The Dialogue is the newsletter of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in St. Joseph, MO. Oftentimes, I'll post here on the blog my columns for the weekly newsletter. I mention it just so that folks who read the snail-mail version can skip this post if they've already read it.Have you ever wondered about the 12 Days of Christmas?
Sure, I think we’ve all wondered about who would give someone a partridge in a pear tree, but I’m not talking about the gifts. I’m talking about the 12 days. What is that about?
The 12 days of Christmas are not the twelve days prior to Christmas. If they were, we’d probably have to change it to the 30, 60 or 90 days before Christmas given the fact that the stores seem to pull out their Christmas decorations in September. No, the twelve days of Christmas run from Christmas Day until the Day of Epiphany, January 6. Epiphany and the season that follows celebrate the Wise Men from the East bringing their gifts to Jesus symbolizing the universal nature of God’s love in Jesus Christ being for people of all nations. The twelve days between Christmas Day and Epiphany are meant for the celebration of the Christ child’s arrival and the abundant love of God symbolized by that birth. Prior to the development of the modern retail juggernaut, Advent was a somber time and the twelve days were the times for feasting and merriment.
It’s good news to me that we get twelve days to celebrate Christmas. Given the line of work I’m in, the season of Advent is a busy time of carrying out special events and trying to finalize administrative matters for the end of the calendar year. I always breathe a sigh of relief every year when the last notes are sung at the Christmas Eve service, because that means (hopefully) that I have no more ministerial duties to perform and can simply be with my family. Even though Advent is a meaningful time for me as a minister, it is not a relaxing or meditative time for me. I could use some time after Christmas to reflect upon what the season is about.
Perhaps you feel the same way. For many people, the weeks leading up to Christmas are filled with busyness that leaves them tired and worn out. You may have breathed your own sigh of relief when it is all over. Christmas cards have to be addressed and mailed. Christmas parties and concerts have to be attended. Presents must be bought, and if you have small children, they must be put together (often the most stressful part of Christmas comes when parents argue over whether or not to consult the assembly instructions). Even doing good deeds of charity can add to the holiday stress. Maybe you too could use the twelve days after Christmas to reflect upon the spiritual meaning of the day as well.
After Christmas when the decorations are coming down and you’ve already hit the after Christmas sales, why not take some time out to find some stillness and quiet? Why not make the twelve days of Christmas a time for you and God together? After the cacophony of Christmas music and commercial marketing, this could be a time for you to refresh your spirit.
Grace and Peace,
The 12 days of Christmas are not the twelve days prior to Christmas. If they were, we’d probably have to change it to the 30, 60 or 90 days before Christmas given the fact that the stores seem to pull out their Christmas decorations in September. No, the twelve days of Christmas run from Christmas Day until the Day of Epiphany, January 6. Epiphany and the season that follows celebrate the Wise Men from the East bringing their gifts to Jesus symbolizing the universal nature of God’s love in Jesus Christ being for people of all nations. The twelve days between Christmas Day and Epiphany are meant for the celebration of the Christ child’s arrival and the abundant love of God symbolized by that birth. Prior to the development of the modern retail juggernaut, Advent was a somber time and the twelve days were the times for feasting and merriment.
It’s good news to me that we get twelve days to celebrate Christmas. Given the line of work I’m in, the season of Advent is a busy time of carrying out special events and trying to finalize administrative matters for the end of the calendar year. I always breathe a sigh of relief every year when the last notes are sung at the Christmas Eve service, because that means (hopefully) that I have no more ministerial duties to perform and can simply be with my family. Even though Advent is a meaningful time for me as a minister, it is not a relaxing or meditative time for me. I could use some time after Christmas to reflect upon what the season is about.
Perhaps you feel the same way. For many people, the weeks leading up to Christmas are filled with busyness that leaves them tired and worn out. You may have breathed your own sigh of relief when it is all over. Christmas cards have to be addressed and mailed. Christmas parties and concerts have to be attended. Presents must be bought, and if you have small children, they must be put together (often the most stressful part of Christmas comes when parents argue over whether or not to consult the assembly instructions). Even doing good deeds of charity can add to the holiday stress. Maybe you too could use the twelve days after Christmas to reflect upon the spiritual meaning of the day as well.
After Christmas when the decorations are coming down and you’ve already hit the after Christmas sales, why not take some time out to find some stillness and quiet? Why not make the twelve days of Christmas a time for you and God together? After the cacophony of Christmas music and commercial marketing, this could be a time for you to refresh your spirit.
Grace and Peace,
Chase
No comments:
Post a Comment