Christmas
isn’t over. Have you heard about the twelve days of Christmas? We celebrate
Christmas as a season, from December 25 to January 6, the feast of the
Epiphany. In ancient times, and still in Orthodox and many other churches,
Epiphany is the important holiday. On that day we celebrate the revelation or
epiphany of Jesus to the whole world. Around here, many Spanish cultures
celebrate three kings day.
We
might remember the Christmas carol about the twelve days of Christmas. There
are an awful lot of presents! (I think it’s only one different present each
day.) There are many speculative theories about the carol. Is it a mnemonic
device to instruct hidden Roman Catholics? The several points sound acceptably
Anglican to me. (two testaments – seven sacraments – twelve apostles) I like
the theory that it’s a kind of party game song. Each person adds a verse and
the next person has to repeat every verse. Even more fun with holiday punch!
The
world around us celebrates a great commercial holiday with visions of
gift-giving and purchased togetherness. The joy and generosity is great fun. We
might regret all the bills that come due in January, but by then, it’s too cold
to do anything but sit inside and dream of spring.
The
stores are all counting up their profits while we still have some celebrating
to do. We remember the greatest gift. God has given us his son, Jesus. Through
Jesus we are forgiven and set free to live new lives. The story of the simple
baby sleeping in the manger is also a story about the lengths that God will go
to love us. God gives us the most generous gift. Jesus sets aside every power
and privilege to save us and love us. How can we respond?
There
is nothing we can give back to God to make up for this unprecedented
generosity. There is only one thing that God asks of us – that we accept the
gift offered to us.
One
way to do that is to respond in faith and believe that God loves us. The other
way (or the next way) is to respond in kind. Since we have received generously
without conditions, we ought to live lives of generosity – giving to others
freely as well. Maybe twelve days of gifts isn’t so crazy after all! If we seek
to emulate the carol, perhaps we could update it with more meaningful gifts.
Without
trying to think of twelve forms of generosity, with alliteration, what could we
do? We could show hospitality and welcome – especially to the stranger. We can
look people in the eye and say, “hello” and “thank you.” We can think about
those in need – this week and throughout the year. We can set aside our busy
schedules and pay attention to the blessings of God in unexpected places.
God
breaks into our world and offers grace and peace. Before we can share in it, we
have to notice it. We have to notice our near neighbor who may be in need of
good news. We can be that good news – just be doing what we already know how to
do. If there is any message in the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem it is this. God
has come near – into our day-to-day lives. God isn’t embarrassed by our
humanity. God wants to transform us.
A
list of pre-Victorian love gifts is a silly way to remember the season. We can
be silly in our joy and lyrical in our acts of generosity. God transforms all
of it.
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