The Museum Center at Five Points and the Cleveland Storytelling Guild will present "An Old Christmas Celebration" at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, at the Museum Center at Five Points, 200 E. Inman St. in Cleveland, Tennessee.
Jan. 6 was celebrated as Christmas in the Julian calendar until Pope Gregory reformed the calendar in 1582, removing 11 days between Dec. 25 and Jan. 6, to make Dec. 25 the "official" Christmas Day.
Even though the British empire and the American colonies adopted the new calendar in 1752, many communities, especially in the Appalachian mountains, continued to celebrate what became known as Old Christmas, as well as New Christmas, resulting in a 12-day celebration that became known as "breaking up Christmas."
During those 12 days, neighbors would gather in homes, celebrating with music, food, dancing and storytelling. On Jan. 5, Old Christmas Eve, many would celebrate the end of the season with bonfires, gunfire, singing and storytelling. Then, after the raucous celebrations, Old Christmas Day, Jan. 6, would be observed quietly, with family meals and churchgoing.
As part of this area's Appalachian heritage, Tuesday's event will include traditional Appalachian songs and stories, along with simple treats, much like some of our ancestors may have done.
Admission is $5, with museum and guild members free.
For more information, contact the museum at 423-339-5745 or email Judy Baker at tellone@bellsouth.net.