TRP Advent Calendar 23 - Women's Christmas
23
Das Weihnachten der Frauen ist auch unter „Kleine Weihnacht“, bzw. „alte Weihnacht“ bekannt. Der Ausdruck bezeichnet sowohl unter irischen, als auch unter amischen Christen, den traditionellen Namen für den 06. Januar. Der Tag selbst, ist das offizielle Ende der Weihnachtszeit.
The origin
Originally, Christmas was celebrated on two different days. It depended on whether one went according to the calendar of the Eastern or Western Roman Empire. While in the Western Empire, Christmas was celebrated on December 25, in the Eastern Empire the festivities started on January 6.
The reason for this was the introduction of the Gregorian calendar in October 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII. As a correction to the Julian calendar, which had too many leap years, harmony with the solar year was to be restored. This has mainly liturgical significance, since the calculation of the date of Easter assumes that the vernal equinox in the northern hemisphere occurs on March 21. To correct the error that had arisen, he ordered that the date be moved forward by ten days.
Die meisten römisch-katholischen Länder nahmen den neuen Kalender sofort an, während die protestantischen Länder erst in den folgenden 200 Jahren folgten. Insbesondere das britische Empire – einschließlich der amerikanischen Kolonien – tat dies ab 1752 mit dem Calendar (New Style) Act. Zu diesem Zeitpunkt war die Abweichung auf elf Tage angewachsen. Mit dem Weihnachtstag am 25. Dezember, fand das Fest also 11 Tage früher statt, als das „alte Weihnachten.“
The Christmas of women
In Ireland, Little Christmas is also called Women's Christmas (Irish: Nollaig na mBan). The tradition, which is still strong in Cork and Kerry, is so called because Irish men take over household duties on this day. A goose is traditionally served on this day.
Some women host parties or go out to celebrate the day with their girlfriends, sisters, mothers and aunts.