On this, the Second Day in the Season of Christmas may the “two turtle doves” as in the “12 Days of Christmas” song notes be …
Two Times the Gift of Insight about the true meaning of the Christmas Message.
Two Times the Gift of Patience with others and ourselves.
Two Times the Gift of Serenity to accept the things we cannot change.
Two Times the Gift of Courage to change the things we can.
Two Times the Gift of Wisdom to know the difference between things we can and cannot change. Two Times the Gift of Love to give and receive.
Two Times the Gift of Hope to focus on possibilities
Happy Second Day – “Two Times” Day – of Christmas!
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May the Twelve Days of Christmas be a reminder that Christmas isn’t just “one day.” The Spirit of Christmas can continue to be alive in hearts and lives and be lived every day – even beyond the Season of Christmas.
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.
