Once upon a time, Christmas, for the European Christians, was a 12-day holiday, from December 25th, Christmas Day, to January 6th, known as Epiphany, commemorating the arrival of the Magi at the manger where Christ was born. We even still have songs referring to that traditional celebration, yet it's no longer practiced.

Back in the "old days", say, a millenium or so ago, the lord of the manor would open his larder for the villagers at the bottom of the hill, that they could feast on what the rats would probably get anyway, or on what would likely spoil before it was eaten. That would ensure their allegiance in the spring when competing raiders from other regions would attempt to take over the farm lands, and forests, and would ensure there were bodies to plant and tend the fields, so there would, once again, be aplentiful harvest and lots of game in the forests.

During the winter holidays, the people would visit and check up on one another, seeing who was in need and attend to their need as was possible. Whatever happened to that notion?

RE