In my heritage lies the practice of celebrating ‘Old Christmas‘.

In Rodanthe, a few families gather on January 5th to celebrate Old Christmas. There’s usually an oyster roast with music and dancing. Part of the celebration revolves around Old Buck. Every year a family is entrusted with the care of Old Buck, and it is seen as good luck to be chosen.

Old Buck was, according to some, a wild bull that gave folks trouble until he was shot and killed. Every year two folks don the guise of Old Buck to particpate in the celebration. A troublesome bull like Old Buck never really dies, you know.

My family celebrated Old Christmas in name only – there was no oyster roast or dancing and song on Jan 5. However, this year my father and I are going to try to observe it in some way. I have things here for Jasper to learn about Old Christmas and I look forward to teaching him about it through the years.