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toeslayer

@toeslayer.bsky.social
262 followers 63 following 2.3K posts

Retired academic thinking about writing a book. Proud Twitter refugee and endorsed by no one. All images are used under fair use.

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toeslayer @toeslayer.bsky.social · 04/01/2026
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toeslayer @toeslayer.bsky.social · 04/01/2026
5th Jan or Christian Epiphany (Three Kings Day) marks end of the Christmas celebrations. 12th Night feasts were held & people traditionally exchanged gifts, ate cake (King Cake) & drank alcohol. In Scotland it was more important because of pre-Christian association & the end of Samhain.
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toeslayer @toeslayer.bsky.social · 03/01/2026
A letter to Christian missionaries in Britain from Pope Gregory the Great (c. 540 – 604) recommended all pagan temples be converted to churches & existing festivals & feasts changed to celebrate Christian martyrs. Gradually these became associated with main events of the life of Christ.
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toeslayer @toeslayer.bsky.social · 03/01/2026
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toeslayer @toeslayer.bsky.social · 02/01/2026
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toeslayer @toeslayer.bsky.social · 02/01/2026
"First footing" demands the first person to pass the threshold after midnight must be a stranger of dark complexion with a full head of hair & sonsy (trustworthy). He must carry lucky talisman like coal (warmth), shortbread (food), salt (health), & whisky (cheer) to bring good fortune.
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toeslayer @toeslayer.bsky.social · 01/01/2026
Scottish families gather on Ner’day (New Year ‘s Day) to feast like traditional Christmas Day. At the “gathering of clans” certain foods brought good fortune. Thick Scotch Broth was followed by Steak Pie finished with a Clootie Dumpling (a sweet fruit pudding).
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toeslayer @toeslayer.bsky.social · 01/01/2026
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toeslayer @toeslayer.bsky.social · 31/12/2025
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toeslayer @toeslayer.bsky.social · 31/12/2025
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toeslayer @toeslayer.bsky.social · 31/12/2025
Auld Land Syne was a traditional air given lyrics by Robert Burns (1796). Not sang at Hogmanay until after 1929 when Guy Lombardo played it at a New Year celebration in NY. Bandleader first heard Scottish immigrants sing the song & the sentiments expressed he thought perfect for the occasion.
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toeslayer @toeslayer.bsky.social · 31/12/2025
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toeslayer @toeslayer.bsky.social · 30/12/2025
Hogmanay celebrated on New Year's Eve origins are age old & grounded in Celtic culture. First recorded in 1604 ‘delatit to haue been singand hagmonayis on Satirday’. "It is ordinary among some plebeians in the South of Scotland to go about from door to door upon New-years Eve, crying Hagmane." 1692
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toeslayer @toeslayer.bsky.social · 30/12/2025
New Year in Old Celtic Calendar was 1st Nov. From Halloween to Hogmanay spirits of the dead & those not yet born walked freely among the living. Samhain (Feast of the Dead) was a twilight zone or unreal time when one year turned into another & darkness (night) prevailed over the light (day).
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toeslayer @toeslayer.bsky.social · 30/12/2025
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toeslayer @toeslayer.bsky.social · 29/12/2025
The installation of the first Platform Screen Doors has begun at Govan Station and will be rolled out across all stations shortly, improving passenger safety
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toeslayer @toeslayer.bsky.social · 29/12/2025
Christianity was official religion of Rome (380 CE) & pagan celebrations were incorporated. Saint Augustine asked not to celebrate the sun, but instead to praise him who made it. Earliest mention of nativity was in a Roman almanac (4th c). December 25, was marked: natus Christus in Betleem Judeae.
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toeslayer @toeslayer.bsky.social · 29/12/2025
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toeslayer @toeslayer.bsky.social · 29/12/2025
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toeslayer @toeslayer.bsky.social · 29/12/2025
The FBI Rat
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toeslayer @toeslayer.bsky.social · 28/12/2025
Most ancient civilization celebrated mid-winter with feasts & festivals. Egyptians had a 12 day festival for the rebirth of the sun. Babylonians too celebrated the year's renewal & these were later adopted by Persians then later absorbed into ancient Roman culture with the festival of Saturnalia.
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toeslayer @toeslayer.bsky.social · 28/12/2025
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toeslayer @toeslayer.bsky.social · 27/12/2025
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toeslayer @toeslayer.bsky.social · 27/12/2025
Holy Innocents Day is dedicated to alleged massacre by Herod the Great of all first-born children in Bethlehem. Matthew (2: 1-18) After the magi inquired whereabouts of child king of the Jews, Herod feared a usurper & ordered all boys aged 2 & under to be killed.
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toeslayer @toeslayer.bsky.social · 27/12/2025
If Bondi had the files on her desk (now numbered in their millions). How big was her desk ?
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toeslayer @toeslayer.bsky.social · 27/12/2025
Lyrics of the catechism helped young Christians learn their faith. No proof exists but many believe the rhyme was originally conceived at a time when practicing Catholicism was unlawful. The song cemented gift-giving, & family traditions perfectly encapsulating the Victorian Spirit of Christmas.
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toeslayer @toeslayer.bsky.social · 26/12/2025
Source: Elisabeth Parker, Writer
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toeslayer @toeslayer.bsky.social · 26/12/2025
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toeslayer @toeslayer.bsky.social · 26/12/2025
The Twelve Days of Christmas was 18th c nursery rhyme & carol. Origins & meaning are unknown but first printed in Mirth without Mischief 1780. In 1909 set to an ayre, arranged by Frederic Austin, it became a popular parlour game. Lyrics contain escalating gifts generally regarded as a catechism.
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toeslayer @toeslayer.bsky.social · 25/12/2025
Haud me back ! It's Boxing Day sales
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toeslayer @toeslayer.bsky.social · 25/12/2025
Throughout Advent churches collected donations in "alms boxes" & distributed same to the poor on 26th December (St. Stephen's Day). Wealthy employers gave servants a "Christmas box" for working during Christmas feast. "Boxing Day" gained prominence & officially became a public holiday in 1871.
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toeslayer @toeslayer.bsky.social · 25/12/2025
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toeslayer @toeslayer.bsky.social · 25/12/2025
Louis Duchesne thought creation & redemption fell on the same day of the year. According to Thomas J Talley, Christ was born 9 months before the crucifixion date of 14th of Nisan (March 25). Eastern Church cited crucifixion date April 6th, 9 months before January 6th. The Twelve Days of Christmas.
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toeslayer @toeslayer.bsky.social · 24/12/2025
Cannae wait for Leslie Crowther on Christmas telly.
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toeslayer @toeslayer.bsky.social · 24/12/2025
In 274 CE, Emperor Aurelian established a feast of the birth of Sol Invictus (the Unconquered Sun), on December 25. Eventually the Roman Christmas replaced pagan solar festivals to celebrate Christmas Day circa 336 CE.
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toeslayer @toeslayer.bsky.social · 24/12/2025
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toeslayer @toeslayer.bsky.social · 24/12/2025
Just can't wait to open my present from Santa . I think I know what it is.
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toeslayer @toeslayer.bsky.social · 23/12/2025
According to the Scriptures, Jesus was born during the reign of King Herod the Great, between 6 BC and 4 BC. In the 6th c AD Dionysius Exiguus (c. 470 – 544 AD) created the Anno Domini system. Modern scholars believe he miscalculated by at least 4 to 7 years.
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toeslayer @toeslayer.bsky.social · 23/12/2025
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toeslayer @toeslayer.bsky.social · 22/12/2025
The Star of Bethlehem, described in the Gospel of Matthew, was probably a planetary alignment of Jupiter (King Star) & Saturn or Venus. Other suggestions include a comet, supernova, or a supernatural manifestation. The Star of Bethlehem remains a blend of faith, history, and astronomy.
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toeslayer @toeslayer.bsky.social · 22/12/2025
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toeslayer @toeslayer.bsky.social · 22/12/2025
On the run up to Xmas, has anyone else been visited by 3 ghosts? Asking for a friend.
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toeslayer @toeslayer.bsky.social · 22/12/2025
Breaking Fake News: Meanwhile outside tRump Tower , Piggie holds a Pressy.
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toeslayer @toeslayer.bsky.social · 21/12/2025
Epiphany, to Roman Church was unveiling of King of the Jews to Gentiles. In the Scriptures, The Wise Men were not named nor were they Kings. Descriptions of the learned dignitaries from east of Jerusalem were left to wide interpretation for the best ‘political’ reason as the Gospels spread.
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toeslayer @toeslayer.bsky.social · 21/12/2025
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toeslayer @toeslayer.bsky.social · 21/12/2025
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toeslayer @toeslayer.bsky.social · 20/12/2025
Only shepherds were present immediately after the birth & Magi arrived 12 days later. Coptic Christians (42 AD) upheld 6th January as birth of Christ but Roman Church shifted to Nativity to replace a pagan festival. The period between Christmas & 6th January became the 12 days of Christmas.
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toeslayer @toeslayer.bsky.social · 20/12/2025
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toeslayer @toeslayer.bsky.social · 19/12/2025
Neither day, month, nor year were ever recorded in the Gospels as to the birth of Jesus (nativity). Early Christian writers made no reference to the birth of Christ and some even mocked the thought of birth anniversaries, dismissing them as “pagan” practices.
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toeslayer @toeslayer.bsky.social · 19/12/2025
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