'The holy blisful martir for to seke...'

Childermas

With much feasting they fared the first and the next day,
and as heartily the third came hastening after:
the gaiety of Saint John's day was glorious to hear;
[with cheer of the choicest Childermas followed,]
and that finished their revels, as folk there intended,
for there were guests who must go in the grey morning.

As a boy in his early teens, St John the Beloved Disciple was of course the youngest of the Apostles. 'Now', says Guéranger, 'just as St Stephen is looked upon as the type of Martyrs, St John is honoured as the Prince of Virgins.'

Martyrdom won for Stephen the Crown and palm; Virginity merited for John most singular prerogatives, which, while they show how dear to God is holy Chastity, put this Disciple among those who by their dignity and influence are above the rest of men.

[Guéranger]

The line in square brackets in the first, verse quotation above is in fact Tolkien's own "reconstruction": he notes that his author seems to have missed out 28th December from Sir Gawain's busy schedule, but it is possible that he has misconstrued the mood of the day. There are in fact two traditional characteristics associated with the feast commemorating the Church's earliest and youngest martyrs - specifically tragedy and (as Roud puts it) 'a particular regard for children'. Fasting and penance on the part of adults would go hand-in-hand with a certain degree of licence for young ones, Boy Bishops, and so on.

[The Church] sanctions the practice, observed in Cathedrals and Collegiate Churches, of allowing young boys to share in the duties of the Choir, and blend their innocent chanting with that of the Ministers of God. She grants them several privileges, and takes pleasure in seeing the delight wherewith these children perform the several functions entrusted to them. This joy, this simplicity, this innocence, all add a charm to the divine Service; and through these youthful Choristers the Church pays honour to the Infant Jesus, and to the Holy Innocents of Bethlehem.

[Ibid.]

So soon around come cakes and ale

And time is for a story 

Then silent all who gather round

Hear tell of Jesus' glory. 

 

Then dance my dream to the magic of the bow

From dusk 'til early dawning
To find the earth serene and still 

This clear St. Stephen's morning.

'Eddi's Service'

The Crib in St Wilfrid's Chapel at the London Oratory (Photo: Mr Charles Cole)

EDDI, priest of St. Wilfrid

In his chapel at Manhood End,

Ordered a midnight service

For such as cared to attend.

But the Saxons were keeping Christmas,

And the night was stormy as well.

Nobody came to service,

Though Eddi rang the bell.

'Wicked weather for walking,'

Said Eddi of Manhood End.

'But I must go on with the service

For such as care to attend.

The altar-lamps were lighted, –

An old marsh-donkey came,

Bold as a guest invited,

And stared at the guttering flame.

The storm beat on at the windows,

The water splashed on the floor,

And a wet, yoke-weary bullock

Pushed in through the open door.

'How do I know what is greatest,

How do I know what is least?

That is My Father's business,'

Said Eddi, Wilfrid's priest.

'But – three are gathered together –

Listen to me and attend.

I bring good news, my brethren!'

Said Eddi of Manhood End.

And he told the Ox of a Manger

And a Stall in Bethlehem,

And he spoke to the Ass of a Rider,

That rode to Jerusalem.

They steamed and dripped in the chancel,

They listened and never stirred,

While, just as though they were Bishops,

Eddi preached them The Word,

Till the gale blew off on the marshes

And the windows showed the day,

And the Ox and the Ass together

Wheeled and clattered away.

And when the Saxons mocked him,

Said Eddi of Manhood End,

'I dare not shut His chapel

On such as care to attend.'

According to the Sarum use, at today's Mass of Christmas Eve, before the epistle, the following prophecy is sung by a single acolyte, standing at the choir step (i.e. the step between the choir and what would be the sanctuary in modern churches), wearing just a simple alb:

Propter Sion non tacebo et propter Hierusalem non quiescam donec egrediatur ut splendor iustus eius et salvator eius ut lampas accendatur. Et videbunt gentes iustum tuum et cuncti reges inclitum tuum et vocabitur tibi nomen novum quod os Domini nominabit. Et eris corona gloriae in manu Domini et diadema regni in manu Dei tui. Non vocaberis ultra Derelicta et terra tua non vocabitur amplius Desolata sed vocaberis Voluntas mea in ea et terra tua Inhabitata quia conplacuit Domino in te. 

For Sion's sake I will not hold my peace, and for the sake of Jerusalem, I will not rest till her just one come forth as brightness, and her saviour be lighted as a lamp. And the Gentiles shall see thy just one, and all kings thy glorious one: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name. And thou shalt be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God. Thou shalt no more be called Forsaken: and thy land shall no more be called Desolate: but thou shalt be called My pleasure in her, and thy land inhabited. Because the Lord hath been well pleased with thee.

Depósuit poténtes de sede: * et exaltávit húmiles.

Boy Bishop Jason Kellinger of Salisbury (2014)