Do you celebrate Twelfth Night? Growing up, I understood the meaning of the Epiphany in the church, but it wasn’t until I immersed myself in researching England for my Southold Chronicles novels, that I understood the twelve days of Christmas. Silly me, thinking it had to do with pear trees and a partridge.
But of course, the Epiphany is celebrated in the Western Church as the day three kings arrived to see the baby Jesus. Mary’s courage when told by an angel that she would give birth to the Son of the God Most High, is amazing. Her faith was strong. And yet, the wonder of his birth and the impact her son would have on the world might not have been fully realized by Mary until three kings – the wise men – came from afar to worship her baby. Bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, it took twelve days to follow the star into Bethlehem and the stable. Luke 2:19 tells us Mary remembered and thought deeply about these things.
Which brings me back to the early Christmas celebrations in Merry Old England. Christmas Day would have been a day for church services, followed by the lighting of a Yule log and perhaps singing Christmas carols. The following days were mostly small celebrations when trinkets and handmade gifts exchanged. With Twelfth Night came a 
day of sweet and savory feasts: mince pies, plum puddings, and all manner of cakes. The wassail and ale would flow, and special gifts exchanged.
More recently, for me, I keep our modern day celebrations of Christmas Day with family and friends. Lately, I’ve added Twelfth Night as a day to remember how far and wide the news of Jesus’s birth spread. And as I take down the Christmas lights and ornaments, I reflect on the fact that over 2,000 years later, we still seek Him.
May your New Year be rich in joy, filled with peace, love, and unity.
XOXO ~ Rebecca
Writing Love, Legends, and Lore
The Southold Chronicles, Baker Publishing Group
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be always acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14