Traditionally, in Christian liturgical tradition, Christmastide (The Season of Christmas) slowly developed … even before the early Middle Ages. By the fourth century, western Christianity had agreed that December 25th was the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ while eastern Christianity emphasized January 6th. Sometime in the medieval period in western Europe, especially in England, Christmas became a twelve day Season from December 25 to January 6th with both cultural celebration and religious observance marked by families getting together with feasting, entertainment, music, and gift-giving.
The song Twelve Days of Christmas (the song’s lyrics were first published in England in the late 18th century by unknown lyricist. The melody was arranged by English composer Frederic Austin in 1909. The song reflected the cultural context by referencing the calendar structure of Christmastide rather than serving as a theological explanation. Bottom lineL the “twelve days,” historically grounded in the Christian liturgical calendar, also reflect a secular time of celebration.
Over the centuries, many have tried various interpretations of the specific listing of the days in the 12 day Season: allegorical … romantic … educational … symbolic … Christian catechism interpretations assigning religious meaning to each gift … modern interpretations.
And that’s where “Soulistry-Artistry of the Soul” entered so on each of the days during the 12 Days of Christmas, a Reflection on one of the 12 Days of Christmas will be published to encourage consideration of how each of the days of Christmas can be applied to present day life by each of us.
The original song included these days:
A partridge in a pear tree
Two turtle doves
Three French hens
Four calling birds (often sung as “four colly birds” in older versions)
Whether marking the next 12 days as a religious tradition or religious belief, may the Christmas Season (all 12 Days!) be a blessing in ways none of us can imagine.
Let’s think possibilities!
May we enjoy each of the 12 Days of Christmas.
On each of the 12 days of Christmas – December 15 to January 5, a ‘Soulistry’ reflection will be posted here : … for reflection … for consideration … for a gentle and possibly new way to experience Christmas for 12 days, not just one day!
And then – on to the Season of Epiphany … the Season of Light. But for now, let’s focus on this Season: the Christmas Season. 🙂 Merry Christmas!
As I sat in the stillness of early Christmas morning in a quiet time of meditation, the angel on the Christmas tree, dressed in white satin and tiny pearls, softly blew on her trumpet.
“Hope” she gently trumpeted. “Hope for those who feel hopeless. Don’t lose sight of hope.”
“Joy” she gently trumpeted. “Joy for those who experience no joy. Don’t lose sight of joy.”
“Peace” she gently trumpeted. “Peace for those who don’t know what peace feels like. Don’t lose sight of peace.”
“Love” she gently trumpeted. “Love for those who are unaware that love exists. Don’t lose sight of love.”
But, from time to time, we lose sight of peace and joy and love and hope, as personal worries, global concerns, fear, war, financial and unresolved health issues occupy our thoughts.
Gentle Trumpeting Angel, you have sounded the call to remember that the signs of Hope, Peace, Joy, Love … *are* here. Sometimes in big ways. Sometimes in not-so-big ways. But, they are here. This holiday season, may we rejoice … let the angels wrap us in their loving wings and give us signs and reminders that Hope and Joy and Peace and Love are possible for ourselves and for our world.
May the entire Season of Christmas, with its 12 days, be blessed. Blessed with hope, peace, joy and love in ways you can’t even begin to imagine. And may your soul be touched in some gentle, unexpected way.
Merry Christmas! Today is the *first* of the 12 Days of Christmas!
Onwards to the remaining eleven days of the Season of Christmas.
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Today is Christmas Eve in this part of the world. And for many, it’s a special time. Or, is it?
Do you remember Archie Bunker of TV’s “All in the Family” fame? In one Christmas Eve episode, Archie said to his wife Edith: “Stifle, Edith. Let’s have a little Silent Night around here for a change. I’m the only one thinking of the real solemn meaning of Christmas. Christmas is supposed to be a time of peace and quiet contemplation.”
Edith replied “But Archie, I think you’re allowed to be jolly, too.”
“Sure, Edith. I never said you shouldn’t be jolly. Just be jolly with your mouth shut” said Archie.
When I first saw that tv episode, I was not amused by Archie’s response. When I saw that episode again, I couldn’t help but wonder, especially in light of all the misery, suffering, fear-about-the-future that is happening, how can people “stifle” Christmas?
Joy is needed. Hope in a better tomorrow is needed. Celebration is needed. Especially at a time such as this.
Children are a wonderful reminder that ultimately … good *can* conquer evil … hope *can* overcome despair … love *can* obliterate hatred … joy *can* permeate sadness.
If we “stifle” the joy, the hope, the celebration …
If we “stifle” … and don’t speak out against hatred, racism, lies, evil … don’t speak out against what we know is wrong … don’t let our voice and actions protest injustice and cruelty, a legacy will be left for children that will change this world in unspeakable ways.
There could be no children who … will be able to teach how to live with hope, goodness, love, joy … could give hope with … their smiles and infectious eyes … their innocence … their ability to enter into joy with their imagination intact … their anticipation and sheer delight at holidays and birthdays … their wide-eyed awe at the sight of a puppy, a kitten, coloured Christmas lights … their expectant hope that Santa would visit them this night.
Let us not stifle! Let’s let the children teach us. Teach us how to “live Christmas” whether Christmas is observed as a religious celebration or a secular holiday.
Let us look for the good, the joy, the hope, the Santa, the elves, the Christ Child, the angels, the simple act of believing that each day is a gift and each person is a gift.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Tomorrow, Christmas Day, begins the Twelve Days of Christmas: the first day of the Season of Christmas.
Many are about to, have been, are celebrating festive holidays and will be giving up their holidays to care for others.
Firefighters, police officers, Air Traffic controllers, Hydro Line Workers (PLT’s) EMT’s, physicians, armed forces in combat, nurses, 911 Dispatchers, those protesting ICE raids, and more, will be facing difficult, perhaps life-threatening situations for some.
Let’s remember them and their families who are doing without them at this holiday time so they can serve the needs of others. May they know how grateful we are that they are there, fighting fires that they are repairing downed power lines; rescuing people in flooded areas; dealing with traffic accidents; caring for others in hospitals, extended care facilities, ER’s, airports, railway stations bus stations; providing meals and beds and warmth for the homeless; visiting the lonely, bereaved, widowed at this difficult time; protecting the vulnerable; and may they all be safe.
Thank you, and may your selfless giving to others bless you in unexpected ways.
It’s December 23rd – the “eve of Christmas Eve”. I’ve been hearing a concern from many who say something like … “I’ve not finished making/sending my Christmas cards – or received cards from friends I forgot to include in my Christmas card list? I meant to, but … the weather was miserable, I wasn’t well, work/the kids were demanding my attention, I didn’t have the energy, the postal strike upset my plans, I can’t get into the mood for Christmas this year with all of the terrible news …”
It’s the eve-of-Christmas-Eve and they’re thinking that it’s too late to mail anything before Christmas … the clock is ticking … December 25th is almost here and Christmas will be over too soon.
No! Christmas won’t be over on December 26th. Christmas isn’t just one day. Christmas is an entire season! Christmas Day simply is the First Day of the “Season of Christmas” and it’s followed by eleven other days: the Twelve Days of Christmas! 🙂
So ignore the television celebrities who have been having special 12 day giveaways … ignore the stores who will quickly remove the Christmas displays and put up Valentine’s Day displays. Ignore it all and enjoy the Twelve Days of Christmas. Each precious one of them.
The reality is – you’ve got time to enjoy Christmas! … you’ve got time to bake cookies and take them to a neighbour or friend who is unwell or on their own. … you’ve got time to send Christmas cards to family and friends. … you’ve got time to decorate because – Because the Season Christmas lasts until the end of January 5th!
On each of the Twelve Days of Christmas, “Soulistry” will offer a reflection about that day and link it to the well- known Twelve Days of Christmas song in a unique way. The series begins tomorrow night, Christmas Eve, at https://soulistry.com/blog Check it out each day or simply subscribe (it’s free).
May the Season of Christmas … all Twelve Days … extend the Spirit of Christmas beyond Christmas Day. May the Spirit of Christmas dwell deep within. May the Spirit of Christmas bring peace, joy, love, and hope to our pandemic-riddled world.
And by the way, if you wanted to send someone Christmas greetings (a card, a visit, a phone call, an email) do it! You’ve got lots of time. 🙂
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