^{Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo in Ravenna, Italy: The “Three Wise Men” (named Balthasar, Melchior, and Caspar). Detail from: “Mary and Child, surrounded by angels”, mosaic of a Ravennate italian-byzantine workshop, completed within 526 AD by the so-called “Master of Sant’Apollinare”. Photo from Wikipedia – photo credit: Nina Aldin Thune.}

Although there may be some disagreement about that. Some traditions count Christmas day itself as the first day of the twelve days, and some count the day after Christmas as the first day of the twelve days, so I guess it depends on your tradition. At any rate, the traditional Christmas celebration doesn’t start until late Christmas Eve, and continues on through the feast of the Epiphany on January 6.

There’s something satisfyingly counter-cultural about waiting until Christmas Eve to begin celebrating the holiday instead of starting at Halloween when all the commercial hype and hoopla start to appear. And of course being late appeals to my Inner Procrastinator. I think most of all, I’ve really enjoyed learning more this year about ways that people through the past two centuries have been inspired to place themselves into the traditional Christmas stories and re-create them through writing, music, poetry, art, ritual and tradition. It’s given me some ideas that I’d like to try next year.

Reading about Twelfth Night last night, I found the above mosaic, and this old passage, which in turn inspired T. S. Eliot in writing his poem The Journey of the Magi:

“A cold coming they had of it at this time of the year, just the worst time of the year to take a journey, and specially a long journey in. The ways deep, the weather sharp, the days short, the sun farthest off, in solstitio brumali, “the very dead of winter.” – from Lancelot Andrewes’s “Nativity Sermon” of 16222 years ago

Thought about Christmas still. Thought about how next Christmas I want to go caroling (really relearn the lyrics!), create and send handmade cards, and suggest to my family that we do a grab bag (done properly, it’s so much fun!) instead of gifts to each family. Among other things…

And decided now I have enjoyed the Christmas lights to their fullest. I truly am ready to take ours down this weekend. 2 years ago

It really is the lights. I can’t get enough of them. My neighbors took theirs down last week. I want to wait until this weekend to take them down. 2 years ago

Enjoyed the Christmas lights more, especially seeing those near the movie theater when we were there last night. Wow, so many little colored lights. Some looked like sprinkles on a sugar cookie. 2 years ago

On the fourth day of Christmas, I enjoyed the Christmas lights that were decorating the houses along the route to the gym. (Thanks, everyone, who has lights at this time of year.) 2 years ago

On the first day, my husband and I saw all of my immediate family. It was a joyous celebration. I cried when we left, though (I hate that! Why do I have to get so emotional!).

On the second day, we listened to some old favorite Christmas tunes on the radio as we drove back home.

On the third day (yesterday), I reflected on the year and realized how we enjoyed some early Christmas gifts to each other, such as the our guitar and the music that my DH gave me. We also splurged and upgraded to first class seats when we flew to his family’s for Thanksgiving. (I absolutely love the “experience” gifts!)

Yes, I am writing this like the song, aren’t I? (On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…)2 years ago