Regina Jeffers - Celebrating Christmastide + Excerpt and E-book giveaway of 'Mr Darcy's Present'

I have the pleasure of welcoming Regina Jeffers to the blog today with a post relating to how the festive season used to be celebrated in history. Regina is also kindly offering an e-book giveaway of her latest book, 'Mr Darcy's Present' to two commenters here. Read on for more details!

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Celebrating Christmastide 

In Mr. Darcy’s Present, Darcy often bemoans the secular elements of the festive season. He is a  bit “stuffy” about the need to purchase so many gifts - not that Darcy objects to being generous with those he loves, but he is slow to abandon the more traditional celebrations. Exactly what is Christmastide?

Christmastide (also Christmas or the Christmas season or Twelvetide) is one of the seasons of the liturgical year of most Christian churches. It tends to be defined (with slight variations) as the period from Christmas Eve to the Epiphany. This period is also commonly known as the Twelve Days of Christmas, as referred to in the Christmas carol of the same name, or Yuletide, as in “Deck the Halls.” In 567, the Council of Tours proclaimed the twelve days from Christmas to Epiphany as a sacred and festive season, and established the duty of Advent fasting in preparation for the feast. This was done in order to solve the "administrative problem for the Roman Empire as it tried to coordinate the solar Julian calendar with the lunar calendars of its provinces in the east

Many Protestant churches add an Epiphany season after the Christmas season, extending the celebration of Christmas for forty days until the feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple (Candlemas) on 2 February (or a nearby Sunday). In the Missal and Breviary of the Roman rite, since 1970, the Christmas season runs a shorter period, from Christmas Eve to the Baptism of the Lord, which depending on the place and the year can occur between 7 January and 13 January. In the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the season runs from Vespers on 24 December till Compline on 2 February.

A Twelfth Night Celebration

Within the period that includes Christmastide, several days are marked for celebration, including Christmas Day (December 25), St. Stephen’s Day (December 26), Chidermas (December 28), New Year’s Eve (December 31), New Year’s Day, the Feast of the Circumcision of Christ, and the Solemnity of Mary (January 1), and Twelfth Night Eve (January 5).

In medieval era Christendom, Christmastide "lasted from the Nativity to the Purification.” To this day, the Christian cultures in Western Europe and Latin America extend the season to forty days, ending on the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple and the Purification of Mary on 2 February, a feast also known as Candlemas because of the blessing of candles on this day, inspired by the Song of Simeon, which proclaims Jesus as 'a light for revelation to the nations'." Many Churches refer to the period after the traditional Twelve Days of Christmas and up to Candlemas, as Epiphanytide, also called the Epiphany season.

Religious observances remained the foundation of English Christmases of the time. One must remember that in the 16th Century, to prevent subversion, the government banned Christmas celebrations. According to the Jane Austen Centre Magazine, “We have accounts from early 19th Century journals of Christmas days where the writer mentions the holiday but makes absolutely no fuss about it. Likewise, there are records of newspapers, published on December 25th that do not even contain the word Christmas.”

In Chapter 14 of Austen’s Persuasion, we see how the schoolboys’ return home for the holidays is the most important event, not the celebration of Christmas itself. “Immediately surrounding Mrs. Musgrave were the little Harvilles, whom she was sedulously guarding from the tyranny of the two children from the Cottage, expressly arrived to amuse them. On one side was a table occupied by some chattering girls, cutting up silk and gold paper; and on the other were trestles and trays, bending under the weight of brawn and cold pies, where riotous boys were holding high revel; the whole completed by a roaring Christmas fire, which seemed determined to be heard in spite of the noise of the others.”

Book Blurb for Mr. Darcy’s Present: A Pride and Prejudice Holiday Vagary: 

The Greatest Present He Would Ever Receive is the Gift of Her Love…

What if Mr. Darcy purchased a gift for Elizabeth Bennet to acknowledge the festive days even though he knows he will never present it to her? What if the gift is posted to the lady by his servants and without his knowledge? What if the enclosed card was meant for another and is more suggestive than a gentleman should share with an unmarried lady? Join Darcy and Elizabeth, for a holiday romp, loaded with delightful twists and turns no one expects, but one in which our favorite couple take a very different path in thwarting George Wickham and Lydia Bennet’s elopement. Can a simple book of poetry be Darcy’s means to win Elizabeth’s love? When we care more for another than ourselves, the seeds of love have an opportunity to blossom.

Words of Praise for Mr. Darcy’s Present…
Jeffers takes a familiar story and reinvigorates it with humor, warmth, and wisdom. - Roses and Lilacs Reviews

Excerpt: 

“You sent for me, Papa,” Elizabeth asked.

“Come in, child, and close the door.”

She had spent many afternoons in her father’s study discussing books and enjoying quiet companionship, but Mr. Bennet rarely summoned her to his sanctuary. “Have I done something to displease you?” she inquired in anxious tones, for a frown of disapproval marked his brow.

“In truth, Lizzy,” he said as disquiet crossed his features. “I am not certain what to make of this.” He set a wrapped package upon his desk. She wished to reach for it, but instinct told her to wait for her father’s permission. “It carries your name as the recipient.”

“Mine?” she asked in surprise.

“Yes, child.” He folded his hands upon the desk and leaned forward. “The rider who delivered it said he came from London.”

“From London?” she asked in equal astonishment. “Other than aunt and uncle, I know no one in London.” She eyed the parcel with interest. “Is it not from Uncle Gardiner?”

“I have not inquired of my brother whether he sent the parcel,” Mr. Bennet admitted. “I thought to do so, but customarily Gardiner marks his letters and packages with his initials some place on the back, not as a franking stamp, but so I know it is from him. This package holds no such markings.

Moreover, as the regular post did not deliver it, there is no origination stamp to determine postage costs. In fact, I incurred no charge in receipt of the item other than a coin I presented the rider.”

Elizabeth studied the package as if it would announce its sender. “Then I am at a loss. Should we not open it to discover if there is a card within? From its shape I assume it is a book.”

“A book is a logical guess,” her father said evenly. “But I mean to wait until Christmas morning. The rider said he was told from his employer that this was a gift.”

“Who would send me a fairing?” she said in bewilderment.

“That is what I wish to know,” her father spoke in disapproving tones. “I wish you to think upon it, Elizabeth. Who do you know in London that would recognize your love of reading?”

She could think of only one man who might know something of her preference for reading, for he had assisted her in the library at Netherfield, but surely Mr. Darcy would not send her a presentation, especially after her set down following his proposal. “If it is not from Uncle Gardiner, I know of no one who would send me a present.” Her mind raced for an explanation. “Mayhap Mr. Bingley purchased a gift for Jane and sent it to my care.”

“Even though Bingley appears to be again courting Jane, I doubt he would be so forward. I could inquire of him privately in this matter, but I am hesitant to do so. In truth, I prefer that you and I open this together on Christmas morning. If it is from Gardiner or Bingley or among those we share as a family, the sender will certainly ask of the fairing if it is not acknowledged. If it is something more than your uncle’s goodwill or Bingley’s besotted nature, I do not wish your mother or sisters to know of it. I would prefer to avoid another scene such as the one we experience after your refusal of Mr. Collins.”

Her father’s words stole Elizabeth’s breath away. “You think the gift is from a gentleman? But that cannot be! I have encouraged no one to act so boldly!”

“What of Mr. Wickham?” her father countered. “It is my understanding that Wickham and several other officers are in London.”

“But Lieutenant Wickham would not think to send me a gift,” she argued. “The last time I spoke to him, Mr. Wickham was not happy with my defense of Mr. Darcy.”

“A defense of Mr. Darcy?” Her father’s eyebrow rose in curiosity. “I thought you despised the man.”

“Uncle Gardiner spoke of a recent accident involving Mr. Darcy,” she explained. “Mr. Gardiner also chastised me for my flippant remarks regarding the Derbyshire gentleman. He was quite displeased that Aunt and Mr. Wickham participated in gossip.”

“Did you not also gossip?” her father asked skeptically.

“I only listened,” she confessed. “But to prove his point, Uncle Gardiner insisted that I pronounce the ‘good’ I knew of Mr. Darcy.”

Mr. Bennet smiled knowingly. “This news pleases me. Although I, too, found some of Mr. Darcy’s manners strictly reserved, I am aware a man of his consequence in Society often disguises his true self behind a stiff mantle. Moreover, I have noted of late that you appeared too quick to renounce the man and to align yourself with Mr. Wickham. It made me think that perhaps Mr. Darcy had snubbed you with more than his remark at the Meryton assembly.”

Elizabeth dropped her eyes in regret. “I thought my opinions superior, but, I am no longer certain.”

“I am glad of it. As you are the most intelligent of my daughters, it would grieve me to find you giggling after the officers. And as to Mr. Wickham, I cannot say it would bring me joy to have you become the wife of a man who held no other options than to become a member of the highly underpaid militia. From what I have heard, another paid Mr. Wickham to serve in his stead, which indicates that the lieutenant has no land of his own of which to speak. Moreover, you deserve a thinking man, one who would appreciate your finer qualities, not some fellow looking for a woman who will carry more than his children. Therefore, you and I will open the package together. The wait mixed with your curiosity will be your punishment for inadvertently drawing the attention of a reprobate. I will not have you marry Mr. Wickham, Lizzy. So if your heart is set in that quarter, you must think again. Despite your mother’s affinity for gentlemen in red coats, no officer of the militia will claim any of my daughters. If the gift is from a scoundrel, I will return it personally, along with a strong warning never to cross my threshold again.”

“I understand, Papa,” she said obediently.

“Speak to no one of this, child. This must remain our secret.”

Purchase Links:

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Giveaway Time!

Regina is kindly offering to give away two e-book copies of 'Mr Darcy's Present' to readers here! To enter, just leave a comment on this blog post. This is open to international entrants who comment before the end of the day on Tuesday 4 October 2016. Please leave a way for me to contact you in case you are the lucky winner.

Thank you so much to Regina for this informative post, entertaining excerpt and giveaway opportunity!