The 12th Day of Christmas
Recall that the Christmas cycle is 13 days, not 12 like the song. Tomorrow — Feast of the Epiphany — is an Omega & Alpha Day (both an end and a beginning). 06 January is the final day of the Christmas cycle and the first day of the Season of Epiphany that stretches until the opening of Lent.
For the Celts, this day was a prep day to prepare the house and oneself to conclude the Winter Solstice Festival tomorrow. Why a 13 day festival? 13 was the number sacred to the Goddess and the Winter Solstice Festival was in honor of birthing.
For Christians, this is likewise a prep day before the Feast of the Epiphany. While we tend to think of the Feast as the day the Magi arrived to adore the Christ Child — that is not accurate. Epiphany means “radiance made manifest.”
Over Christian history, three different gospel passages have been read to proclaim the feast. Yes, the story of Magi is one. The other two are Jesus receiving a Mikvah Bath (the name baptism in the text is a translation error) and the account of water becoming wine at the Wedding Feast of Cana.
In all three accounts, we see “radiance made manifest.” This is the great proclamation of Epiphany,
Again in older Christian tradition, the daylight hours today were ones where Christmas ornaments were removed from the Tree and Epiphany or “Mardi Gras” ornaments were placed on it.
What are Epiphany ornaments? They are objects/items that speaks of your true and royal nature. In times past, the Tree would be decorated with the colors of your nation’s royal family — French, British, Austrian, Italian etc.
More on the great Season of Epiphany tomorrow. For today, clean your house and your inner soul room. Prepare to open a seven week reflection, celebrating our (collective) and your (personal) royal nature.
Make one’s heart ready to receive the gifts of the Magi — the Mikvah Bath and water become wine. All of these reveal fresh radiance that is now made manifest.
Blessed Prep Day. Holy 12th Day of Christmas!
Tonight at sunset — light your Epiphany Tree. End one season and begin another.
