From the Diaries of Samuel Pepys 1660-1669
25. Christmas Day [1660] In the morning to church, where Mr Mills made a very good sermon. After that home to dinner, where my wife and I and my brother Tom (who this morning came to see my wife's new mantle put on, which doth please me very well) - to a good shoulder of Mutton and a Chicken. After dinner to church again, my wife and I, where we have a dull sermon of a stranger which made me sleep; and so home; and I, before and after supper, to my Lute and Fullers History, at which I stayed all alone in my Chamber till 12 at night; and so to bed.
25. Christmas Day [1661] In the morning to church, where at the door of our pew I was fain to stay, because that the Sexton had not opened the door. A good sermon of Mr Mills. Dined at home all alone. And taking occasion, from some fault in the meat, to complain of my maid's Sluttery, my wife and I fell out, and I up to my Chamber in a discontent. After dinner my wife comes up to me and all friends again; and she and I to walk upon the leads; and then Sir W. Pen called us and we went to his house and supped with him. But before supper, Capt. Cock came to us half-drunck and began to talk; but Sir W. Pen, knowing his humour and that there was no end of his talking, drinks four great glasses of wine to him one after another, healths to the King &c., and by that means made him drunk, and so he went away; and so we sat down to supper and were merry; and so after supper home and to bed.
25. Christmas Day [1662] Up pretty early, leaving my wife not well in bed. And with my boy walked, it being a most brave cold and dry frosty morning, and had a pleasant walk to Whitehall; where I had entended to have received the Communion with the family, but I came a little too late. So I walked up into the house and spent my time looking over pictures, perticularly the ships in King H the 8ths voyage to Bullen-marking the great difference between their build then and now. By and by down to the Chappell again, where Bishop Morly preached upon the Song of the Angels. "Glory to God on high - on earth peace, and good will towards men." Methought he made but a poor sermon, but long and reprehending the mistaken Jollity of the Court for the true joy that shall and ought to be on these days. Perticularized concerning their excess in playes and gameing, saying that he whose office is to keep the Gamesters in order and within bounds serves but for a second rather in a Duell, meaning the Groome porter. Upon which, it was worth observing how far they are come from taking the Reprehensions of a Bishop seriously, that they all laugh in the chapel when he reflected on their ill actions and courses. The sermon done, a good Anthemme followed, with vialls; and then the King came down to receive the Sacrament, but I stayed not; but calling my boy from my Lord's lodging and giving Sarah some good advice, by my Lord's order, to be sober and look after the house, I walked home again with great pleasure; and there dined by my wife's bedside with great content, having a mess of brave plum-porridge and a roasted Pullett for dinner; and I sent for a mince-pie abroad, my wife not being well to make any herself yet. After dinner sat talking a good while with her, her [pain] being become less, and then to see Sir W. Penn a little and so to my office; practicing arithmetique alone with great content, till 11 at night; and so home to super and to bed.
25. Christmas. [1663] Lay Long, talking pleasantly with my wife; but among other things, she begin, I know not whether by design or chance, to enquire what she should do if I should by an accident die; to which I did give her some slight answer, but shall make good use of it to bring myself to some settlement for her sake, by making a Will as soon as I can. Up, and to church, where Mr Mills made an ordinary sermon, and so home and dined with great pleasure with my wife, and all this afternoon, first looking out at window and seeing the boys playing at many several sports in our back-yard by Sir W. Pens, which minded me of my own former times; and then I begin to read to my wife upon the globes, with great pleasure and to good purpose, for it will be pleasant to her and to me to have her understand those things. In the evening to the office, where I stayed late reading Rushworth, which is a most excellent collection of the beginning of the late quarrels in this kingdom. And so home to supper and to bed with good content of mind.
25 December [1664] Lords day and Christmas Day. Up (my wife's eye being ill still of the blow I did in a passion give her on Monday last) to church alone-where Mr. Mills, a good sermon. To dinner at home, where very pleasant with my wife and family. After dinner, I to Sir W. Batten's and there received so much good usage (as I have late done) from him and my Lady, obliging me and my wife, according to promise, to come and dine with them tomorrow with our neighbours, that I was in pain all the day, and night too after, to know how to order the business of my wife's not going. Thence to the French Church but coming too late, I returned and to Mr. Rawlinson's church, where I heard a good sermon of one that I remember was at Pauls with me, his name Maggett. And very great store of fine women there in this church, more than I know anywhere else about us. So home and to my chamber, looking over and setting in order my papers and books; and so to supper, and then to prayers and to bed.
25 December [1665] Christmas Day. To church in the morning, and there saw a wedding in the church, which I have not seen many a day, and the young people so merry one with another; and strange, to see what delight we married people have to see these poor fools decoyed into our condition, every man and wife gazing and smiling at them. Here I saw again my beauty Lethulier. Thence to my Lord Brouncker by invitation, and dined there - and so home to my lodgings to settle myself to look over and settle my papers, both of my accounts private and those of Tanger, which I have let go so long that it were impossible for any soul, had I died, to understand them or ever come to any good end in them. I hope God will never suffer me to come to that disorder again.
25 December [1666] Christmas Day. Lay pretty long in bed. And then rise, leaving my wife desirous to sleep, having sat up till 4 this morning seeing her maids make mince pies. I to church, where our parson Mills made a good sermon. Then home, and dined well on some good ribbs of beef roasted and mince pies; only my wife, brother, and Barker, and plenty of good wine of my own; and my heart full of true joy and thanks to God Almighty for the goodness of my condition at this day. After dinner I begun to teach my wife and Barker my song, It is decreed - which pleases me mightily, as now I have Mr. Hinxton's bass. Then out, and walked alone on foot to Temple, it being a fine frost, thinking to have seen a play all alone; but there missing of any Bills, concluded there was none; and so back home, and there with my brother, reducing the names of all my books to an Alphabet, which kept us till 7 or 8at night, and then to supper, W. Hewer with us, and pretty merry; and then to my chamber to enter this day's journal only, and then to bed.
Taken from: Pepys Diary 1660-1669
Published by: The Folio Society. London 1996
Selected and edited by Robert Latham
And you will have to be an "old misery" not to enjoy this.
Goodwill To Men Give us Your Money
It was Christmas Eve on a Friday
The shops was full of cheer,
With tinsel in the windows,
And presents twice as dear.
A thousand Father Christmases,
Sat in their little huts,
And folk was buying crackers,
And folk was buying nuts.
All up and down the country,
Before the light was snuffed,
Turkeys they got murdered,
And cockerels they got stuffed.
Christmas cake got marzipanned,
And Puddin's they got steamed,
Mothers they got desperate,
And tired kiddies screamed.
Hundredweights of Christmas cards,
Went flying through the post,
With first class postage stamps on those,
You had to flatter most.
Within a million kitchens,
Mince pies was being made,
On everybody's radio
"White Christmas", it was played.
Out in the frozen countryside,
Men crept round on their own,
Hacking off the holly,
What other folks had grown,
Mistletoe in willow trees,
Was by a man wrenched clear,
So he could kiss his neighbour's wife,
He'd fancied all the year.
And out upon the hillside,
Where the Christmas trees had stood,
All was completely barren,
But for little stumps of wood.
The little trees that flourished
All the year were there no more,
But in a million houses,
Dropped their needles on the floor.
And out of every cranny, cubpoard,
Hiding place and nook,
Little bikes and kiddies' trikes,
Were secretively took,
Yards of wrapping paper,
Was rustled round about,
And bikes were wheeled to bedrooms.
With the pedals sticking out.
Rolled up in Christmas paper,
The Action Men were tensed,
All ready for the morning,
When their fighting life commenced,
With tommy guns and daggers,
All clustered round about,
"Peace on Earth - Goodwill to Men"
The figures seemed to shout.
The church was standing empty,
The pub was standing packed,
There came a yell, "Noel, Noe!"
And glasses they got cracked.
From up above the fireplace,
Christmas cards began to fall,
And trodden on the floor, said:
"Merry Xmas, to you all."
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Taken from "Some Of Me Poetry" : Pam Ayres
Published by Galazy Records, London 1976
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James Woodforde
James Woodforde had a full life and part of it relates to his time as a country parson at Weston Longville in Norfolk. He took up his post in 1776 and died there on New Years Day in 1803. These extracts relating to Christmas are taken from his diary.
This being Christmas day I went to church this Morn' and then read Prayers and Administered the Holy Sacrament. Mr and Mrs Custance both at Church and both received the Sacraments from my Hands. The following poor old Men dined at my house to day, as usual, Js Smith, Clerk, Richd Bates, Richd Buck; Thos Cary; Thos Dicker; Thos Cushing; Thos Carr-to each besides gave 1/0- in all 0.7.0. I gave them for Dinner a Surloin of Beef rosted and plenty of plumb-Pudding. We had mince Pies for the first time to-day
December 25 [1784]
I read Prayers and administered the H. Sacrament this morning at Weston Church, being Christmas Day. Mrs Custance at Church and at the Sacrament. Mr Custance not there being ill at home. Js Smith, my Clerk, Richd Buck, Tho Cushing, Thos Carr, Richd Bates, Thos Dicker, and Thos Cary, all dined at my House as usual on Christmas Day, I gave to each of them a Shilling to carry home to their Wives before they went away-in all-0.7.0 I gave them for Dinner a Piece of roast Beef and plumb Puddings-and after dinner half a pint of strong Beer apiece. N.B. All Old Men.
25th. [1788]
I read Prayers and administered the H. Sacrament this morning at Weston Church being Xmas Day. For an Offering at the H.Sacrament gave 0.2.6. Mr and Mrs Custance at Church and at the H. Sacrament. Before I went to Church this Morning Nancy and Betsy Davy went off in a Norwich Chaise which came to my House by 7'oclock this morning for Norwich to meet Mr and Mrs Walker at the Kings Head, and there they dined, but returned home to Tea in the Afternoon and Mr Walker with them. Mr Walker supped and slept here. Js Smith, my Clerk, Thos Cary, Thos Carr, Richd Buck, John Peachman, and Nath, Heavers had their Christmas Dinner and each 1s 0d --0.6.0. Poor old Richd Buck and old John Peachman being both Lame, could not come to my House to dinner, so I sent their Dinner to them, &c. Sent also a Dinner to the poor Girl Betty Deeker
Sunday and Xmas Day. This being Christmas I walked to Church this Morning and read Prayers and administered the Holy Sacrament to 22 Communicants. Gave for an Offering at the Altar 0.2.6. None from Weston House at Church this Morn' the Weather being very cold, wet and windy and extreme bad Walking, being all Ice under. My foot extremely painful, hard Matter to get to and from Church, but thank God I went thro' it all better than I expected. The following old Men dined at My house being Christmas Day and each had a Shilling apiece to carry home to their Wives, 0.6.0 James Smith, Thomas Carey, Thomas Carr, Christopher Dunnell,, Nathaniel Heavers, and John Peachman. Dinner to day Surloin of Beef rosted, plumb Pudding and mince Pies. My large Wax Candle lighted up as usual for one Hour (being Christmas Day) in the Evening. It froze again sharp this Evening. Thank God my foot was much better at Night. I laid my Foot up in a Chair almost all the Aft.
25th [1792]
Wednesday also Christmas Day. We breakfasted, dined &c. again at home. This being Christmas Day I walked to Church this morning, read Prayers and administered the Holy Sacrament, gave for an Offering 0.2.6. Ha a very sespectable Apperance at the Altar to partake with me of the H. Sacrament, 2 Rails. The Singers sang the Christmas Anthem and very well, between the Litany & Communion. The following poor People dined at my House or had their dinner sent them & one shilling each--Widow Case, my Clerk Tom Thurston, Christopher Dunnell, John Peachman, Tom Carr and Nathaniel Heavers. Nat. Heavers & Tom Carr had their Dinners sent them being ill. Gave to the above People in all 0.6.0 Dinner to day, a boiled Rabbit and Onion Sauce, Surloin of Beef rosted, plumb Puddings and mince pies.
25th [1794]
Thursday, Xmas Day. We breakfasted, dined, &c. again at home. It was very cold indeed this Morning, and the Snow in many Places quite deep, with an E. Wind. About 11 this Morning I walked to Church and read Prayers & administered the Holy Sacrament. Had but few Communicants the weather so bad. Gave at the Altar for an Offering 0.2.6. Immediately after the Morning Service so far as before the administration of the H. Sacrament I was attacked with an Epileptic Fit, and fainted away in my Desk, but thank God ! soon recovered and went through the remaining part of my duty. Mr & Mrs Girling, Mr & Mrs Howlett, Mr St. Andrew, Mr Hardy &c. &c. were much alarmed and were very kind to Me, during the fit and after. The Weather being so severely cold, which I could never escape from feeling its effect at all times, affected me so much this Morning, that made me faint away, what I always was afraid of for some Winters past, having often had many fears. Mr Howlett after Service, very kindly offered to drive me home in his Cart, but as I was better I declined it, however hope that I shall not forget his civility. After Service was over, I walked in to Mr Stephen Andrew's House, and having warmed myself, I walked home and thank God, got home very well. Mr Stephen Andrews & Family behaved very kindly. After I got home and had something warm to drink, I soon got tolerably well, but could only eat some plumb Pudding & a few Potatoes. Nancy was much alarmed when she first heard of it. Eliz. Case. Widow, Ned Howes, Thos Atterton Senr. Christ. Dunnell, Robert Downing, and my Clerk Thos Thurston, all dined at my House to day being Christmas Day, & each had a Shilling 0.6.0. A very fine Sirloin of Beef rosted and plenty of plumb Puddings for dinner & strong beer after. Took some Rhubarb going to bed.
December 25 [1795]
Friday, Christmas Day. We breakfasted, dined, &c. again at home. This being Christmas-Day the following poor People dined at my House & had each one Shilling apiece given to them by me 0.6.0. Old Tom Atterton, Ned Howes, Robin Downing, old Mrs Case, old Cutty Dunnell, and my Clerk Tom Thurston. They had each a glass of strong Beer after they had dined. The Holy Sacrament was administered this morning at Weston Church by Mr Gorbould. It hurt me to think I could not do it myself , but suffering so much the last Christmas Day by the cold, am afraid since to go to Church during the Winter Season. Nancy might have gone, but did not. It turned out a very fine Day indeed, no frost. Dinner to day, a Surloin of Beef rosted, a fine Fowl boiled & bacon, & plumb Puddings.
25th [1801]
Friday. We breakfasted, dined, &c. again at home. Mr Dade read Prayers, Preached and administered the H. Sacrament this. Morn' at Weston Church, being Christmas-Day. None from Weston-House at Church to day. Old Thos Atterton, Robt Downing, Roger Sherwood, Eliz, Ward Widow and the Clerk William Large, dined at Weston-Parsonage to day, being Christmas-Day and had each in Money 1/0--5.0. Poor old Mary Heavers, Widow, , very old & infirm I sent her Dinner to her and likewise-0.1.0. Dinner to day Surloin of Beef rosted & plumb Puddings boiled for both Parlour & Kitchen. We had also in Parlour some mince Pies.
The Diary of a Country Parson
by The Revd. James Woodforde
Published by The Folio Society. London 1992
Diary entries selected by David Hughes
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Signs of Christmas
When on the barn's thatched roof is seen
The moss in tufts of livliest green;
When Roger to the wood-pile goes
And, as he turns, his fingers blows;
When all around is cold and drear,
Be sure that Christmastide is near.
When Tom at eve comes home from plough
And brings the Mistletoe's green bough;
With milk-white berries spotted o'er,
And shakes it the sly maid before,
Then hangs the trophy up on high,
Be sure that Christmastide is nigh.
When Hal the woodman in his clogs
Brings home the huge unwieldly logs,
That, hissing on the smouldering fire
Flame out at last a quiv'ring spire;
When in his hat the holly stands
Old Christmas musters up his hands.
When cluster'd round the fire at night
Old William talks of ghost and sprite;
And, as a distant outhouse gate
Slams in the wind, all fearful wait,
Expecting some old ghost of yore,
Then Christmas comes in at the door.
Edwin Lees 1829
Taken from: The Folio Book of the English Christmas
Published by The Folio Society. London
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Cormac McCloskey
Note: This blog, "Other People's Christmas", was first published on Windows Live Spaces, by me, on 24th December 2006
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