12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

Some Beginning Thoughts

Christmas Day begins the season of Christmastide, a season we sometimes forget lasts at least twelve days. (One Roman Catholic tradition continues the season for forty days ending on Candlemas, Feb. 2.) Some of us find such relief in finally arriving at the 25th that we think it, the season, is thankfully now all over. However Christmastide actually has just begun. The previous weeks, Advent, were those of anticipation and preparation. Now the birth has happened, the Savior has come, the rejoicing can begin. How can we mark this time? What does it truly mean that Jesus is born, the Word is made flesh? Twelve days we have to ponder before we end the season with the celebration of Epiphany, the revelation of Christ to the world.

This season in lands around the world and in days of yore was often combined with the celebrations of the pagan world. In the secular Western world we start the new year in the middle of it; New Year’s Day is the eighth day of Christmastide. As Christians we hope for a world as God intends, a world of peace and prosperity for all. How do we make these hopes realities? How can we rightly observe this season for we now know something amazing has happened in the birth of Jesus, something amazing has begun with the coming of the Savior, and something amazing awaits us as we ring in this year of our Lord?
I saw in December 2009 in the courtyard of Dublin castle huge painted angels. Each figure had been decorated by a celebrity or organization to promote a particular hope for the future. I wish to let some of these expressions of hope guide our celebration of Christmastide. I also want to use the calendar of church feasts and saints’ days and the traditions of other countries to prompt our musings. Finally I wish to encourage us to respond with activities of personal reflection, outreach to others, and joyful feasting.

Warmest Blessings for the Whole Season

Look for the daily devotionals for Christmastide to come.

Blessings, Caroline