Magi and Christmas Eve

Western Christians celebrate today as "Three Kings" day, Epiphany, or Feast of the Magi.

For our family, it is also the same, as well as the eve before our family's Christmas celebration.

We celebrate both ends of the Christmas season - as well as the seasons before and after it.

Our advent begins on November 15. It is a six-week preparation to welcome our Savior into our mdist.

We celebrate the Christ Child's birth on December 25.

We honor the Magi on January 6/January 7.

And we continue the Christmas season until Febuary 2, the feast day of the Presentation in the Temple, when we finally take down the Christmas tree, for the second time this year.

Side story: our orginal tree, which Rebekah bought on sale with lights attached in 2019, was the first tree we had set up.

One night, while unplugging the tree lights before bed, I couldn't tell in the dim light which cord went to the tree and which one went to the floor lamp in the corner as they had become tangled. 

So, I gently separate the cords - and sparks flew up and out like a Fourth of July sparkler.

Yes, one of my cats had chewed through the lights' thin wires. Here, the kids had thought a couple bulbs simply needed replacing. No, the lights were out because they were shorted out.

So down came the tree.

And up went a more beautiful, more lavish tree, an expense of money and time we hadn't expected.

Of course, as I'm telling this tale, much of the world has, by now, forgotten about Christmas.

So perhaps that makes us a bit out of step.

But, heck, I'm a bit out of step anyway.

And maybe it's my own weakness that needs reminders of God's great gift hanging around a bit longer. Maybe if I had the wisdom of the Magi, I would need less reminders. Maybe, someday, I'll have grown in grace and won't need reminders at all.

Yet, whatever the reason, tonight I will be prepping tomorrow's food with my family and cleaning house, so we can enjoy the day together tomorrow (which is also Rebekah's birthday) without having to cook and clean, too.

We will be a smaller group that in years past, due to COVID and other family members' obligations.

So we must take the celebration to them and deliver their packages and bags.

The main point is not how or when we and you and they celebrate. The point is that we do (and should) celebrate.

Whatever Christmas (or a similar holiday) means to you, if it has meaning, then do celebrate it with as much heart as you can muster.

For many of us are going through challenges, especially these last two years, and celebrations often feel thin and forced. We must revel in celebrations wherever we can find and experience them. For celebrations bring much-needed hope and joy into ouir lives.

But for you who have read to this line, I hope this post makes you smile, if even for a moment, at a remembrance of any Christmas you've enjoyed and bring to mind the loved ones with whom you've shared it.

Whatever values Christmas holds for you, I hope this post encourages you to tuck them into your heart, to live and bear fruit, the whole year long.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!