Stir-Up Sunday is fast approaching.
This is the affectionate name of a Sunday that comes a few Sundays before Christmas. The name comes from a collect or prayer read on worship on Sunday morning. In England, the “Stir Up” collect is read in congregations on the Sunday just before the start of the season of Advent. In the United States, it is read two Sundays before Christmas.
It is a reminder that Christmas is near and the families will gather to stir up the Christmas pudding.
“Collect” is the term for a short prayer that is read together in Christian worship. It is a prayer that sums up the theme for that Sunday’s scripture lessons. Collects were translated from other sources for the Church of England’s 1549 Book of Common Prayer by Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury. The Book of Common Prayer and similar prayer books are used by protestant Christians throughout the world.
On Stir-up Sunday – after receiving Holy Communion – the congregation proclaims: “STIR up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may of thee be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
Children knew from this Sunday prayer what was coming and on the way home they would sing, “Stir up, we beseech thee, the pudding in the pot and when we get home we’ll eat the lot.”
Christmas pudding is an English tradition. The pudding is unlike the creamy puddings we serve, as it is more like our fruit cakes. A month before Christmas, the pudding was prepared. This gave the ingredients – which included dried fruit, nuts and spices – time to mature and create a wonderful taste. It was a family affair, with each one taking part and as the ingredients were added the harder it was to stir.
A number of traditions are associated with the Christmas pudding, one of which is that each family member takes a lucky stir and makes a wish. You stirred from East to West to remember the wise men that came to worship the Christ child and brought him gifts. The recipe called for 13 ingredients, to remember Jesus and his disciples. Silver coins were stirred into the mixture and if you received a slice with a coin on your plate Christmas day it was a sign you would have wealth in the coming year.
Sometimes, holly was added around the pudding, as a decoration to symbolize the crown of thorns our Savior wore.
On Christmas, the pudding was steamed, sometimes flambeed and served. The family celebrated Christmas with a meal and all the hard work and waiting was rewarded.
“Stir-Up Sunday” only comes once a year, but in this day and age, there are those who stir up things – not for the good of others, but just to stir up trouble.
As we approach the Christmas season, let us stir the things that make a difference in the life of others, peace and goodwill to all.
Eric Reece is the faith columnist for The Graham Star. He is pastor of Robbinsville United Methodist Church and can be reached via email, ereece@wnccumc.net.