12 Days of Christmas

Epiphany: Wise men, Baptism, Wine

The word Epiphany means the manifestation of divine power.

Epiphany celebrates the day the Wise men arrive to worship Jesus

Matthew 2:9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.

The Baptism of the Lord

Luke 3;21 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,

22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

 The turning water into wine

John 2:2 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:

And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.

And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.

Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.

His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.

Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.

And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.

When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,

10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.

11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

12 Days of Christmas · Christmas · Christmas Traditions

On the First Day of Christmas

Tis the first day of Christmas.  We sing the song 12 days of Christmas and assume it has to do with some tradition of counting the days prior to December 25th, but we are wrong.  Early traditions around the birth of Christ had the days before the birth of Jesus as fast days.  The days from the birth of Christ until the eve prior to the Epiphany were the 12 days of Christmas.  And they were days of celebration.

The first day of Christmas the Lover of my soul gave me a savior in a manger.

Join me in a journaling adventure over the next 12 days as we look at this old Christmas tradition.  In many ways, the celebration of the 12 days of Christmas fits our modern society better.  The days prior to Christmas day are chaotic with the hustle and bustle of shopping, parties and the secular traditions that have grown around the holy day.  After Christmas, we have more down time to contemplate the miracles of God stepping into the world.

Grab a note pad or some paper in a binder. Prepare to write your thoughts over the next couple of weeks as we study the 12 Days of Christmas.

A New Dial –12 Days of Christmas Song from the 1500’s or early 1600’s

1st Day Verse

 In those twelve days let us be glad 😐
For God of His power hath all things made.

What are they that are but one?
What are they that are but one?

We have one God alone
In heaven above sits on His throne:

Journal Exercise

Describe your Christmas day.

 

Is God on His throne in your life?

 

Do you put God before everything and everyone else in you life?