Stir-up Sunday facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Stir-up Sunday |
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Traditionally, the preparation of Christmas puddings began on Stir-up Sunday.
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| Observed by | Western Christianity |
| Type | Christianity |
| Date | Last Sunday before First Advent Sunday |
| Frequency | annual |
| Related to | Christmas Day |
Stir-up Sunday is a special day for many Christians. It is the last Sunday before Advent, a time of preparation for Christmas. This day gets its name from a prayer in the Book of Common Prayer. This prayer starts with the words, "Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people."
Over time, Stir-up Sunday became linked to making Christmas pudding. This tasty pudding is a big part of British Christmas traditions. Many recipes for Christmas pudding need it to be made weeks before Christmas. This allows the flavors to develop. The "stir up" prayer served as a fun reminder for families to start making their puddings.
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Family Pudding Fun
Traditionally, families gather in their kitchens on Stir-up Sunday. They work together to mix and steam their Christmas puddings. Parents often teach their children how to prepare the ingredients.
Stirring for Wishes
Everyone in the family takes a turn to stir the pudding mix. As they stir, each person can make a special wish for the year ahead. Stirring the thick mixture can be hard work. So, having many people help makes it easier and more fun. By tradition, the pudding is stirred from East to West. This honors the three wise men who visited baby Jesus.
Lucky Coins in Pudding
Some families also add silver coins to the pudding mix. It is believed that finding a coin in your serving brings good luck. This adds an exciting surprise to the Christmas meal.
In a 2013 survey, many British children had not experienced this tradition. This shows that more families now buy ready-made puddings from shops.
Why "Stir-up" Sunday?
The name "Stir-up Sunday" comes from the opening words of a special prayer. This prayer is called a "collect." It was found in the 1549 Book of Common Prayer. The prayer asks God to "stir up" the wills of faithful people.
This prayer was always read just before the Advent season began. Since Christmas puddings need time to mature, the day became connected to making them. People thought that hearing "Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord..." was a fun reminder. It was time to start stirring the Christmas puddings!
Modern Use of the Prayer
Today, many churches still use a version of this "stir up" prayer. It helps remind people of the importance of preparing for Advent. Even if families buy their puddings, the tradition of Stir-up Sunday lives on.
Dates for Stir-up Sunday
- 2020: 22 November
- 2021: 21 November
- 2022: 20 November
- 2023: 26 November
- 2024: 24 November
See also
