Christmas - did you know?

In ancient pagan times, the last day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere was celebrated as the night that the Great Mother Goddess gives birth to the baby Sun God. It is also called Yule, the day a huge log is added to a bonfire, around which everyone would dance and sing to awaken the sun from its long winter sleep.

The 25th of December is celebrated as the birth date of Jesus Christ. The Bible does not mention Christmas, and early Christians did not observe the birthday of Christ. Christmas as we know it became widely popular only in the 19th Century.

The word "carol" is derived from the old French word caroller, which means dancing around in a circle. It was derived from the Latin choraula, which in turn was derived from the Greek choraules.

The astronomer Kepler noted in the early 17th century that every 805 years, Jupiter and Saturn come into conjunction, with Mars joining the configuration a year later. Since Kepler, astronomers have computed that for ten months in 7BC, Jupiter and Saturn traveled very close to each other in the night sky, and in May, September, and December of that year, they were conjoined. Mars joined the configuration in February of 6BC.

In 1871, astronomer John Williams published an authoritative list of comets derived from Chinese annuals. Over March and April 5BC, Comet No. 52 on the Williams list appeared for some 70 days near the constellation Capricorn, and would have been visible in both the Far and Middle East. As each night wore on, the comet would seem to have moved westward across the southern sky. Comet No. 53 on the Williams list is a tailless comet - which could have been a nova - that appeared over March and April in 4BC in constellation Aquila, which was also visible all over the East.

26 December was traditionally known as St. Stephen's Day, after the first Christian martyr. It is now more commonly known as Boxing Day. This expression came about because money was collected in alms-boxes placed in churches during the festive season. This money was then distributed to the poor and needy after Christmas. Mistletoe is a symbol for peace and joy.

In the ancient times of the Druids: whenever enemies met under the mistletoe in the forest, they had to lay down their arms and observe a truce until the next day. From this comes the custom of hanging a ball of mistletoe from the ceiling and exchanging kisses under it as a sign of friendship and goodwill.

T.C.

New Year

This spring newsletter extends from New Year through to Easter. On the way it passes through the important Persian festival of Nowruz.

Nowruz literally means 'new day' in Farsi and marks New Year for many millions of people of Iranian/Persian cultural background. It is celebrated as a religious festival by Zoroastrians, Parsees in India and Bahais. It pre-dates Islam by hundreds of years but still has significance for many Muslims in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan and the Kurds of Turkey and Iraq. It is celebrated on March 21st, the spring equinox, which is a logical place to start a new year one might think! The celebration of Nowruz can involve the giving of presents, visits to friends and relations, making or buying new outfits and, of course, eating good food together. A good cleaning of the house is also carried out at Nowruz!

In 2008 Nowruz coincided with the great Christian festival of resurrection - Easter. It fell on Good Friday in fact. Easter being a moveable feast means east and west will not celebrate Spring together this coming year. Nevertheless, during that season both sides of what is increasingly seen as a divide will again experience the rising of life; magnolia and cherry will flower, swallow and cuckoo will return, the days will stretch out across the northern hemisphere.

Something to look forward to!

T.C.

One for your diary

The folk evening we had this year was a resounding success and was enjoyed by all. By popular request we are holding another.

It will be on the first Saturday in May - that's 2nd May 2009. Supper will be included in the £5 cost of the evening.

The performers will be Lynne Readett's husband, John, and his friend Terry.

Do come along for a hearty night out.

Oldham Unitarian Chapel founded in 1813

is open to all who wish to worship with an open mind,
in a spirit of freedom, reason and tolerance.

We do not all hold the same beliefs, rather each person is encouraged
'to develop his or her faith in a continuing search for truth.'

President: Mr T. Clarke
Treasurer: Mrs K.M. Pearson
Secretary: Mrs C. Hall

Unitarian Chapel
Connaught Street / King Street
Oldham
OL8 1 EB
Tel: 0161 620 1810

Lettings Officer: Mrs M. Nuttall – Tel: 0161 287 3371

Registered Charity No. 1111295