Eleven years ago today, I
learned about the Epiphany, Kings Day.
Actually, eleven years ago today, I learned that there is a day known as
the Epiphany, or Kings Day. I learned
that such a day exists eleven years ago because that was when Gramps
passed. Aunt Mary had said how fitting
it was that Gramps of all people pass on Kings Day. I developed a vague idea of its meaning, but
that was about it. I just knew that
Kings Day was an extra special day, not only was it the day representing the
Kings arrival to visit Jesus, but it was also the day that Gramps arrived in
Heaven to be with Grandma, John, Chris, Grandma Hayes, and so many other
wonderful people. It was also the day
Gramps got to go home to his Lord and Savior.
Like all knowledge, we learn
more as time goes on and we learn what questions to ask. Over that eleven year span, I learned that in
truth, Christmas starts on December 25.
Christmas day is the First Day of Christmas. The Twelve Days of
Christmas represent from the birth of Jesus until the Three Wise Men came and
presented the Baby Jesus with Gold, Frankincense, and Mur.
This year we were unable to
celebrate Kings Day. To me it is as
important a part of the Church Calendar as Christmas and Easter, but somehow it
has been nearly forgotten. I have a
professor from England. Last year he was
telling us how surprised he was his first Christmas in the United States. There was this huge build up until Christmas
day, and then the day after Christmas it was over with. It’s funny that our nation, a great Christian
nation races to one of the greatest days of the year to only drop it the next
day.
I don’t know how other churches
do it, but the Catholic Church celebrates the Sundays of Christmas as well as
the days of Christmas and Kings Day during Mass. If you are not paying close attention and
asking questions however, you are going to miss it. It is almost as though there is a secret club
of people who truly understand and celebrate the days of Christmas as they are
meant, not by happenstance because the day falls on a Sunday.
The kids had learned that
different vestments meant different things, and that certain colors represented
different Church seasons. I learned
these things through participating as a volunteer in many of the church
activities, Vacation Bible Schools, and etc.
I also had the privilege of attending RCIA as an adult in an absolutely
incredible Parish.
Most people I talk to about our
Celebration of the Twelve Days of Christmas are learning something new that
they had never heard of. I had thought I
was particularly ignorant in not knowing the 12 days begins and not ends on
Christmas day, but I’m finding that I wasn’t.
Very few people I know or meet are aware that Christmas day begins the
12 days, that of course comes quite a bit from the commercialization of
Christmas.
The commercialization is why I
really like to celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas. All the bling of Christmas is over on the
Second Day of Christmas, then you are starting to celebrate the true meaning of
it all, at least that is what it feels like to me. I’ve yet been able to pull off all twelve
days and this year has been the worst since I discovered what the Twelve Days
of Christmas are about.
Today is the Twelfth Day of Christmas and I
feel as though I have missed Christmas all together. It’s hard to imagine that the New Year is
beginning this way. I use the excuse
that I was sick for most of the break, the thing is that it is just that, an
excuse. The gravity of the day had not
hit me until I viewed this picture my brother posted on Facebook. Yes, Facebook of all places reminded me of
what today is.
Our God is an Awesome God, and
a forgiving God. That is why the reality
of Christmas can be felt and celebrated, even though late, through the beauty
of a picture. Thank you BJ for sharing
this great piece of artwork and therefore helping me to start off the New Year
in a good place.
May the Good Lord
Bless and Keep You Always, all of you.
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