Epiphany - The 12 Days of Christmas

I remember a long time ago, when My Pat asked me innocently - 'What is meant by the 12 days of Christmas'?  I think I lamely referred to the silly Christmas Song.  Heck, I probably sang it to her over and over again driving her crazy.  I don't know why, but I have never forgotten that casual little request.  Last night I had a terrible night.  No sleep, my stomach was upset, my cold was awful and I got to thinking about the 12 days and answering her request.  I opened my computer and surfed the net to find out.  I am sure that most of you already knew most of this, but here is what I found. 

Christian tradition denotes, January 6 as the celebration of Epiphany. It goes by other names in various church traditions.  In Hispanic and Latin culture, as well as some places in Europe, it is known as Three Kings’ Day or as most of us recognize the day that the 3 Kings brought gifts to Baby Jesus.  Because of differences in church calendars, mainly between the Eastern Orthodox and the western Catholic and Protestant traditions, both Christmas and Epiphany have been observed at different times in the past. 

Epiphany is the climax of the Advent/Christmas Season and the Twelve Days of Christmas, which are usually counted from the evening of December 25th until the morning of January 6th, which is the Twelfth Day. In following this older custom of counting the days beginning at sundown, the evening of January 5th is the Twelfth Night. This is an occasion for feasting in some cultures, including the baking of a special King's Cake as part of the festivities of Epiphany (a King's Cake is part of the observance of Mardi Gras in French Catholic culture of the Southern USA). 

The term epiphany means "to show" or "to make known" or even "to reveal." In Western churches, it remembers the coming of the wise men bringing gifts to visit the Christ child, who by so doing "reveal" Jesus to the world as Lord and King. In some Central and South American countries influenced by Catholic tradition, Three Kings’ Day, or the night before, is the time for opening Christmas presents. In some eastern churches, Epiphany or the Theophany commemorates Jesus’ baptism, with the visit of the Magi linked to Christmas. 

My conclusion is that the celebration of Christmas is more than one day.  It would have to be.  Somehow I think that the evolution of gift giving on Christmas morning and the retail focus and drive by todays society has affected tradition even more.  I also think that our celebration of New Years Day has somewhat clouded our understanding of the 12 nights.  This year I will be celebrating Christmas multiple times and it will seem as though we will be celebrating the original 12 days of Christmas.  I will have Christmas morning at Sara's with Branden and Michael.  Then will enjoy their company for the next few days.  I will then be heading South a few days after, with Stops in Maryland and Viriginia.  I am going to strive to make those stops a form of a Christmas event.  I have estimated that we will depart for Florida mid week arriving in Palm Coast by New Years.  I will take a day or so to settle in and get organized.  But then on the 12th night I am hoping for a modest get together at my place with all of my family members that may be able to attend.  You are all invited, but if you can't attend I understand.  I am looking forward to it.  Have a safe and wonderful Holiday.  

Love to All, D.  MYD

PS:  Sorry it took me so long to answer your question BabyGirl.  Please Forgive Me and I Thank You for planting the seed for my Epiphany.  Love, D.

Happy Graduation

This past weekend I traveled to Charlotte, NC to attend my nephew Jason Roberts Graduation from the University of North Carolina.   I was honored to have been invited to the ceremony which was also attended by Jay's Mom, my sister Delby, his sister Megan, his dad Fred and other family and friends.  He earned the status of 'Cum Laude' which is a symbol of Scholastic Honor and his accomplishment is a stepping stone to earning a 'Master's Degree' in Physics.  I am pretty sure that is a first in our family.  I learned a couple of things that day.  I always thought a physic was something to help  you go to the bathroom, but when I asked, Jay got this look of fright on his face.   Actually, all joking aside, I read his Thesis and was very impressed.  It was a postulation on Inorganic-Organic Hybrid Photovoltaic Characterization.  I am pretty sure that the theme was tied to 'Renewable Energy' which while reading it, actually kinda scared me.  

Sister Delby, Niece Megan, Jason, His Dad Fred, Me

After the ceremony I visited Jay's apartment and gave his friends and family a postulation of my own.  I believe that sometime in the next 100 years our society will derive it's energy needs from a renewable resource.  In the 18th century the energy source was wood, in the 19th century it was coal, in the 20th century it was oil.   And in the 21st century it will be human waste.  I call it the 'Full of Shit' theory.   Have any of you ever noticed that the star ship 'Enterprise' doesn't have any toilets?  Well that is because in the future when someone has to dump, they push a button on their belt and the load is beamed (beam me up Scotty) to the renewable energy factory which is what powers their starship.  When I finished the room was full of silence.  Maybe they needed time to 'Digest' this idea?   


Jay, please don't take my goofing around as a trivialization of the wonders that you have accomplished.  I am very proud of you and what you are doing with your life.  I wish you all could have been there to share in the very wonderful success of one of our family.  Congratulations Jason.  We are all very proud of you!


Love to All,  D


PS:  Merry Christmas.  Be Safe and Be Happy


PPS:  Happy New Year