by Emily Branwell

Created on: December 10, 2008

While you may not have recognized the serious festivities which were considered commonplace traditions for the time, much of what Christmas looked like in medieval times directly influenced out Christmas traditions of today.

"Here we come a wassailing among the leaves the leaves so green!" In the medieval period Wassailing was an important tradition. A large bowl filled with a warm mixture of ale, honey and savory spices would be lifted high by any holiday host in honor of his companions. It would be drunk to their health and off they would all go to their next friend's house to drink to health again accompanied by loud singing and cavorting; much as we carol today.

Apples were used to decorate trees outside of churches in honor of what the middle age Christian's referred to as "Adam and Eve Day." And the Pagans believed in the power of the oak and the evergreen trees to provide hope for the new life in the spring. But it was the sixteenth century German culture which brought light to trees in the winter season. On Christmas Eve it was traditional for each village to carry a fir tree through the town to the center of the village where a communal meal would be had. The tree would have been decorated with paper flowers and shapes and when the meal was finished it would be ceremonial set ablaze.

Ivy was never used to decorate churches as it was associated with a roman god but holly was everywhere present. It was believed by the medieval church that the red holly berries had been colored white until the blood of Christ turned them red. Pagans also used holly, ivy and mistletoe as well to decorate during the winter months. They believed them to be the homes of fairies and special spirits which could be bring good luck and peace to their homes.

Nativity plays put on by local churches were very popular during this time though carols were not seen in a positive light. It wasn't until later that they were accepted as an appropriate form of holiday entertainment for the Christmas celebrating community.

And of course there was food. Feasts were had in all cultures. Goose was the most popular main course at the time and there were numerous types of pies of puddings made with seasonal ingredients for the time. It was a very cold time of year and so much of the food was seasoned with warming spices.

These are only a few examples of the ways in which Medieval Christmas traditions have in some ways become twenty first century traditions.

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