Epiphany - The End of Christmastide

Often lost or overlooked in the quieter days following the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, Epiphany (January 6) approaches. Observed as the end of Christmastide, Epiphany ushers in Ordinary Time.

We celebrate the visit of the Magi to the Christ Child, retelling the story of their journey to Bethlehem as we reflect upon what it means to seek Christ today, and what gifts we can offer.

It is perhaps the timing of Epiphany that makes it one of my favorites. It is the dawn of a new year, a fresh slate, and an opportunity to realign my path with God's purpose and offer Him my very best.

Celebrating Epiphany is a joyous occasion, whether you share in the fun with the littles in your life, or even in a quiet, personal observance alone or with your spouse.  With stars and crowns and kings, it sheds a golden light upon the darker days of winter.

Today I'm sharing a number of ideas for ways that you can observe and celebrate this special day. Of course, I am by no means suggesting that you do all of them. So why not sit back with a warm cup of tea or your favorite beverage, maybe nibble on a few lingering holiday treats, if you still have them around, and decide on a few ideas that seem do-able to you. You can always come back to this post next year (it will be easily tucked away under Christmas and Epiphany).

Traditions
Grass Boxes - after their long journey, the camels the three kings rode in on will be tired and hungry. Have your child leave a box of grass (you could easily buy some fake straw or maybe even use some easter grass) under their bed for the camels. The next morning they will awake to find a few small treasures (gifts), the camels left in appreciation.

The Blessing of the Home - traditionally a priest blesses the home, but the head of the house can carry out the blessing as well. The traditional ceremony can be found here.

The Chalking of the Door
(if desired the head of the home can bless the chalk, prior to chalking the door)

20 + C + M + B + 20 

The C, M, and B are placed in between the numbers of the current year, with crosses in between each symbol. The three letters have two significations: the invocation Christus Mansionem Benedicat (Christ bless this house), as well as the first initial of the names of the three Magi: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar.

The Blessing of the Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh  - Some traditionally include their gold (wedding bands, etc) or other precious jewels blessed as well.

Crafts
Epiphany Prayer Boxes - I love this idea, Will you give Jesus your heart? Will you give Jesus your mind? Will you give Jesus your treasures?
Three Wise Men Paper Toys - These would be quick and easy to make, and fun for the littles in your life.
Three Kings made from toilet paper rolls. Just use materials you already have!
Here's another cute Three Kings craft, made using popsicle sticks, construction paper and glitter!
Glittery Crowns - another simple craft idea. These would be pretty made up and sitting on the table with a small votive candle in the middle.
Three Kings Crowns - a simple crown for your child to wear.
Three Kings Ornament - just print it off and let your child color and decorate it.

Food
King's Cake - this recipe is actually for Queen Mary, but would be perfect for the Epiphany.
Eggnog Pound Cake - I just love the sound of this recipe, and think it would also be fitting.

Whatever recipe you use, be sure to hide Baby Jesus inside which is symbolic of the Holy Family's flight to avoid King Herod.  Whoever finds the baby in the slice of cake receives a special blessing for the upcoming year.

Wassail - Wassail is popular throughout the Christmas season, but is also traditionally served on Twelfth Night and/or on the Epiphany.  This recipe is for an easy one, made in the crock pot.

The Gifts of the Kings - the are made using Pringles cans, but it would be lovely to place the contents in bowls for your table.

Jewel Bark - this candy would be lovely to make especially for this day.

Other Ideas
Watch The Star, for little ones, but maybe your not so little ones, too.
The Star, for the older ones

Merry Christmas!

 Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!

❈

The Twelve Days of Christmas - God With Us

Today I want to discuss the celebration of The Twelve Days of Christmas! Although it’s a foreign idea to most people in our culture, the Christmas season, or Christmastide, doesn’t actually begin until Christmas Day, and lasts for the next twelve days until the Feast of Epiphany or Three Kings Day on January 6. In these lingering days, we observe and celebrate the Incarnation: “God With Us”!

A bit of history, according to legend, each of the twelve days has an allegorical meaning pointing to different essential elements of the Christian faith. The legend says that it was used as a teaching tool to teach children the basics of the faith during the sixteenth century when Christmas was banned in England . Although in determining the accuracy of this claim I did come upon some argument that seems worth considering, as with so many of the observances during this season, our celebrations are what we choose to make of them. For me personally, attributing this meaning to the verses of this carol makes it rich with new meaning. I don't need for the "legend" to be true for anyone other than for me and my family.

However, the tradition of celebrating and observing the Twelve Days of Christmas was something our family did not discover until our daughter was a little older, and in our home that meant receiving twelve additional gifts after Christmas Day. They were all typically small in nature, or perhaps second hand. Some years I regifted items that belonged to me and held special meaning that I wanted to pass on to her, such as a special book from my library. But most days she found things such as candy, small toys from the dollar store, perhaps a new card game. A couple of years I even wrote out little clues on cards that were left on the breakfast table directing her to where she would find that days gift concealed and waiting. It was great fun.

My little girl is all grown up now, but I still carry the happy memories of those days. So I thought that if this is something new for you and your family that I might share some of the ideas and resources that we've used in the past, and even a few that I've discovered in researching this post that you can use to perhaps begin your own traditions. Even if like me, you don't have children in the home anymore, we can still seek the gift of each day that is always present, and some of the readings I'll be sharing will aide you in that.

Today in the days following Christmas,  I will be posting a small reading from some of the books and resources we've used over the years, and as I said, some that I've only just discovered, along with links to other fun resources that you can use either alone or with the littles in your life to add deeper meaning. I'l begin today by sharing some links to a few books that we have in our library and that I think would make beautiful additions to yours as well. I realize this post is a bit late in the season for you to acquire these books, if you don't already own them but I was able to find a link to a lovely reading of Jan Brett's edition which I've included below.

❊ THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

by Laurel Long

This is my absolute favorite book depicting this beautiful carol. Laurel Long's images, in my opinion, by far surpass any other rendition I have come across.

❊ THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

by Lara Hawthorne

I love this edition for is folksy, perhaps somewhat more modern day depiction of each of the twelve days. Definitely different than Laurel Long's, but a nice constrast to the more formal illustrations and fun for families.

❊ THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

by Jan Brett

And then of course we have the edition by the beloved Jan Brett, and you can never go wrong with Jan!

You can find a lovely reading of this book, here.

I also found a link to some lovely coloring pages, and  if you're like me (just a kid at heart), you will never outgrow coloring, so no shame! The pages are lovely and definitely something even adults could enjoy! But I wanted to provide the link to them here today in the event that you want to have them pre-printed and ready to go. These pages do attest to the legend behind the song, so if that's not something you want to include, the second link below will take you  to a beautiful set that follows along with the traditional story behind the song.

THE LEGEND OF THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS COLORING PAGES

TRADITIONAL COLORING PAGES

And just for further explanation, according to legend, the earthly suitor, referred to as the "true love" mentioned in the song refers to God himself. The "me" who receives the presents is symbolic of every baptized person. The "partridge in the pear tree" is Jesus Christ, symbolically presented as a mother partridge who feigns injury to decoy predators from her helpless nestlings the meaning of the other symbols are as follows:

The 2 Turtle Doves are The Old and New Testaments
The 3 French hens are Faith, Hope, and Charity, the theological virtues.
The 4 Calling Birds are the four gospels and/or the four evangelists.
The 5 Golden Rings are the first five books of the Old Testament.
The 6 Geese A-laying are the six days of creation.
The 7 Swans A-swimming are the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments.
The 8 Maids A-milking are the eight beatitudes.
The 9 Ladies Dancing are the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit.
The 10 Lords A-leaping are the ten commandments.
The 11 Pipers Piping are the eleven faithful apostles.
The 12 Drummers Drumming are the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle’s Creed.

So I hope you'll join me in lingering in these lovely days of Christmas, and perhaps find new meaning in an old song.

❈

Merry & Bright - Day #1

The internet is full of so many wonderful ideas and resources, especially this time of year, and I've come across some gems recently. So, I thought it might be fun to write a little series of posts and share some of what I've found with you, my loyal readers and friends, a little gift you might say, wrapped in love and passed on to you. There will be a series of five posts starting today through Friday, and then the final post in the series will be on Monday, December 23, so five posts total! I'm looking forward to putting them together and sharing them with you, and I hope you'll enjoy!

If you were here earlier today, I hope you'll take a second look, because I decided to jazz this post up a bit and make it pretty!

And with that. . . .

Good morning, and welcome to Day #1 of MERRY & BRIGHT!

So to start right off, is this not possibly the most beautiful quilt you've ever seen? It showed up when I was searching on Instragram, and gah! I have hopes of quilting one day and I have a lot of smaller pieces saved in various places with the intention of making them, but, well, I won't tell you how long they've been saved. But, thankfully I can appreciate someone else's work and ooooh and aaahh over their accomplishments. Also, I don't remember who posted this picture, but if I can figure it out and I will come back and give due credit!

QUITE CHRISTMAS INSTRUMENTALS

I came across this playlist just this week, it's perfect to have playing in the background during your holiday get together, or while decorating the tree.

A LOVELY BLEND FOR YOUR DIFFUSER

I love my diffuser and use it year round to fill our home with lovely scents. This is one I've enjoyed lately.

O Christmas Tree

- 3 drops fir

- 3 drops cedarwood

- 3 drops pine

SEED AND SPARROW

Kelsey is one of my favorite You Tubers, a true kindred spirit! This video is particularly lovely, but I encourage you to peruse her other offerings.

- Enjoy!

❈