Epiphany and Delayed Gratification

The Twelve Days of Christmas actually refer to the twelve days following Christmas (rather than the twelve days leading up to Christmas), which conclude on January 6^th.  This year we are very lucky.  We get to celebrate Epiphany on the traditional date of Epiphany!

Christmas is not a “one and done” event.  It is not over as soon as the clock ticks over to December 26^th.  In some traditions, the Christmas season ends on Epiphany.  In other traditions, it extends all the way to the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.  We can and should extend our celebration.  We spent four weeks of Advent preparing for the Lord to come.  Now that He is here, He deserves our happiness and rejoicing at His coming.

Some cultures emphasize Epiphany, the day that the magi arrived to venerate the Christ child, more than they do Christmas itself.  Imagine how much greater the celebration might be if we allowed ourselves to be joyful for the twelve days following Christmas, but we saved the real party for Epiphany.