Christmas Pudding Masterclass
Christmas Pudding Masterclass - Making The Perfect Christmas Pudding
Traditional Christmas Puddings are normally made up well in advance of Christmas Day, and ‘Stir-Up Sunday’, the last Sunday before Advent, (at the end of November) is considered by many the last day on which you can successfully make the Christmas Puddings (and Christmas Cakes) which require time to be aged before being served – a traditional Christmas Pudding can be matured for many months. On Stir-Up-Sunday everyone in the family stirs the pudding mix and makes a wish as the silver coin (see below) is dropped into the pudding mix.
While in Christian households someone recites, while stirring east to west, (in honour of the journey of the Magi): “Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may by thee be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen”
Understanding The Christian Traditions Surrounding The Christmas Pudding
13 Ingredients: the observant among you will notice that this recipe has the classic 13 ingredients – the 13 ingredients are said to represent Jesus and His Disciples, and this number has become very much associated with the Christmas Pudding. If you would like to make a classic Christmas Pudding with the simple and traditional 13 ingredients then see this Royal Christmas Pudding Recipe.
Stir-Up-Sunday: this is the last Sunday before Advent, towards the end of November, and everyone in the family stirs the pudding ingredients for luck and makes a wish. Stir it in turn, from east to west, in honour of the Magi and their journey in that direction, while someone recites: “Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may by thee be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen”
Understanding The Pagan Traditions Surrounding The Christmas Pudding
The Coin: adding in a silver coin
The Holly Branch: Bringing In an ever-green branch into the household, stuck in the Christmas Pudding, represents the continuous cycle of life, rebirth and death, very much a welcome message and a necessary reminder to Pagans in winter that the winter shall end.