Forgive me for deviating a little from the usual theme of these weekly newsletters, and even more so for publishing a full day ahead of schedule. Today is the day in mid-winter that brings an opportunity for a quiet and determinedly non-commercial celebration.
It is 21 December and the Winter Solstice. From this point onwards, the days get longer and we can be reassured that in a few months it will be spring again - isn’t that something to celebrate? It certainly seems more meaningful than what happens in a few days.
Throughout history this has been one of the few events that are universally shared around the globe, but for cultural reasons the precise form of that celebration has differed enormously. In western cultures most people have their big party a few days later on Christmas Day and sadly let the solstice pass without recognition.
More and more over the years we have felt ourselves divorced from the forced jollity and garish commercialization of the 25th - we are not religious, the whole child in the manger thing is for other people … though the classical music repertoire it brings is very fine. Once you get away from the church events, assuming that you are one of the dwindling number who go to church, then the events on the 25th have become grossly commercialized and tacky. There is money to be made - so pile it on.
Hence, four days before those gatherings, today in fact, J and I choose to sit down quietly and mark the turning of the year with food and wine and candles and certainly good music. This evening we will raise several glasses to you, all of you, relatives, friends, acquaintances across the globe and we will wish you a Good Yule and a happy, healthy and prosperous life in the year ahead. We will welcome the turning of the year and the start to lengthening days and eventually the return of spring.
On Christmas Day, our very secular observation of the day - and we do mark it, despite the above - will include, as it has for many years, starting the day by listening to the Tallis Singers perform the Chant for the First Mass of Christmas according to the Salisbury Rite. This would have been celebrated after midnight on Christmas Eve, and was known as the Missa in gallicantu - the Mass at Cockcrow. Religious or not this is one of the great musical achievements of all time. Bach’s magnificent Christmas Oratorio will follow. No need to go to church to appreciate this music - the link below will get you started .
Coffee and Cakes
We are also adopting some of the St-Lucia celebrations in a small and personal manner even if the 13th, a week ago, was officially her special day. This is undoubtedly cultural appropriation as we are not Scandinavians. We don’t have a daughter to dress in white and offer us baked goods and coffee while wearing a crown of candles, but we can shift for ourselves in these matters and will have the white candles and, importantly, the cakes and coffee anyway but today, on the 21st. We just like the idea and there’s nothing wrong with adapting and building your own traditions … especially if they include cake.
I missed this missive from you during my family's tumult during that time with my only remaining sister in hospital. But I do appreciate your good wishes and I'd like to think that the sentiments peculiar to each celebration in the yearly round of holidays- those sentiments can be reproduced on any day of the year in full and shouldn't be inappropriate. So I can lift a glass of yuletide cheer on Guy Fawkes and it wouldn't be amiss. Holiday sentiments ought be universal
Happy January 17th day to you, dear Richard! The gesture proper to this day at my dilapidated little shack is a breakfast with warmed cherry scones and cinnamon cocoa!
Thanks for the link to the Tallis music - I hadn't heard this before, and it's absolutely lovely. Happy Yule!