Chapter II: Twelvetide - The First Day of Christmas

Today is the beginning of Christmastide and the First Day of the Twelve Days of Christmas (also known as Twelvetide or, in some traditions, Nativitytide). Christmastide will include Epiphanytide after the end of Twelvetide for a full 40-day celebration (so don't start putting away your Christmas tree and holiday decorations just yet!) and ends on 2 February.

To celebrate each of the Twelve Days, I've decided to reflect on some of my favourite Christmas carols. I have decided all twelve, so if you'd like to make a suggestion on what your favourite carol is, please let me know!

Chapter I: Advent - Christmas Eve

 

Tonight is the night of Christ's birth. Traditionally, it has been observed with a vigil, at least through midnight. It is a hopeful, celebratory time, comparable to the moments (or hours) of a waiting family while a new mommy is in labour. Indeed, that is an excellent comparison, for that is exactly what we commemorate on this eve.

Chapter I: Advent - The O Antiphones: King of Nations

The Sixth of the Great O Antiphons

Chapter I: Advent - Ember Day III: St. John the Baptizer's Preparation

[...T]he word of God came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness. He came into all the region around the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for remission of sins. As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness,
      ‘Make ready the way of the Lord.
Make his paths straight.
     Every valley will be filled.
Every mountain and hill will be brought low.
      The crooked will become straight,
      and the rough ways smooth.
All flesh will see God’s salvation.’”
-Luke 3:2b-6

Chapter I: Advent - Ember Day II: The Visitation

Today marks the second of the Winter Ember Days.

Praise Yahweh, Jerusalem!
    Praise your God, Zion!
He gives snow like wool,
    and scatters frost like ashes.
He hurls down his hail like pebbles.
    Who can stand before his cold?
           -Psalm 147:12 & 16-17

Chapter I: Advent – The Candle of Preparation (Peace)

Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

- Collect for the Second Week of Advent from the Book of Common Prayer

In our world so filled with political activism, court cases, and psychotherapy all designed to bring 'peace' and 'justice' to the world, we often lose sight of what Peace has traditionally meant to the Christian. For this reason, I have noted that the primary theme for this week's candle is Preparation with Peace in parentheses.