as defined by the Oxford English Dictionary- "the evening of the fifth of January, preceding Twelfth Day, the eve of the Epiphany, formerly the last day of the Christmas festivities and observed as a time of merrymaking. Do you celebrate?
Though it's thought by many to be bad luck to leave Christmas decorations up after the New Year-I love the idea of celebrating through the New Year til Twelfth Night. It seems that bad luck is more about ending what was already a mad rush and then dashing off to the next big thing. Just a day or two after Christmas, I thought it a bit sad to see trees dumped at the curb-alone, forgotten-after all that adoration and stringing of lights- to dismiss that long awaited delight so very summarily. The holidays rush in and out -granted this year seemed particularly fast paced, but for me and my family the year ended with our most prized possession being savored-time together, and especially the visits of my beloved niece and nephew. Their schedules meant they wouldn't be here at the same time so there were two celebrations-each special, and though there were marked absences this year- with the loss of our brother, Jon,our circle only tightens and the bonds forged over 50 years ago strengthen and sustain us.
Decorations are slowly coming down in the house, but the evergreens still hang outside on the doors and lanterns. We are keeping Christmas this Twelfth Night. As the New Year begins, loved ones are scattered back across the country-to California-to Indiana-but here I keep them in my heart alongside Christmas.
Gaye, you'll be sad to know that at the farm, not a single decoration goes up. I love not having to take it all down. Since no one comes to the farm for Christmas anymore, we do Christmas in Tulsa so Santa can find the grandkids. There, I decorate just enough so they know it's Christmas. That, and tons of gifts so they will keep coming for Christmas.
ReplyDeleteno doubt they love to come for you and the gifts! happy new year Donna and again I thank you for sticking out the past year with me. pgt
DeleteDear Gaye
ReplyDeleteI feel as you do about the twelve days of Christmas
In my childhood home in the west of Ireland we lit 12 candles on January 6th. We were assigned a candle and prayed as we lit the candle. As children will do we would whisper when the first candle extinguished "your going to die first" The other school children played the same game as the question at class on Jan 7 was "o.k.who is going to live the longest"
The blessing of the Epiphany to you
Helenx
Helen-and the same to you. pgt
DeleteOh me too - especially this year for us as well. The exterior will begin to be dismantled today and I will continue to put away the rest of the remaining decorations but I have loved celebrating all twelve of the days!
ReplyDeleteMarsha-due to the cold today- and tomorrow I will likely celebrate into the weekend! pgt
DeleteHappy New Year! Your last line reminded me of the ee cummings poem:
ReplyDeletei carry your heart with me(i carry it in
my heart)i am never without it(anywhere
i go you go,my dear;and whatever is done
by only me is your doing,my darling)
i fear
no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want
no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)
and it’s you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you
here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows
higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart
i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)
that is so beautiful-and so appreciate your recording it here-I"ve little doubt it will be seen again this month, thanks to you. pgt
DeleteBeautiful picture, Gaye. The tradition sticks here to celebrate Epiphany with a king's cake and take down the tree on the 6th, though as you say there are many who expedite the affair and savagely chuck out the tree asap. I always listen to Christmas music one last time while un-decorating and since the children were little we've always said good bye to the tree, "see you next year" even if it is not quite the same one. And now, good wishes for the New Year!
ReplyDelete