This was really interesting, Ralfy. I was not aware of the ban of Christmas in the church of Scotland, but I know well the Calvinist mentality. I'm a bit older than you so in our lifetime we have seen dramatic chages in cultural norms. I love the holidays and feel people need occasions to celebrate and focus on the positive, our blessings, and be grateful. I wish you a blessed new year in 2024.
You, Jordan B. Peterson and myself were all born in 1962 and this really was a historical eyeopener. Growing up in Northern Canada we always looked forward to Christmas. My Brother and I got two toys a year. One on our birthday's and one on Christmas day. For us that was just magical. Merry Christmas & a Blessed New Years to You :)
You are a very very wise cookie ralfy , I am dumfounded by the breadth of your knowledge (your idiosyncratic spelling has not stopped you from reading, and learning from the scientists and philosophers throughout the ages!) and so much worldly knowledge and depth of understanding of the human condition, and from that a way looking comfortale within your own skin because you know when to be humurous and social and when to rise to potential conflict being unafraid avoiding some situations and using your whimsical , witty yet vigilant character to defuse others. your weight training gives you confidence amongst those who would try to put you down, isle of man seems a breath of fresh air beautiful hills and the chance of genuine community in a place not ridiculously urbanised like London where I am. I imagine your spirit has a chance to lift in so much natural environment with northern people who give you time of day without huge population density where living fast and showing off is normal in london. I think I need to move!
I'm just a couple of years younger than your good self Ralfy. I have fond memories of being reminded that Christmas not long before I emerged into this mortal coil, hadn't been a holiday & that new year's day, depending on what day it fell, was the only actual holiday. An old neighbour used to use a gàidhlig word to describe a new years day that fell on a Sunday, can't remember what it was, but it wasn't too complementary ;)
Hogmanay isn't 'pagan' at all - the first reference to it is actually from England (Yorkshire) in 1444. And the word is probably derived from the French 'aguillanneuf' which referred to a New Year visiting and gift giving custom - a description which fits the 15th to 17th century custom in England and Scotland. There is no evidence anywhere of 'first footing' before the 1800's.
