Merry Saturnalia!

Pat here, wishing all a wonderful holiday season!

While you’re wallowing in gifts and possibly debt from buying them, remember that the partying, gift-giving season most likely started with the Roman’s Saturnalia, a celebration of agricultural bounty in honor of the god Saturn, and quite possibly co-mingled with a celebration of the solstice from earlier times since the dates of the celebration fell between Dec 17-23^rd.

Several other religious celebrations also mark the end of the year with gift-giving, such as the Jewish festival of lights Hanukkah or the Hindu celebration of Pancha Ganapati in honor of Lord Ganesha. So the end of year tradition was well-established before Santa Claus took over.

But it was the Romans who really got into making sacrifices and wild partying, followed by private gift-giving. In their effusive generosity, the Romans treated even slaves as equals during these celebrations. Generally, the  gifts were of small value such as candles, figurines, and gag gifts. Apparently,  the lowlier the gift, the stronger the bond of friendship it represented. Some bosses often gave a gratuity to their clients or employees to help them purchase their gifts—the first version of the Christmas bonus.

As in everything, the Christian church usurped this holiday and made it about the Magi and the gifts to the Christ child. For good measure, they later threw in the tales of Saint Nicholas, a fourth-century bishop and gift-giver, so the pagan holiday became about gifts and goodwill toward men.

And then along came the poem about “The Night Before Christmas” and Santa handing out goodies to good children, and the novella by Dickens of A Christmas Carol telling us all to be good to our neighbors, and the merchants jumped in with both feet and marketed the heck out of gift-giving.

Did you enjoy your Saturnalia?

Comments

[Kareni]

While I don't celebrate Saturnalia, I have certainly enjoyed this season of family, gifts, and twinkling lights. All the best to you, Pat, and to the other Wenches and the readers here!

[Patricia Rice]

I don't think any of us actually celebrate Saturnalia these days, except for the party hardy folk who head out on New Years Eve . But it's interesting to see how all the different factors created today's holidays.

Happy Whatever Holiday to Everyone from here!

[Janice]

I don't care why we do it, I'm just glad we do. It is a chance to show family and friends how much we love them, in a tangible fashion. And it's something to look forward to all year :)

[Mary M.]

Mention of the original Bishop St. Nicholas reminded me of an oddity from my past. I was once in a chorale that performed the oratorio "St. Nicholas and the Pickled Boys." The story was that a village was starving and decided to slaughter and preserve some of its young boys to last out the winter. (I told you it was odd, didn't I?)

The villagers were later filled with remorse at the loss of their sons. Along comes Bishop Nicholas, who magically brings the boys to life again, and they gaily prance down the aisle of the church to the glee of the village worshippers. I hadn't thought about that experience (the concert, not the miracle—I'm old, but not THAT old) for, oh, sixty years? Some things are too odd ever to forget!

[Mary M.]

Mention of the original Bishop St. Nicholas reminded me of an oddity from my past. I once sang in a chorale that performed the oratorio "St. Nicholas and the Pickled Boys." The story was that a village was starving and decided to slaughter and salt down some of its youth to last them through the bitter winter. (I said it was odd, didn't I?) In hindsight, they of course lamented their decision.

Enter Bishop Nicholas, who magically brings the boys back to life. The villagers celebrate as the boys caper down the church aisle. Happy, happy, I guess.

I hadn't thought about that experience (the concert, not the pickling—I'm old, but not THAT old) in, oh, sixty years? Some things are just too odd to forget!

[Binnie Syril Braunstein]

Pat-I was fortunate to be in the company if wonderful friends in Boxing Day, which In region comes within in the time span of Saturnalia. It was a joy to have been hosted by one friend, all of us enjoying each other's food contributions, and celebrating just being in one another's company - in these days of still 'ware the pandemic. Happy, healthy and safe New Year to all the Wenches and Word Wenches readers .

[Patricia Rice]

and it's marvelous that most of the world agrees that this should be a time of love and giving!

[Annette N]

I have enjoyed the time from Thanksgiving to Christmas. Because of being able to connect with family and friends. It sounds as though the Romans had a great idea. We can remember the people about whom we care. And letting people know they are blessings in our lives...never grows old.

I hope that everyone finds 2022 to be filled with joy. I also hope that at some time in the next year the world will get a handle on that stupid covid stuff. When I think about all the families who have lost a loved one to covid, it makes me realize how very short and unexpected life is.

Y'all take care. I hope each of you is happy and safe and well.

[Patricia Rice]

!!!!! I've heard many legends about St Nick but that's not one of them. Pickled boys! I can see why it wouldn't be so popular.

[Patricia Rice]

A more civilized Saturnalia than the Romans tended to indulge in! I'm so glad you all had a chance to get together in this time of love and giving!

[Patricia Rice]

It's good to remember the world is a beautiful place filled with people we love. Let us all pray 2022 will see the end of these unnecessary deaths.

The Wenches are ever grateful for their readers.

[Karin]

I didn't get out much this holiday, but I enjoy giving gifts, especially to my nieces. The one gift my husband and got for ourselves was an exercise bike!
Thank you to the Wenches for continuing this blog for so many years. We've formed a lovely community of online friends, and I enjoy hearing about all of your lives!

[Patricia Rice]

an exercise bike is perfect for winter weather, congratulations on a great choice! And yes, giving is usually as much or more fun than receiving.

I love our community, and thank you for sticking with us!