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celebrations
christmas
boxingday
easter
midday
martinmas
advent
halloween
michaelmas
pentecost
candlemas
hocktide
plowmonday |
From the 13th century the four week period before Christmas was celebrated as
Advent. Since it led up to the day of Christ's birth and the beginning of
Christianity, it was considered the beginning of the Church year also.
The autumn had long been a time for feasting because of the harvest and the
slaughtering of those animals which it would not be possible to feed over the
winter. It would be the last chance to enjoy such abundance before the hardships
of the winter months.
The Advent fast, though, was not as severe as the Lenten one and abstinance was
required only three days a week. Items to be excluded from the diet included
meat, cheese and fat as well as wine, and ale.
Advent is the coming of the Saviour, a holy season of the Christian church,
the period of preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Christ, or
Christmas. It is the beginning of the Christian year.
Celebrations
Christmas Boxing Day
Easter May Day
Martinmas Advent
Halloween Michaelmas
Pentecost Candlemas
Hock Tide Plow Monday
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