The twelfth day of Christmas – January 5
Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 2, 110:1-5(6,7); Joshua 2:2-9; Eph. 6:10-20; John 11:17-27, 38-44
Last night as we were cleaning up after dinner, Sam asked a question. He asks a similar question each year. For nearly fifteen years. “When is it that I can start taking down the tree? Thursday?” He has been wanting to take down the tree since December 26. And yet, we keep it up – for Christmas is a season, not a solitary day, that spans from Christmas Day until sundown on the twelfth day (today) – and tomorrow is Epiphany!
If you read about the meaning behind the twelve days of Christmas in popular lore, there are many rabbit trails of exploration: the history of “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” heralded by some as the most annoying Christmas carol; theological ties to the twelve gifts; how the twelve gifts named in the lyrical poem (penned in England circa 1780) contained secret codes for ancient Christians; and so forth. While I am not certain of the veracity of all these web results, especially the secret code part, I do commend to you the rendition of this song presented by John Denver and the Muppets: https://youtu.be/8ygW5hLgnn4.
In seeking to understand the framework undergirding our rhythm of the twelve days of Christmas, prior to the celebration of Epiphany on January 6, I looked further back in history. I found this assertion: “In 567, the Council of Tours ‘proclaimed the twelve days from Christmas to Epiphany as a sacred and festive season, and established the duty of Advent fasting in preparation for the feast.’” This sounded pretty legitimate – and so I sought out more information on the 566-567 Council of Tours. The first lead I read summarized this council in this way: if a cleric was found in bed with his wife, he was excommunicated for one year and returned to the laity. Ha!
I kept searching and came across the transcripts in Latin from this council of the church, by way of an absolutely informative and timely blog entitled, “When to take down the Christmas decorations? A canon of the 2nd Council of Tours (567)”! Thanks to the dedication of Roger Pearse, who penned this article, I learned that the canons which emerged from the second Council of Tours did speak of the days leading up to Christmas and those between Christmas and Epiphany. The content of those directions addressed the daily habits of monks. Fasting was to happen daily in December, in the days leading up until Christmas. During the Christmas feast time, the monks were to eat a breakfast daily, rather than the norm through much of the year, which included fasting three times per week.
The canons (sadly) gave no guidance around the timing of dismantling Christmas trees and removing twinkly lights at the homes of clergy or laity.
So, what does all of this mean, on the twelfth day of Christmas? As the beat of twelve drummers drumming pulses in my head, the words of the apostle Paul in the daily lectionary send us off as we ring in the final day of Christmas: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power…Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness.” (Ephesians 6:10, 14) Paul calls the church at Ephesus to unity, for the real struggle is not against the people around us, but against the spiritual forces of evil which seek to darken the light of Christ. Paul gives direction to the Ephesians, preparing them to proclaim the gospel and live in faith, equipped with the protection of God’s salvation, Spirit, and word. He ends this instruction with a boost, to keep them always grounded: “Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel” (v. 18-19)
Wherever we go, we are called to march together, walking in step with our sisters and brothers for Christ, living into the gospel hope. We are to pray in the Spirit of God and pray for one another. And, if one of our brothers or sisters takes down their decorations before sundown on the twelfth day of Christmas, it does not make that person an enemy to the faith. Jesus came to equip each of us to walk in love.
I pray that songs of joy fill your heart this and every day.
-- Katherine+
Questions for Reflection
What drives you to be curious to understand the "why" of something that is commonly accepted?
Who encourages you to be curious, and who encourages you to deepen your faith in God?
Daily Challenge
Today, whether you are packing up decorations or facing a desk full of tasks, get curious. Do some research. Perhaps it is on a matter of faith. Perhaps it is on a matter of genealogy. Perhaps it is to understand your neighbor better. Pray that God moves your heart and mind to greater understanding of those around you - and perhaps of yourself, too.