National Wear a Christmas Jumper day on Friday

[MiK1138]

For all your Christmas Jumper needs
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/cyc...-tops?cm_re=mmcycling-_-Clothing-_-Jerseytops

 

[Tin Pot]

In that case I'm staying indoors, alone, all day....

I'm cynical and suspect this announcement hasn't actually changed your plans at all!

 

[Markymark]

That's one theory about why December 25 was chosen in 338AD - and it's a commonly held one, although it actually has little basis, other than Saturnalia and the solstice happening to occur around the time.

It's more likely that Pope Julius I declared 25 December as the day on which the birth of Christ would be celebrated as it happened to coincide with Hannukah - the Jewish festival of light - and Christ was considered the light of the world.

Sorry but presents, feasts, trees, mistletoe , winter solstice all points towards paganism for me.

 

[srw]

Sorry but presents, feasts, trees, mistletoe , winter solstice all points towards paganism for me.

Presents are Christian - it's the Epiphany story (the three wise men bring presents to the infant Jesus). Feasting is universal, and the whole of Christianity is built around a symbolic feast. Trees and mistletoe, as Reg points out, are Victorian imports from Germany. And winter solstice festivities are universal, dating back way into prehistory.

"Paganism" as we know it today is basically a Victorian invention. It's an embellishment of a misunderstanding of Roman texts about druids applied to a word that means "not to do with a city", and came to mean simply "not Christian".

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

The majority of the simpletons at my work are currently having a "secret Santa" event. I am abstaining.

 

[John the Monkey]

Paganism's ok, but watch out for the bees.

 

[keithmac]

I thought it was just an excuse to spend a sh1t load of money on tat and drink excessive amounts of Baileys?.

 

[Chris S]

Keep those two pounds rolling in, Save the Children need to find the money for their six figure salaries from somewhere.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...Charity-chiefs-huge-wages-reined-say-MPs.html

 

[numbnuts]

Maybe for next year

 

[Sandra6]

I have an image

I'm sorry

 

[ufkacbln]

I don't think the NHS would approve of me wearing my Christmas jumper at work.

But on Friday night, my ukulele group play at a care home, and I will be in a rather fetching elf T-shirt and matching hat.........

We are allowing this with a donation to the Trust charity

Basic hygiene rules such as "Naked below the elbow" still apply though

 

[ufkacbln]

Please tell me the real meaning of Christmas then? It'll be interesting to see if you go along the pagan traditions or the post imposed Christian traditions?

.... or the Post - Christian financial marketing and monetary customs?

 

[ufkacbln]

Trees, mistletoe, etc. is mainly Victorian embellishment... (as opposed to the Yule log and Santa Claus traditions which have much deeper roots).

There were a lot of other changes at the time as well.

One of the big issues was the "Romanisation" of the Anglican Service by introducing candles, Incense and vestments

 

[biggs682]

I'm sorry

did i say i was complaining

 

[tyred]

I'm happy to join in the festivities: