Y NADOLIG (Christmas): The custom in many parts of Wales was to attend a very early church service known as “Plygain” (daybreak), between 3am. and 6am. Men gathered in rural churches to sing, mainly unaccompanied, three or four part harmony carols in a service that went on for three hours or so. The custom managed to survive in many country areas, and because of its simplicity and beauty is being revived in many others. After the service, a day of feasting and drinking would begin. GWYL SAN STEFFAN (St. Stephens Day; Boxing Day – December 26th): The day after Christmas Day was celebrated in a way unique to Wales and included the tradition of “holly-beating” or “holming.” Young men and boys would beat the unprotected arms of young females with holly branches until they bled. In some areas it was the legs that were beaten. In others, it was the custom for the last person to get out of bed in the morning to be beaten with sprigs of holly. These customs died out before the end of the 19th century (luckily for young girls and those who like a lie-in!)
Thanks, very interesting. A Cardiff postman cycles home with a Christmas tree on the back of his bicycle in 1939.
The Swedish-American church that I grew up attending always had an early Christmas service at 4 am on Christmas day. We would have to get up and get dressed for church, then we'd go back to bed when we got home usually, and it was like it had been a dream.
Had to look this up-having no clue about Mummers-and found this http://folk.wales/llantwit-major-mummer-s-play-copy.html
These are the kind of Mummers I was talking about, @Sir Walter Pasty . They are an old tradition in Newfoundland, apparently brought from the old country. I don't know which old country. I thought it might be Wales or maybe Ireland.
@Sir Walter Pasty, isn't this an old Welsh Christmas song? I think we sang this for a Christmas program once in school also. Ar Hyd y Nos