10 Christmas Traditions

1. Preaching several sermons on Christmas themes (various verses this year)

2. Singing most of the Christmas hymns in our hymn book

3. Watching the film Elf starring Will Ferrell (tonight I hope)

4. Watching University Challenge Christmas Special on TV

5. Reading the novel Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (50 pages read so far)

6. Reading some Christmas detective fiction (A Dramatic Christmas this year)

7. Going through a book of devotions from December 1-24 or 25 (this year Joel Beeke and 31 readings)

8. Burning down an advent candle December 1-24 (a red one again this year, a bit too thin)

9. Going to see Kate Rusby and her band doing one of their Christmas concerts (really enjoyed that)

10. Listening to lots of Christmas music (I now have 671 items in my collection)

10 Seasonal Traditions that are perhaps not so old

"It's a long Christmas tradition" we are often told but some Christmas traditions are perhaps not as old as you think.

1. Seeing the John Lewis Christmas ad – only since 2007

2. Hearing on the radio Merry Christmas Everybody and I wish it could be Christmas every day – only since 1973

3. Watching league football on Boxing Day – only since 1960 (1971 in Scotland)

4. Watching the Queen's speech on TV – only since 1952

5. Hearing the little drummer boy carol – only since 1941

6. Hearing Rudolph the red nosed reindeer – only since 1939

7. Tuning into Carols with nine lessons from Kings – only since 1928 (the thing itself goes back to 1918)

8. Pulling Christmas crackers – only since 1847

9. Sending Christmas cards – only since 1843

10. Putting up a Christmas tree in England – only since 1840