MB Civic

Editorial | Thursday, December 25, 2008 | The Boston Globe

“…In the 17th-century England from which the Puritans emigrated, Christmas was a multiweek bacchanal, according to Stephen Nissenbaum in his book ‘The Battle for Christmas‘. A remnant of the pre-Christian past that had been imperfectly tamed by the church, Christmas marked the time of year in agricultural society when work slowed, cattle were slaughtered, beer was brewed, and inhibitions were unfettered. Men would dress in women’s clothing, and vice versa. Crowds of singers would roam from house to house demanding food and drink. This custom is recalled today in songs about ‘wassailing’, a word from the 17th century that has lost its coercive connotation….”…BS

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2008/12/25/the_taming_of_christmas?mode=PF