While a lot of of us rejoice modern 2012 – 2013 Christmas
traditions of ornament Christmas trees and to come for Santa, the Celts
celebrated the Winter Solstice. The Druids felt that the sun stood still for 12
days from Christmas Eve to January 6th. A Yule log was burned for glow on those
days. Its well-cooked remains protected the house for the rest of the year.
Mistletoe, a sign of fruitfulness, was hung in the home with other foliage as a
sign of life in the gloom.
The Scots believe that on Christmas Eve, a powerful fire
keeps mischievous elves from coming down the chimney. On Christmas Day, public
dance around bonfires while listening to bagpipes and enjoying oatmeal cake.
The largest celebrations happen on Hogmanay, New Year's Eve. These engage
"first footing", where the first person to set foot in a home in a
New Year is said to bring either good quality or bad luck, depending on their
hair color. The Night of Candles lights the way for the Holy family, first
footers, and Mummers. Mummers dressed in masks and travelled from house to
house for music and dancing. The home owners would have to guess who they were.
On New Year's Eve, they would circle residences beating on the walls to drive
out the old year while saying a extraordinary rhyme to demand entry for food
& drink
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