His first questioner wants to know how the Church impacted urban life in the Middle Ages. The Chevalier points out that, basically, it impacted every facet of urban life, from day to day living to the arts, to the economic and political life of the city.
The question on the Church helping the poor during the same period leads to an amusing comparison between the 'successes' and 'failures' of the Mediaeval Church and the governments of the US. The modern State does not come off well in the comparison!
On the question of Christmas' possibly pagan roots, the Chevalier becomes a bit heated. He uses the fact that virtually everything in our lives comes from or was first done by the pagans as a springboard to attack the anti-Christians of today and their attacks on Christmas.
The last two questions segue one from the other. He discusses the 'gift giver' traditions of the Christmas season, discussing St Nicholas, Santa Claus, Father Christmas, etc. One I was not familiar with was La Befana.
Although nowadays many children in Italy receive presents from Father Christmas on Christmas Eve, a uniquely Italian tradition is that of 'La Befana', the old woman who brings gifts on Epiphany Eve. Legend has it the Three Kings came to her house and invited her to join their search for Christ. She was too busy with housework so declined, but later changed her mind, and to this day is still searching for the child, leaving presents for any good children she comes across.
He mentions that there are actually four traditional 'gift giving' days, St Nicholas, Christmas itself, New Year's Day, and the Epiphany. When our children were small they got gifts on many days during the season. They each got a small gift, sweets or a small toy, on St Nicholas Day (6 December, the day we put up the Christmas tree and decorations). The bonanza came on Christmas itself, of course. They were allowed to open one present on Christmas Eve, but the rest had to wait until the next morning, always before Mum and Dad were ready to rise and shine! Then, for the 12 Days of Christmas they received very small gifts, with a slightly more substantial one to honour the Three Kings' gifts to the Christ Child (6 January, the day the Christmas tree and decorations came down).
The discussion turns to the custom of some Catholic families of telling the children that the Christ Child (Christkind) is the gift giver because they don't want to 'lie' to the little ones. He expresses unease with the idea because of the inevitable disillusion when the children discover that Dad is the one eating the snacks and putting out the gifts.
In closing he has a profound reflection on the enchantment and wonder of the Christmas season and, indeed, the whole year, if we have the right disposition. This is well worth watching, even if we are still a few months from Christmas!
City Life during the Middle Ages 0:28 Church helping poor during Middle Ages 7:47 Does Christmas have pagan roots? 10:52 Gift-givers other than Santa Claus? 13:05 The Christ-Kind as gift-giver 16:31
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