Day 5: Elf
Today’s movie is Elf. It is a fish out of water comedy about Buddy, a human raised as an elf, who goes on an adventure to New York City to find his birth father Walter Hobbs, who doesn’t know he exists and is in desperate need of some Christmas spirit. James Caan, Zooey Deschanel, Mary Steenburgen, Ed Asner, and Bob Newhart appear in supporting roles. It quickly became a holiday classic soon after it’s release in 2003 and reminds us all that “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.”
Today’s Tradition: Alban Arthan (Light of Winter), Ireland, Scotland, Celtic Tradition
The Celtic celebration of the winter solstice is traditionally celebrated across the ancient Celtic world in places like Ireland, Scotland, and parts of Europe. The ancient site of Newgrange in County Meath, Ireland and Stonehenge on Salisbury Plains, Wiltshire are centres of celebrations every year on the 21st of December. A famous Celtic Myth associated with Alban Arthan is The Holly King and the Oak King: This tale describes an eternal battle between the Holly King who reigns over the dark half of the year and the Oak King who rules the light half. At the Winter Solstice, the Oak King triumphs.
