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Wassailing
At some time in the past the singing of Christmas carols was known as 'wassailing'. This term was applied to the custom of a group of people, mainly children, going from house to house and stopping in front of each house to sing a carol, in the hope they would receive a reward.
The word 'wassail' dates back to pre-Christian days and practices and is derived from the Anglo Saxon was hale which was an expression of a wish for good health. This toast was traditionally offered with a drink.
Those well wishers were not alone in the drinking of the toast each of the family members in the household would also share in the spirit of the toast referred to as true fellowship. After each person takes a sip, they were expected to top up the bowl.
There was much care taken to ensure that the wassail bowl remained full throughout the entire seson, from Christmas Eve to Twelfth Night, in the hopes that it would ensure the continuity of good cheer throughout this festive season.
Wassailing was not just done to foster goodwill, but, more for the concern to see nature renew itself after the harsh winter months. Wassailing was believed to magically bestow fertility on the recipient, whether it was a man, a tree or a beast.
Carol singing
The reason why people started singing at Christmas time came from the idea that angels sang when they appeared to the shepherds at Bethlehem to announce Jesus Christ's brith.
The meanning of a carol in the present day is much different to the original one. Once a carol was a secular dance which was performed at any time of the year. People danced around in a circle holding hands and singing songs.
The dance reminded onlookers of a coronet so they called it a 'carol'. The name was transferred later on from the dance to the song itself. Carols by the 16th century were sung only at Christmas time. The subject also related to Christmas.
At one stage the Christmas carols were only sung by the bishop and clergy in church. But became popular amongst the public and were soon sung in the streets and other public places. Carol singers tell the story of the birth of Christ in song during the days leading up to Christmas.
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