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Christmas Traditions–The Twelve Days of Christmas–On the sixth day…

The sixth day of Christmas is the Feast of St. Egwin of Worcester who died on this day circa 717 AD. He was the Bishop of Worcester as well as the founder of one of the greatest Benedictine monasteries of the Middle Ages in Evesham, England. He was known as a protector of orphans and widows as well as a fair judge. In addition, the Feast of the Holy Family sometimes falls on this date. Keeping in mind St. Egwin’s role as protector of orphans and widows and his enforcement of Christian principles including marriage, enjoining the celebration of his feast on this sixth day of Christmas with the Feast of the Holy Family is quite fitting.

The first use of the term “Holy Family” in reference to Jesus, Mary, and Joseph is attributed to St. Bernardine of Siena circa 1440 but did not come into common usage until the early part of the 17th century. Prior to this the Holy Family was referred to as the “earthly Trinity”. This was due to the fact that the concept of family as we know it today did not really emerge until the 17th century. Prior to this the word “family” was used interchangeably with the word “household”. Anyone living under the authority of the same head of the house was considered to be “family”. This included relatives as well as servants. In addition, it also pertained to groups including noblemen or even the staff of military officers.

St. Egwin would therefore have had a large “family” as he was in charge of a monastery. As can happen in families, discipline is not always accepted and this was the case with St. Egwin. His ways were seen as overly strict and complaints were filed against him with Rome. St. Egwin then made a journey to Rome shackled in ankle chains as penance for any wrongdoing he may have done. He was found to have done no wrong and returned to the monastery. Correcting improper behavior can often be met with opposition, but it is necessary for the growth and strength of a family.

Traditionally, the family is where one learns values. This is a great day to take time to reflect upon your family culture. Evaluate which activities support your values and which activities could be added to further enrich your family life. Take time to do something today that is special to your family. It is a great day to have a family feast or serve a dish that celebrates your family’s uniqueness. Gather together and have each member share something they enjoy about their family.

On the sixth day of Christmas my true love sent to me…

~six geese a laying...

~six geese a laying…

 

 

 

 

 

 

Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

~An Old Irish Blessing~

Marian McCoy Boveri

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Day 1:  Copyright: <a href=’http://www.123rf.com/profile_eireann‘>eireann / 123RF Stock Photo</a>

Day 2:  Copyright: <a href=’http://www.123rf.com/profile_eireann‘>eireann / 123RF Stock Photo</a>

Day 3:  Copyright: <a href=’http://www.123rf.com/profile_eireann‘>eireann / 123RF Stock Photo</a>

Day 4:  Copyright: <a href=’http://www.123rf.com/profile_eireann‘>eireann / 123RF Stock Photo</a>

Day 5:  Copyright: <a href=’http://www.123rf.com/profile_eireann‘>eireann / 123RF Stock Photo</a>

Day 6:  Copyright: <a href=’http://www.123rf.com/profile_eireann‘>eireann / 123RF Stock Photo</a>

Christmas Traditions–The Twelve Days of Christmas–On the fifth day…

The fifth day of Christmas is the Feast of St. Thomas Becket who was the Archbishop of Canterbury and martyred on this date in 1170 AD. St. Thomas Becket was at one time the chancellor to King Henry II and the two became good friends as they both shared mutual interests as well as a love of luxury. Soon after being named Archbishop, St. Thomas began to change his outlook on life by giving up his former indulgences and focusing on penance and prayer. Though the history regarding the eventual murder of St. Thomas is quite in-depth, including his exile and return; it involves his standing up against the absolute powers of the King in the matters of the Church.

We must remember that in St. Thomas’ time, people had few fundamental liberties. In addition, the Church offered certain protections to widows and orphans contained within their laws and proceedings. Therefore people regarded the Church as leading the cause of standing up against unfair, unjust, and sometimes brutal rule. The very precepts of the authority of the Church were being challenged by King Henry II.

St. Thomas’ brutal murder was met with an outcry across Europe and almost immediately the site of his death became a place of pilgrimage. In fact Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales was written about a pilgrimage to the very church where St. Thomas was martyred. It is said that St. Thomas displayed the virtue of perseverance and fought for the protection of others. He is known as the saint of courage.

Tradition holds a hallowed time between Christmas and Epiphany. An ancient tradition during this time is to go from house to house singing carols. While there are no set traditions for this fifth day of Christmas, St. Thomas was martyred during evening vespers, a time of prayer begun by singing. Gathering together with family and friends to participate in the tradition of caroling would fit well into the celebration of the fifth day of Christmas.

On the fifth day of Christmas my true love sent to me…

~five gold rings...

~five gold rings…

 

 

 

 

 

Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

~An Old Irish Blessing~

Marian McCoy Boveri

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Day 1:  Copyright: <a href=’http://www.123rf.com/profile_eireann’>eireann / 123RF Stock Photo</a>

Day 2:  Copyright: <a href=’http://www.123rf.com/profile_eireann’>eireann / 123RF Stock Photo</a>

Day 3:  Copyright: <a href=’http://www.123rf.com/profile_eireann’>eireann / 123RF Stock Photo</a>

Day 4:  Copyright: <a href=’http://www.123rf.com/profile_eireann’>eireann / 123RF Stock Photo</a>

Day 5:  Copyright: <a href=’http://www.123rf.com/profile_eireann’>eireann / 123RF Stock Photo</a>

Christmas Traditions–The Twelve Days of Christmas–On the fourth day…

The fourth day of Christmas is the Feast of the Holy Innocents also called Childermas or Innocent’s Day.  The earliest recording of the celebration of this feast is 485 AD when mentioned as following the feasts of St. Stephen and St. John.   It is held in remembrance of the children who were put to death by King Herod following his decree that all male infants in Bethlehem aged two and under be killed. This was Herod’s attempt to destroy the Christ child after the Wise Men seeking “the newborn king of the Jews” did not return to tell him where the child could be found.

The children are remembered during the Christmas season as they lost their lives because of Herod’s hatred and fear of the Christ child and they are considered martyrs.    Indeed Christmas joy is tempered today by this sadness yet the loss of their innocent lives reminds us of the preciousness of all life, especially those of children.

This day is considered a day for children.  Tradition has it as a day to bless your children for protection and intercede for the protection of all children especially those in danger.  Some traditions have the youngest child become “king” for the day and as such rules the day by making decisions about what to eat or what activities to do.  Another tradition is to serve soft food as infants would eat and to serve a food red in color which is usually a dessert in remembrance of the children whose lives were lost.

On the fourth day of Christmas my true love sent to me…

...four calling birds

~four calling birds…

 

 

 

Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

~An Old Irish Blessing~

Marian McCoy Boveri

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Day 1:  Copyright: <a href=’http://www.123rf.com/profile_eireann’>eireann / 123RF Stock Photo</a>

Day 2:  Copyright: <a href=’http://www.123rf.com/profile_eireann’>eireann / 123RF Stock Photo</a>

Day 3:  Copyright: <a href=’http://www.123rf.com/profile_eireann’>eireann / 123RF Stock Photo</a>

Day 4:  Copyright: <a href=’http://www.123rf.com/profile_eireann’>eireann / 123RF Stock Photo</a>

Christmas Traditions–The Twelve Days of Christmas–On the third day…

The third day of Christmas is the Feast of St. John in remembrance of St. John the Apostle who is described as the disciple “whom Jesus loved”. On this day the church offered a special blessing of wine in honor of St. John. The blessed wine was called the “Love of St. John” and used for special occasions throughout the year and for the sick. Legend tells of St. John drinking a glass of poisoned wine but not suffering any harm as he had blessed the wine before its drinking.

On this day it was a tradition to drink “to the love of St. John”. St. John’s wine was often served warm with mulling spices added creating a special drink for the day. The tradition called for the father of the house to lift his glass to the mother and say: “I drink you the love of St. John.” and the mother would reply: “I thank you for the love of St. John.” Then the mother would turn to the oldest child and repeat the same. Each person once toasted turns to the next in age until all had given and received the toast.

The idea behind the tradition is for the head of the household to begin the toast and pass it around to the oldest down to the youngest. Although it is certainly still within tradition to simply pass a glass to each guest while saying “I drink you the love of St. John.” as the recipient replies “I thank you for the love of St. John.”

On the third day of Christmas my true love sent to me…

...three french hens

~ three french hens…

 

Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

~An Old Irish Blessing~

Marian McCoy Boveri

——————

Day 1:  Copyright: <a href=’http://www.123rf.com/profile_eireann’>eireann / 123RF Stock Photo</a>

Day 2:  Copyright: <a href=’http://www.123rf.com/profile_eireann’>eireann / 123RF Stock Photo</a>

Day 3:  Copyright: <a href=’http://www.123rf.com/profile_eireann’>eireann / 123RF Stock Photo</a>

 

Christmas Tradition–The Twelve Days of Christmas–On the second day…

The “Twelve Days of Christmas” has become synonymous with the well-known Christmas carol of the same name first published in England in 1780 and believed to be of French origin. In actuality it is a period of time marking the celebration of Christmas from Christmas Day to Epiphany first decreed as such circa 567. It is also known as “Christmastide”.

The second day of Christmas is St. Stephen’s Day which commemorates the first Christian martyr and became a day in which to share leftover food from Christmas with the poor. In some countries, including Ireland, it is called Wren’s Day. In countries with a UK origin, it is also known as Boxing Day after the boxes that were opened on this day to share the alms with the poor. It is the day in which servants and tradesmen received their Christmas gifts from their bosses or employers which came to be known as a “Christmas box”. It was also tradition to give servants the day off in order to celebrate Christmas with their families.

On the second day of Christmas my true love sent to me…

Two Turtle Doves

~ two turtle doves and…

 

Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

~An Old Irish Blessing~

Marian McCoy Boveri

——————

Day Two: Copyright: <a href=’http://www.123rf.com/profile_eireann’>eireann / 123RF Stock Photo</a>

Day One:  Copyright: <a href=’http://www.123rf.com/profile_eireann’>eireann / 123RF Stock Photo</a>

Christmas Tradition–The Twelve Days of Christmas–On the first day…

Merry Christmas!  Did you know that the twelve days of Christmas BEGIN on Christmas Day?!  The celebration of Christmas lasts twelve days–to the “Twelfth Night”–and ends on January 6, which is Epiphany.

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me…

First Day of Christmas

~ a partridge in a pear tree!

 

Until we meet again…may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

~An Old Irish Blessing~

Marian McCoy Boveri

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Day 1:  Copyright: <a href=’http://www.123rf.com/profile_eireann’>eireann / 123RF Stock Photo</a>

Celebrate Traditions–Happy Easter!

Happy Easter!

Harvest Time: It’s Time to Move On!

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Celebrate Traditions ~ Happy St. Patrick’s Day Everyone!

 

 

An Old Irish Blessing

An Old Irish Blessing

 

Happy St. Patrick’s Day Everyone!  <–click for video

Celebrate Spring Traditions–St. Brigid’s Day and St. Brigid’s Cross

 

St. Brigid Source: Saint Brigid Church

St. Brigid
Source: Saint Brigid Church

February 1 is known as St. Brigid’s Day in Ireland. She is an Irish saint that was born in circa 451 AD and her feast day celebrates the arrival of Spring. In the old Irish calendar there were four quarter days that marked the shift in season and upon which celebrations were held.  St. Brigid’s Day, also known as Imbolc, was the quarter day that signified the ending of the long, hard winter and the arrival of spring. It falls about half-way between the winter solstice and the spring equinox.

It is believed that St. Brigid’s parents were Dubthach, a Leinster chieftain and a pagan, and Brocaa, a slave and a Christian baptized by St. Patrick.  When it was discovered that she was pregnant, Dubthach’s wife had Brigid’s mother sold to a Druid landowner.  Brigid was known for her charity and gave away anything she could to the the poor.   Her Druid owner returned Brigid to her father when she was about 10-years-old.  Her father soon tired of her giving away his belongings so he sought to sell her to the King of Leinster.  As Dubthach spoke with the King, Brigid gave away her father’s sword to a beggar so he could barter it for food.  The King, who was a Christian,  spoke with Brigid, saw her heart and declared, “Her merit before God is greater than ours”.  The King then convinced Dubthach to grant Brigid her freedom.

It is said that Brigid, who was very beautiful, prayed that God would remove her beauty so that she could live a consecrated life devoted to Christ rather than accept the many hands of marriage that were offered to her.  Once her father saw that her beauty had been taken, he agreed to allow her to enter a religious life.  Upon taking her vows, Brigid’s beauty was restored.

Brigid founded the first monastery for women religious in Ardagh.  Before this, women who consecrated themselves to God lived in private homes.  Shortly thereafter, the monastery was moved to Kildare and became known as “The Church of the Oak” as it was built above the shrine to the Celtic goddess of the same name which was under a large oak tree.  Brigid also founded a monastery for men as well and went on to set up monasteries all over Ireland.  It was during her travels that her Christ-given healing abilities and wisdom became known and she affectionately was called “The Mary of the Gaels”.

Brigid later founded a school of art and metallurgy that produced the Book of Kildare.  This work was said to have been “created by angels”.

A tradition in Ireland is to make a new St. Brigid’s cross for the home out of rushes or reeds on St. Brigid’s Day to insure protection of the home, especially from fire, throughout the coming year.  Legend has it that St. Brigid picked rushes from the floor and made a cross in an effort to convert a dying pagan chieftain.  “He asked her about what she was doing and, in explaining, she told him about christ and the meaning of the Cross.  He came to faith and was baptized.”

“Once the cross is woven, it is blessed with holy water and with the words:

May the blessing of God, Father, Son and Holy Ghost be on this Cross and on the place where it hangs and on everyone who looks at it.” (1)

Click here for instructions on how to make a St. Brigid’s Cross.

St. Brigid's Cross Source: Wikipedia

St. Brigid’s Cross
Source: Wikipedia

Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

~ An Old Irish Blessing

Marian McCoy Boveri

 

Sources:

(1)  http://fisheaters.com/customstimeafterepiphany2a.html

http://www.irishcentral.com/roots/st-brigids-day-1st-february-marks-the-start-of-celtic-spring-189211061-237561961.html

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=453

http://www.crosscrucifix.com/articlehome.htm