Stir-up Sunday?

[smallblueplanet]

23rd November 2008, is Stir-up Sunday this year.

[Nicos]

30th November!!

[smallblueplanet]

Thanks Nicos, but that's 1st Sunday in Advent....Stir-up Sunday is the Sunday before that.

[Flummery]

Thought it was first Sunday of Advent. I just Stir Up when I think about it. Might do it sooner rather than later. Jill Archer usually mentions it (if you're an addict!)

[Snadger]

I know I'm going to regret asking this but........what is stir-up Sunday?

[smallblueplanet]

Stir-up Sunday

The last Sunday of the Church Year, or the Sunday before Advent, is often called 'Stir-up Sunday'. (Advent begins on Advent Sunday, which is four Sundays before Christmas.)

Why is it called Stir-up Sunday?
The name “Stir Up Sunday” comes from the opening words of the collect for the day in the Book of Common Prayer of 1549 and later (that is the prayer of the day that “collects” up the themes of the readings). That same prayer, adapted into more modern language, is now the Church of England's prayer after communion for this Sunday:

"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."

Christmas Pudding Day

Stir-up Sunday is the traditional day for everyone in the family to take a turn at stirring the Christmas pudding, whilst making a wish.
Before Christmas puddings were sold ready-made in foil containers, they were always made at home.
On Stir-up Sunday families returned from Church and gave the pudding its traditional lucky stir.

Children chanted this rhyme:
Stir up, we beseech thee,
The pudding in the pot;
And when we get home
We'll eat the lot.

Christmas Pudding Traditions

A proper Christmas pudding is always stirred from East to West in honour of the three Wise Men.
A Christmas pudding is traditionally made with 13 ingredients to represent Christ and His Disciples.
Every member of the family must give the pudding a stir and make a secret wish.
A coin was traditionally added to the ingredients and cooked in the pudding. It was supposedly to bring wealth to whoever found it on their plate on Christmas Day. The traditional coin was an old silver sixpence or threepenny bit.
Other traditional additions to the pudding included a ring, to foretell a marriage, and a thimble for a lucky life.

@Flum - I try not to listen, but the OH said the same thing!

It's Sunday 23rd November, as Advent Sunday is 30th.

Stir up Sunday

[Rocketron]

I know I'm going to regret asking this but........what is stir-up Sunday?

I'm soooo glad I didn't bite, earlier.

[Snadger]

I'm soooo glad I didn't bite, earlier.

Can't grumble........I did ask!

I remember my Granny saying "Come here and stir this pudding" when I was a nipper but I didn't know they had devoted a day to it?
I also remember something about threepenny bits or tanners in Crimbo puddings and for some reason they were also baked into scones?

[Alison]

Never heard of it, not something that was stuck to in our family in fact I know in the past few years my mum has tended to do the Christmas pud about nowish as she's made it with the grand kids whilst helping out during half term. Will be making mine in two weekends time which is the next day I think I'll have the time!

[lynda66]

never stirred a xmas pud in my life ..... but then i don't like it anyway ..... horrid stuff..... i was gonna ask too snadger ..... but i knew someone else would lol

[maytreefrannie]

Never heard of Stir-up Sunday but it sounds like a great tradition.

[jackie j]

We used to do this with my grannie but I never knew why just that it was lucky to do it. She used to put in sixpences or threepeny bits and she used to say 'who loves granny the best' and we always shouted' I do 'as the one that shouted the loudest got the biggest piece of pudding.

[Winged one]

We used to do it at home, but I am ashamed to admit, I have never yet made a Chrimbo pudding or cake myself. My mum gives us one and MIL the other Perhaps next year - or maybe I'll try a yule log this year instead.....

[smallblueplanet]

Get stirring!

[rustylady]

Thought it was today, but like many of us I don't make christmas puddings