December 9, 2021

Our American Christmas is rife with Dickensian England. We say and do things this time of year that don’t normally enter into our regular life. For instance, I’m going to go a-wassailing with some neighbors tonight. You don’t go a-wassailing in July. What even is a-wassailing? What does one wear to go a-wassailing? Breeches?

The way I reckon things, this is all to the good – wassailing and all of its yuletide kin. It is the ripple in the pond effect of the Incarnation. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

Seems like going a-wassailing is the least we can do!

“O God, you make us glad by the yearly festival of the birth of your only Son Jesus Christ: Grant that we, who joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, may with sure confidence behold him when he comes to be our Judge; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.” (Christmas Day – BCP)