Twelve Days

Up until recently I thought that the Twelve Days of
Christmas were the twelve days before Christmas. Not so. These twelve days, The
Twelve Days of Christmas, are twelve days after Crīstesmæsse, the Chrsitmastide.

Twelve days came down to us from centuries past to represent
the timing of the Magi, the Wise Ones from the East who followed stars and
discovered something unimaginable—the Christ child in a stable.

And so this year, here in the 21^st century, we
are celebrating for twelve days after Christmas anticipating Epiphany or Three
Kings Day.

Here are some ideas how you might too…

• In remembrance, you might engage in the tradition of chalking the year
  and initials of the Magi above your door: CMB (Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar),
  this, and the phrase Christus mansionem benedicat,
  which translated means "may Christ bless the house."

• Make a King’s Cake

• Read or watch Shakespeare’s comedic Twelfth
  Night

• Construct and decorate a King’s crown or dress up as kings

• Paint the stars – Wash watercolor paper with a watercolor
  to simulate sky. Lightly sprinkle salt on the picture while it is still wet. The
  texture will increase as the salt absorbs the water around it but leaves the
  pigment behind. This chemical reaction leaves little light spots where the salt
  grains landed—simulated stars. Contemplate the journey of the Magi.

Here’s to keeping our hearts contemplating the curiosity of
days, hope and joy for the New Year.

– The Whole Blackbird Team!