Wednesday, December 30, 2009

The 12 Days of Christmas

OK...now you can celebrate Christmas. Actually you can keep on celebrating until January 6 as part of the 12 Days of Christmas. That's where that song came from. You know the one...4 Mockingbirds, 3 French hens, 2 Turtle Doves...and a partridge in a pear tree...and all those other gifts like maids a milking, and Lords a leaping. I mean the one who received these gifts must have had a big place to hold all those trees and people and things. But I must confess that I like the imagery of celebration and gift giving that are contained in the song. It is a good reminder that Christmas is not over just because December 25 is now history and many are exhausted from all the work of preparing for just that one day. Christmas...the birth of Christ...is celebrated until Epiphany (January 6) which celebrates the coming of the Wisemen to worship the new born Christ-child. It also celebrates the coming of Jesus not just for a single nation or ethnic group, but for all who would receive him. Epiphany is a reminder that we are called to open our hearts and lives to all in need just as God has opened his heart to us. These 12 days from December 25 to January 6 are a reminder of all this.

Oh...one other thing...if you still haven't finished mailing out those Christmas cards or writing that Christmas newsletter it isn't too late...you have until January 6. After that...well...the truth is it is never too late to celebrate the birth of Christ.

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