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<v Steve>Hi, this is Steve Webb, your OG Godcaster.

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<v Steve>You're about to hear the LifeSpring Advent Calendar, which was recorded in 2006.

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<v Steve>It's a daily show which will run right up to Christmas Day,

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<v Steve>so be sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode.

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<v Steve>Now, the story of Advent and Christmas is a timeless story, so it doesn't age.

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<v Steve>However, the links and the phone numbers mentioned on the podcast have all changed but one.

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<v Steve>WhyChristmas.com is still current and active,

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<v Steve>and it's the best Christmas information website on the Internet.

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<v Steve>LifeSpringPodcast.com now forwards you to LifeSpringMedia.com.

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<v Steve>And the phone number you'll hear on the show is changed to plus 1-951-732-8511.

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<v Steve>Hello there and welcome.

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<v Steve>I'm Steve Webb, your host, and this is the Lifespring Advent Calendar.

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<v Steve>Welcome back.

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<v Steve>Is anybody else hungry around here or is it just me?

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<v Steve>Boy, I sure hope there's something behind the door that's marked number 20.

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<v Steve>Let's go see.

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<v Music>We wish you a Merry Christmas.

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<v Music>We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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<v Music>We wish you a Merry Christmas.

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<v Music>We wish you a Merry Christmas.

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<v Music>We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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<v Music>Good tidings we bring to you and your kids.

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<v Music>Happy New Year.

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<v Music>Oh, bring us a figgy pudding.

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<v Music>Oh, bring us a figgy pudding.

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<v Music>Oh, bring us a figgy pudding and a cup of good cheer.

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<v Steve>Mmm, mmm, yeah.

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<v Steve>It's Christmas pudding and some mince pies.

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<v Steve>Mmm, mmm, good stuff.

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<v Steve>You know, I really do love this song.

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<v Steve>You know the figgy pudding part?

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<v Steve>Well, that's what I'm eating right now.

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<v Steve>Yeah, that was good.

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<v James>Yes, thank you for that, Steve.

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<v James>Christmas plum or even figgy pudding is the traditional end of the Christmas dinner over here in the UK.

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<v James>But what's eaten now is a far cry from the original Christmas pudding.

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<v James>Really?

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<v James>Christmas pudding started life as a medieval porridge called frementi,

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<v James>which was made from beef or mutton, that's lamb,

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<v James>with oats, raisins, currants, prunes, wines and spices.

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<v James>And it would have actually been more of a soup than a porridge

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<v James>and was eaten before Christmas, during Advent, as a fasting meal.

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<v James>Interesting.

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<v James>By the late 16th century, the meat had been replaced by plums or figs

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<v James>and was thickened with eggs and breadcrumbs.

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<v James>It was also given extra flavour by adding more beer and more spirits.

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<v James>That would do it.

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<v James>It became the English traditional Christmas dessert around 1650,

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<v James>but it was banned in 1664 by the Puritans as a bad custom,

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<v James>well, along with most other Christmas celebrations as well.

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<v James>So then what?

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<v James>In 1714, King George I re-established it as part of the Christmas meal.

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<v James>By Victorian times, Christmas puddings had changed into what we eat today.

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<v Steve>Better.

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<v James>This is good.

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<v James>The Sunday before Advent Sunday, which is also the last Sunday of the church year,

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<v James>is sometimes known as Stir-Up Sunday.

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<v James>Why?

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<v James>Because the opening words for the Collect, which is the main prayer of the day,

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<v James>in the Book of Common Prayer of 1549, which is used in some Anglican churches, says,

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<v James>Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people,

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<v James>that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruits of good works,

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<v James>may thee be plenteously rewarded.

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<v James>Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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<v James>It's traditional that all the family gathers round the mixing bowl

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<v James>and each person gives the mixture a stir.

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<v James>That sounds fun.

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<v James>A Christmas pudding should always be stirred from east to west in honour of the wise men.

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<v Steve>I'll try to remember that.

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<v James>Puddings also traditionally have a silver sixpence coin putting them before they are cooked,

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<v James>and the person who finds it in their portion will have luck for the following year,

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<v James>but hopefully no broken teeth.

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<v James>No kidding.

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<v James>The pudding is topped off with a sprig of holly,

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<v James>and then brandy is poured over the pudding,

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<v James>and the pudding is set alight to make a spectacular display at the table.

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<v James>That would do it. Sounds fun.

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<v James>Now I've had some pudding. I think I'll have a quick mince pie.

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<v James>Well, like Christmas puddings, mince pies were originally filled with meat, like lamb,

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<v James>rather than the sweet mince meat that we have today, and that's why it's called mince meat.

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<v James>Makes sense.

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<v James>They're originally made in an oval shape to represent the manger that Jesus slept in as a baby,

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<v James>with a little pastry Jesus lying on top of the pie.

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<v James>Mince pies are also the traditional treat that's left out for Santa Claus over here in the UK.

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<v James>Well, he needs some energy after delivering all those presents.

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<v Steve>Hey James, how do you like your mince pies?

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<v James>Hot with a large scoop of ice cream.

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<v James>Yum. I'll try that next time.

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<v James>A custom from the Middle Ages says that if you eat a mince pie on every day from Christmas to 12th night,

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<v James>which is the 6th of January, you'll have happiness for the next year.

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<v Steve>And some extra pounds.

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<v James>Well, I don't know about the luck part, but I'll certainly eat the mince pies.

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<v Steve>Sorry, James. I think I just ate the last one.

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<v Steve>Well, so this has been day 20

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<v Steve>of the LifeSpring Advent Calendar.

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<v Steve>and I'm Steve Webb.

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<v Steve>There's not long to go now.

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<v Steve>Can you believe it?

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<v Steve>It's already show 20.

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<v Steve>The background music today

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<v Steve>was Jolme Wilson

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<v Steve>with What Else?

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<v Steve>We Wish You a Merry Christmas

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<v Steve>and of course,

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<v Steve>excuse me,

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<v Steve>while I swallow.

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<v Steve>And of course,

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<v Steve>the theme music as always

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<v Steve>was Brian Duncan

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<v Steve>and the Neo Soul Band

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<v Steve>with This Christmas.

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<v Steve>Come on back tomorrow

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<v Steve>for Day 21.

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<v Steve>Now, I think I need

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<v Steve>to wash this mince pie down. Honey!