Christmas in the Middle Ages

By Janay Miller

Although through the years we have determined Christmas to be largely a Victorian development, many customs and rituals can be dated back to the medieval ages. It was not until the late middle ages that the celebration of the birth of Christ began to receive any large amount of recognition. Until then, the more popular festival was the celebration of the Twelfth Night. During the twelfth century, however, with the rise of the cult of the Virgin Mary, the trend moved away from focusing the emphasis on local saints and made a discernible surge toward focusing on the Holy Family. Throughout the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries cycle plays erupted on the scene, focusing on the life of Christ and including elaborate stages of the nativity. As a result of these plays, the widespread popularization of the Christmas story began in England. Interestingly, however, the celebrations began as a midsummer tradition, presented during Corpus Christi Day that was between May 21 and June 24. Gradually the emphasis shifted from the Christmas story and was redirected Christmas itself. Holly, ivy, laurel, and other evergreens began to be used as metaphors for the infant Christ. Gifts were given between neighbors and families. Wreaths were used as decor. However, contrary to the scene in The Lion in Winter, in which a huge decorated Christmas tree was displayed, decorated trees were not included in the tradition until much later. Throughout the Christmas season during the middle ages there was an innate sense of good cheer and well being. Houses were opened to friends and neighbors and various celebratory customs occurred. one of the most popular customs being "mumming," in which revelers put on masks and accompanied minstrels traveling from house to house. Another custom during this time was the appointment of the Lord of Misrule. This appointment seemed to follow earlier pagan rituals. The Lord of Misrule dressed ostentatiously and led revelers on wild nighttime processions through the town. During Christmas time in the middle ages, it is apparent that the emphasis was placed on celebrations and happiness. It was then, just as it is now, a welcome escape from everyday cares. Ashton, John. A Righte Merrie Christmasse. New York: 1968. Carroll-Clark, Susan. on Christmas in the Middle Ages." NetSERF: 1994.

 

Christmas in the Middle Ages"      중세의 성탄절

 

Although through the years we have determined Christmas to be largely a Victorian development, many customs and rituals can be dated back to the medieval ages.

우리는 크리스마스가 빅토리안 시대에 시작됬다고 확신하고 있지만 많은 풍습과 예식은 중세까지 거슬러 올라갈수 있다.

 

 It was not until the late middle ages that the celebration of the birth of Christ began to receive any large amount of recognition.

중세 말이 되어서야 그리스도의 탄생을 경축하는것이 많은 사람들에게 인정되게 되었다.

Until then, the more popular festival was the celebration of the Twelfth Night.

이때까지 더 대중적이었던 행사는 12일째 밤 행사 였다.

During the twelfth century, however, with the rise of the cult of the Virgin Mary, the trend moved away from focusing the emphasis on local saints and made a discernible surge toward focusing on the Holy Family.

12세기에 동정녀 마리아에 대한 믿음이 생기면서 지역의 성인들에게 촛점을 맞추던 사상이 거룩한 가족에 촛점을 맞추는 것으로 옮겨지는 현상이 생겼다.

Throughout the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries cycle plays erupted on the scene, focusing on the life of Christ and including elaborate stages of the nativity.

14세기와 15세기에 걸친 순회 연극은 그리스도의 삶과 그의 상세하게 만들어진 그의 탄생의 이야기를 폭발적으로 나타내게 되었다.

 

As a result of these plays, the widespread popularization of the Christmas story began in England.

이런 연극의 결과로 널리 알려진 크리스마스 이야기는 영국에서 시작되었다.

Interestingly, however, the celebrations began as a midsummer tradition, presented during Corpus Christi Day that was between May 21 and June 24.

흥미있는것은 이 경축행사는 한여름에 시작되었는데 그리스도의 몸의 날이었던 5월 21일과 6월 24일 사이에 공연되었다.

Gradually the emphasis shifted from the Christmas story and was redirected Christmas itself.

점진적으로 촛점은 크리스마스 이야기에서 크리스마스 자체로 옮겨지게 되었다.

Holly, ivy, laurel, and other evergreens began to be used as metaphors for the infant Christ.

호랑가시나무, 담쟁이덩굴, 월계수와 다른 늘 푸른 나무들은 아기 그리스도를 나타내는 상징으로 쓰여지게 되었다.

 

Gifts were given between neighbors and families. Wreaths were used as decor.

선물은 이웃간에 교환되었다.  화관들이 장식으로 사용되었다.

However, contrary to the scene in The Lion in Winter, in which a huge decorated Christmas tree was displayed, decorated trees were not included in the tradition until much later.

하지만 커다랗고 장식된 크리스마스 트리가 나오는 겨울사자의 장면과 대조적으로 장식된 트리는 이 전통에 나중에서야 포함되게 되었다.

Throughout the Christmas season during the middle ages there was an innate sense of good cheer and well being.

중세때 크리스마스 기간중에는 기쁨의 환희와 건강한 느낌이 있었다.

 

Houses were opened to friends and neighbors and various celebratory customs occurred.

집들은 친구와 이웃들에게 개방되었고 여러가지 축하하는 풍습이 생겼다.

One of the most popular customs being "mumming," in which revelers put on masks and accompanied minstrels traveling from house to house.

가장 인기있던 풍습은 "침묵"을 하는것으로 음유시인들을 데리고 마스크를 쓴 계시자들이 집에서 집으로 여행하는 것이다.

Another custom during this time was the appointment of the Lord of Misrule.

이기간에 있는 다른 행사는 악정의 제왕을 선정하는 것이다.

This appointment seemed to follow earlier pagan rituals.

이 선정은 이전에 있던 이교도의 의식을 따른듯하다.

The Lord of Misrule dressed ostentatiously and led revelers on wild nighttime processions through the town.

악정의 제왕은 화려한 옷을 입고 계시자들의 거친 야밤의 행진을 인도하는 것이다.

During Christmas time in the middle ages, it is apparent that the emphasis was placed on celebrations and happiness.

중세의 크리스마스 기간에는 축하와 행복이 중점을 이루었다.

It was then, just as it is now, a welcome escape from everyday cares.

지금과 같이 이것은 일상생활에서의 환영받는 도피였다.

Ashton, John. A Righte Merrie Christmasse. New York: 1968. Carroll-Clark, Susan. on Christmas in the Middle Ages." NetSERF: 1994