Holiday Postlude

It's now the 5th Day of Christmas - yes, that's the 5 Golden Rings day in the Christmas song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas." It's not just a song, but one of our family traditions.

In our family, December 25 is the first day of Christmas, not the end of the season. We count down to January 6th, the Epiphany - the day the wise men found the baby Jesus and gave him gifts. This is also called, "Little Christmas."

We also do not put up Christmas decorations until December 22 (or there about depending on when it works out, but never before December 20th!)

On January 6th, we celebrate "Little Christmas" with a grand dinner out and exchanging small gifts to symbolize the gold, Frankincense and myrrh brought by the wise men for Jesus. We also burn Frankincense and myrrh and inscribe the sign of the magi over our front door threshold. This sign stays there all year to remind us to also seek the Messiah daily.

Holiday Prelude

Christmas is nearly here and we are once again painting.

It is now becoming our annual practice to spruce up the old abode in anticipation of the approaching yuletide celebration. But, alas the holiday seems to be coming faster than the project is nearing completion - once again. We went through this last year too.

I'm not complaining! Things are looking great.

I just wonder what compels otherwise normal adults to put ourselves through this exercise.

So, in a mere 12 days it will be Christmas - today we have the place covered in drop clothes, paint cans and painting paraphernalia fill the open spaces of my entry way and living room.

Let the transformation continue!