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Post by wireman on Dec 14, 2022 13:27:18 GMT
The discussion for today is Christmas by Washington Irving
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Post by wireman on Dec 14, 2022 14:29:53 GMT
This is a delightful sketch about the joys of Christmas. It's very descriptive and shows great appreciation for the customs. I like how Irving contrasted Christmas with the dreary weather of the season.
"But in the depth of winter, when nature lies despoiled of every charm, and wrapped in her shroud of sheeted snow, we turn for our gratification to moral sources."
Even way back then, there were complaints of Christmas becoming to modern 
"One of the least pleasing effects of modern refinement is the havoc it has made among the hearty old holiday customs."
I also read this about Washington Irving:
But Irving wrote much more about yuletide—so widely and imaginatively, in fact, that he’s often credited with creating Christmas in America as we know it.
“He did not ‘invent’ the holiday,” biographer Andrew Burstein notes, “but he did all he could to make minor customs into major customs—to make them enriching signs of family and social togetherness.”
Among Irving’s biggest contributions to Christmas in America was his promotion of St. Nicholas as a beloved character, laying the groundwork for the figure we’d eventually embrace as Santa Claus.
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Post by wireman on Dec 14, 2022 14:32:52 GMT
Irving’s affection for Saint Nicholas proved durable. In 1835, he helped found the Saint Nicholas Society of the City of New York, serving as its secretary until 1841. Beyond his interest in Nicholas, Irving advanced Christmas as the festive pageant of presents and feasting that now dominates the American winter calendar.
The above quote is from this very interesting article on Irving and Christmas
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Post by spideyman on Dec 14, 2022 18:30:20 GMT
Perfect story for the season. Loved all the connections to traditions. Enjoyable and relaxing reading while sitting by a Christmas trees.
Thank you for the additional link.
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Post by wireman on Dec 15, 2022 14:28:38 GMT
For next Wed we will discuss Christmas at Red Butte by Lucy Maud Montgomery
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