Steve: Hi, this is Steve Webb, your OG Godcaster.
Steve: You're about to hear the LifeSpring Advent Calendar, which was recorded in 2006.
Steve: It's a daily show which will run right up to Christmas Day,
Steve: so be sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode.
Steve: Now, the story of Advent and Christmas is a timeless story, so it doesn't age.
Steve: However, the links and the phone numbers mentioned on the podcast have all changed but one.
Steve: WhyChristmas.com is still current and active,
Steve: and it's the best Christmas information website on the Internet.
Steve: LifeSpringPodcast.com now forwards you to LifeSpringMedia.com.
Steve: And the phone number you'll hear on the show is changed to plus 1-951-732-8511.
Steve: Hello there and welcome.
Steve: I'm Steve Webb, your host, and this is the Lifespring Advent Calendar.
Steve: Welcome back.
Steve: Is anybody else hungry around here or is it just me?
Steve: Boy, I sure hope there's something behind the door that's marked number 20.
Steve: Let's go see.
Music: We wish you a Merry Christmas.
Music: We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Music: We wish you a Merry Christmas.
Music: We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Music: Good tidings we bring to you and your kids.
Music: Happy New Year.
Music: Oh, bring us a figgy pudding.
Music: Oh, bring us a figgy pudding and a cup of good cheer.
Steve: Mmm, mmm, yeah.
Steve: It's Christmas pudding and some mince pies.
Steve: Mmm, mmm, good stuff.
Steve: You know, I really do love this song.
Steve: You know the figgy pudding part?
Steve: Well, that's what I'm eating right now.
Steve: Yeah, that was good.
James: Yes, thank you for that, Steve.
James: Christmas plum or even figgy pudding is the traditional end of the Christmas dinner over here in the UK.
James: But what's eaten now is a far cry from the original Christmas pudding.
James: Really?
James: Christmas pudding started life as a medieval porridge called frementi,
James: which was made from beef or mutton, that's lamb,
James: with oats, raisins, currants, prunes, wines and spices.
James: And it would have actually been more of a soup than a porridge
James: and was eaten before Christmas, during Advent, as a fasting meal.
James: Interesting.
James: By the late 16th century, the meat had been replaced by plums or figs
James: and was thickened with eggs and breadcrumbs.
James: It was also given extra flavour by adding more beer and more spirits.
James: That would do it.
James: It became the English traditional Christmas dessert around 1650,
James: but it was banned in 1664 by the Puritans as a bad custom,
James: well, along with most other Christmas celebrations as well.
James: So then what?
James: In 1714, King George I re-established it as part of the Christmas meal.
James: By Victorian times, Christmas puddings had changed into what we eat today.
Steve: Better.
James: This is good.
James: The Sunday before Advent Sunday, which is also the last Sunday of the church year,
James: is sometimes known as Stir-Up Sunday.
James: Why?
James: Because the opening words for the Collect, which is the main prayer of the day,
James: in the Book of Common Prayer of 1549, which is used in some Anglican churches, says,
James: Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people,
James: that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruits of good works,
James: may thee be plenteously rewarded.
James: Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
James: It's traditional that all the family gathers round the mixing bowl
James: and each person gives the mixture a stir.
James: That sounds fun.
James: A Christmas pudding should always be stirred from east to west in honour of the wise men.
Steve: I'll try to remember that.
James: Puddings also traditionally have a silver sixpence coin putting them before they are cooked,
James: and the person who finds it in their portion will have luck for the following year,
James: but hopefully no broken teeth.
James: No kidding.
James: The pudding is topped off with a sprig of holly,
James: and then brandy is poured over the pudding,
James: and the pudding is set alight to make a spectacular display at the table.
James: That would do it. Sounds fun.
James: Now I've had some pudding. I think I'll have a quick mince pie.
James: Well, like Christmas puddings, mince pies were originally filled with meat, like lamb,
James: rather than the sweet mince meat that we have today, and that's why it's called mince meat.
James: Makes sense.
James: They're originally made in an oval shape to represent the manger that Jesus slept in as a baby,
James: with a little pastry Jesus lying on top of the pie.
James: Mince pies are also the traditional treat that's left out for Santa Claus over here in the UK.
James: Well, he needs some energy after delivering all those presents.
Steve: Hey James, how do you like your mince pies?
James: Hot with a large scoop of ice cream.
James: Yum. I'll try that next time.
James: A custom from the Middle Ages says that if you eat a mince pie on every day from Christmas to 12th night,
James: which is the 6th of January, you'll have happiness for the next year.
Steve: And some extra pounds.
James: Well, I don't know about the luck part, but I'll certainly eat the mince pies.
Steve: Sorry, James. I think I just ate the last one.
Steve: Well, so this has been day 20
Steve: of the LifeSpring Advent Calendar.
Steve: and I'm Steve Webb.
Steve: There's not long to go now.
Steve: Can you believe it?
Steve: It's already show 20.
Steve: The background music today
Steve: was Jolme Wilson
Steve: with What Else?
Steve: We Wish You a Merry Christmas
Steve: and of course,
Steve: excuse me,
Steve: while I swallow.
Steve: And of course,
Steve: the theme music as always
Steve: was Brian Duncan
Steve: and the Neo Soul Band
Steve: with This Christmas.
Steve: Come on back tomorrow
Steve: for Day 21.
Steve: Now, I think I need
Steve: to wash this mince pie down. Honey!