Twelve Drummers Drumming

             Today is January 6^th, the twelfth day of Christmas.  As a child my sister and I would love to play a record that we had of the song, “Twelve Days of Christmas”.  We had created dance moves to go along with the song and when we got to the twelfth day, we would be leaping, and dancing and drumming and milking in quick secession.  Growing up in a Protestant faith, I didn’t have any sense of what the twelfth day of Christmas really meant and Christmas ended on December 25^th. Of course, we knew that the wise men came bearing gifts to Jesus, but not in the context of the twelfth day.

               Four Christmases ago, during the first year that I was attending daily mass, I was astonished and overwhelmed by the beauty of the daily masses during the week after Christmas.  That year, the twelfth day, or Epiphany really came alive for me.  This reality has changed how my family and I celebrate Christmas. Some years, we have an Epiphany party or open house to celebrate the twelfth day.  Our Christmas decorations don’t some down until after the Sunday after Epiphany and Christmas songs are played in our home and car until the end of the Catholic Christmas season.

               I’ve learned that Epiphany means the manifestation of God to man.  And that there are actually three events when God manifested himself to man: as the kings arrive to pay homage to Jesus, at the baptism of Christ and during the wedding at Cana when he begins the public journey that will take him to Jerusalem, Golgotha, and the tomb where he will be resurrected.

               As I gaze at the babe in the manger, I wonder what it must have been like to have been those kings whose journey finally ended in this humble setting.  And what did they experience that had them worshiping the King of the Jews on their knees?     For that matter, what did those who watched the baptism of Christ feel as they saw John pour water over his cousin?  We know of the wonder of the apostles who watched Jesus first miracle, perhaps tasted the watch into wine and then believed!

               Then I think of the times that God has made himself manifest to me.  Sometimes in very small ways and a few times that have been that have caused goose bumps to pepper my arms, and my life to change immensely.  In this year of faith, I pray that I will be wise enough and courageous enough to share with others these times when God has been revealed to me.

               So rather than celebrating Twelve Drummers Drumming today.  I wish you a very joyful twelfth day of Christmas.  While most of us are back to our regular routines, I pray that you keep the peace of Christmas with you in the coming week!

              

Sleigh Bells?

               The Corner Bakery was unusually quiet as Noon approached last Friday.  It was Veteran’s Day, a legal US holiday.  Many of the buildings around this restaurant are government buildings, so it was a great day to meet my sister for lunch.  Although we live only 20 miles from each other, it had been a while since we were able to catch up on our lives.

                I ordered food and found a booth to sit.  As I slid into the booth, I shook my head.  Are they really playing Sleigh Bells?  It’s November 11, nearly two weeks before Thanksgiving and 45 days until Christmas begins.  They are not the only food emporium pushing the holidays.  The red coffee cups at Starbucks came out around Halloween, not Thanksgiving this year. 

                Maybe it is the economy and the news in general.  Perhaps the thinking is that Christmas music (if Sleigh Bells even qualifies) and red coffee cups create festive and cheerful surroundings.  If people are cheerful, will they buy more?

                This early exposure to Christmas celebration seems to bother me more and more each year.  In our house, we celebrate Advent.  We light the Advent wreath each night and read from an Advent book after dinner.  This tradition helps us stay focused on the Advent journey.  My fourteen-year-old son still enjoys lighting the candles.  At a time of year, when darkness arrives at five in the evening, the light and warmth on the table will be welcome.

                I’m not a purest.  Our Christmas tree goes up about 10 days before Christmas.  Much of my shopping done, (as I like to get gifts for family members from places where I’ve travelled) and I do enjoy listening to Christmas music before December 25^th. (I also have two CD’s with Advent music!)  When the radio stations stop playing Christmas music, (or maybe they call it holiday music) at midnight on December 25^th, I have my own CD’s in my car and at home.

                We also celebrate the Twelve Days of Christmas.  The readings for the masses between Christmas and Epiphany are beautiful.  Our new family tradition is to have a celebration on Epiphany – the REAL Epiphany – January 6^th, not the day celebrated by our church.

                This week, I’ll buy my Advent candles, plan the family Thanksgiving visit to Michigan, (my home state), look for my Advent CD’s  and enjoy the beautiful fall weather that is forecast . This is the week to enjoy the final days of trees decorated with beautiful color and to walk along Sligo Creek, hearing the crunch of leaves under my feet. 

I’ll spend my time during the season of hope, walking with Mary. When the music begins for mass at Midnight on December 25^th, I’ll be ready to celebrate the birth of our Savior, and thank God for the gift of His Son to us.