Christmas Guide 2021

Thursday, November 11, 2021 31

Newbury Weekly News

CHRISTMAS GUIDE 2021 The meaning of the 12 days of Christmas

CHRISTMAS was at one time a marathon 12-day festival beginning on Christmas Eve and ending with Twelfth Night. In present times, only a few of these days are remembered formally. Depending on where you live however, some of the days are still kept as celebrations; the most important are listed below. December 24, Christmas Eve Holiest night of the year according to Christian tradition, when decorations are supposed to be put up, the tree trimmed, the Yule Log brought in and lit, and the final preparations made for the next day’s feast. In some countries it is considered a fast day and nothing is eaten at all until the end of the Christmas midnight Mass. December 25, Christmas Day It is celebrated in all Christian countries and is generally considered a family feast held privately in the home. December 26, St Stephen’s Day Two saints are commemorated on this day. The first is considered to be the first Christian martyr and the other Stephen was said to have lived in 9th century AD,

January 1, New Year’s Day Also St Basil’s Day. St Basil was a fourth-century priest and the day is most commonly celebrated in Greece where special Basil cakes are eaten. January 5, Epiphany Eve It is celebrated with a special Twelfth Night cake and presided over by an elected king and queen of the household. January 6, Epiphany This is the last day of the 12, and commemorates the arrival of the Magi at the stable at Bethlehem together with their various gifts. In Ireland the day is called Women’s Christmas, and it is believed that water in the household of a good woman, becomes wine between sunset on January 5 and sunrise on January 6. It also commemorates Christ’s baptism at the hand of St John the Baptist. On this day all decorations must be taken down on pain of bad luck for the rest of the year.

and to have been murdered by robbers in a forest in Sweden. This St Stephen is said to be the patron saint of horses because legend says his horse, having been stolen by his killers, escaped and returned to gather his master’s body which he bore away to the nearest monastery. In Sweden still, in some areas,

people feed consecrated bread to their horses on Boxing Day morning. December 27, Feast of St John One of the apostles. Where this day is now observed, it is spent visiting friends and relatives. In parts of Germany and

Austria, wine intended for drinking on this day is usually taken first to church to be blessed by the priest. December 28, Holy Innocent’s Day or Childermas This is the day that commemorates the massacre of infants by Herod in an attempt to get rid of any

possible rival. It is considered an unlucky day to get married or embark on any new enterprise. December 31, New Year’s Eve Also the Feast of St Sylvester, a Pope in the third century AD. In some European countries, his day is still celebrated.

Thursday 18 November to Friday 31 December

Eight Bells Community Strength is a charity that helps and supports West Berkshire residents to become part

of their local community through community groups and activities. Can you help? Become A Community Navigator. A Community Navigator is a fully trained volunteer. Our volunteers need: • local knowledge, • the ability to research what’s going on locally, • a friendly nature, • good listening skills, • the ability to connect with a range of people. Any one with the right a�tudes and quali�es can become a volunteer. Our coordinator is on hand to support you and you will also get cer�ficates for any training you complete. Volunteering in you local community can be very rewarding. You will signpost and support local people to take part in local groups or community-based ac�vi�es and by taking the �me to understand their needs and interests you will be able to help them to make new friends and networks, feel be�er and stay ac�ve. Sign up here h�ps://bit.ly/36fn3PV or to find out more, call Andrea on 07985 404 302 or email CS@eightbellsnewbury.co.uk h�p://eightbellsnewbury.co.uk/cs Community Navigator Fiona and Andrea at Educafe

A wild and captivating newmusical adaptation

Pyjama Performances! 5pm

By Rudyard Kipling Adapted and directed by Tom Jackson Greaves Tickets £25 - £12 |

Principal Sponsor

The Watermill Theatre & Restaurant, Bagnor, Newbury RG20 8AE