Episode # 673
December 25, 2021
Rome
December 17th, 100 BC
It is the winter solstice. The days are beginning to lengthen.
Thank Saturn for the change of season and this time of sowing seed.
Clodia is in the kitchen baking a king cake.
She mixes in a dried fava been, then places the cake in the oven.
The smell of baking cake fills the domus.
There is a knock on the door.
It is Uncle Felix and his family.
There are more guests in the yard. I usher them in through the Atrium and into the Vestibulum.
My daughter Livia is hanging up a wreath. Felix’s son Titus puts the wax tapers he brought on the wreath.
Tapers will be lit tonight.
Felix has already found the late season grape wine and wastes no time passing it around.
As more guests arrive the house is filled with people dressed in their colorful synthesis (clothes).
Food from the recent abundant harvest is brought to the kitchen to be cooked.
No one works from December 17th to 25th so the party begins.
Uncle Felix has started a dice game. The stakes are low (small coins and nuts). Gambling is not normally legal so the dice game is a treat, especially for the servants who get to join in. A din of conversation is the backdrop to the game.
Clodia brings out the king cake, cuts it into pieces and hands them out to the guests. Titus bites into his piece and almost breaks his tooth on the fava bean. He is the Lord of Misrule for the duration of the party.
A troupe of musicians has arrived. They enter carrying a cornu, tuba, drum, flute and lyre. As the music begins Titus belts out the lyrics encouraging the crowd to sing along.
Gaditanian girls jingle their bells to the music.
Gifts are passed around, especially to the servants. This reversal of roles is a thank you to all the servants do throughout the year. A foolish poem is attached to many of the gifts. Signillaria (small terra cotta figurines) are a popular gift. Signillaria reminds everyone of the old days of human sacrifice. Thankfully, those days are past.
A pig, however, is sacrificed. It is brought to the Culina to be cooked with all the other food.
Titus strikes the dinner gong.
The servants are seated at the head of the table and served first.
There is food for all and more for the next six days.
The wine flows.
Titus stands and toasts:
“LO, LO, LO!
Happy Saturnalia!”
California, USA
December 24th, 2021 AD
It is Christmas Eve. The days are beginning to lengthen.
Thank Christ for the change of season and this time of family celebration.
Alma is in the kitchen baking a traditional Spanish Roscón de Reyes (King’s Cake).
She mixes in a plastic Jesus and a fava been, then places the cake in the oven.
The smell of baking cake fills the house.
There is a knock on the door.
It is Uncle Bill and his family.
There are more guests in the yard. I usher them in through the porch and into the living room.
My son Tyler has set up the tree. Daughter Ashley is stringing LED lights.
There will be a tree lighting later tonight.
Bill has already found the Egg Nog, spikes it with rum and wastes no time passing it around.
As more guests arrive the house is filled with people dressed in their colorful ugly seasonal sweaters.
Food from a last minute grocery store run is brought to the kitchen to be cooked.
No one works on December 25th so the party begins.
Uncle Bill has started a card game. The stakes are low (nuts from the snack bowls). Gambling is not normally legal in California so the card game is a treat. A din of conversation is the backdrop to the game.
Alma brings out the King’s cake, cuts it into pieces and hands them out to the guests. Tyler bites into his piece and finds the plastic Jesus. He will have good luck all year. Bill almost breaks his tooth on the fava bean. He must bring the King’s cake next year.
A group of carolers has arrived. One of them is carrying a boom box. As the music begins the singers sing a holiday song and we all sing along.
Some little girls shake their jingle bells to the music.
Gifts are passed around, especially to the children. This reversal of roles honors the children and all they do throughout the year. The love that children give so freely is given back to them. A foolish Hallmark card is attached to many of the gifts.
The next day we have a holiday feast. I ring the dinner bell.
My most distant relatives are seated at the head of the table and served first.
A ham is the center piece of the feast.
There is food for all and more than enough for sandwiches in the following days.
The egg nog flows.
I stand and toast:
“HO, HO, HO!
Merry Christmas!”
