule by many cultures who revere the natural cycle of the seasons.
As we know Yule is traditionally a time of family gathering, feasting, and gift-giving. In some areas, Yule is also associated with bonfires, and the burning of the Yule log as a symbol of new beginnings.
Yule activities usually vary between cultures. In some, it is a solemn religious celebration, while in others, it is an exuberant, festive event. Some communities also engage in traditional activities such as caroling, decorating a Yule tree, or setting up an altar.
Yule is a special time of year, a time to celebrate the miracle of life, and honour the natural cycles of nature. It is a period of renewal and rebirth, a reminder that winter will eventually give way to spring. By celebrating Yule and embracing its symbolism, we can find peace and joy amidst the darkness, and hope for a bright future.
The tradition of making New Year Resolutions
Making New Year Resolutions is a popular tradition of setting goals or intentions for the upcoming year.
It is believed to have originated in the Babylonian era and was a way of honouring the new year’s god, Marduk, who was thought to bring prosperity and good fortune to those who kept their vows. The modern-day tradition of making New Year Resolutions is an opportunity to reflect on one’s shortcomings in the past year and set goals for self-improvement.
The God Marduk and New Years Resolutions
In addition to making New Year Resolutions, some people honour the new year by celebrating the ancient god Marduk.
Alan /|\