Pastor's Page

 I’ve been thinking about the twelve days of Christmas recently. On Christmas Eve, an interfaith group I’m part of met online to discuss how the holidays were going, and what we might want to focus on in the new year. One of the rabbis in the group commented that she didn’t realize there were twelve days of Christmas, comparing it to the eight days of Hanukkah where she had led a small virtual prayer each of those days. As she said it, I couldn’t help but think: “Most Christians don’t know that either.” The twelve days of Christmas might be a popular Christmas carol, but how often do we share what  it really means? 

Unable to construct sets, my brother focused on his artwork this year by making stretched tapestries for the home. After a few videos for Black Friday to showcase his work, my brother Tim started December with the “12 Days of Tim-mas”, counting down to the last day of   guaranteed shipping for a piece to arrive in time for the holidays.

That is more how the twelve days of Christmas is advertised. We hear about the last twelve days of holiday shopping. But the Twelve Days of Christmas have only just begun, and will continue until Epiphany, which is January 6th.

Epiphany is when we celebrate the nativity story as told in the gospel of Matthew: that the magi followed a star, perhaps like the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn that happened just before Christmas. These men weren’t Jewish. They weren’t coming from nearby, though all   we know is that they came “from the east.” But they were paying   attention. They were watching the stars, which meant they noticed when one appeared that looked different. The magi eventually arrive in Bethlehem and find Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. They fell on their knees to honor Jesus and gave the three gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 

My mother spoke to me recently about a challenge she was given a few years ago: note something new everyday. By looking for something new, we’re forced to be in the moment and notice what’s around us, be it a neighbor’s Christmas lights or a star. We can’t see what God is doing around us unless we look. The wise men noticed the star because they were paying attention. May we see as well.

Blessings and Peace, 

        ~Pastor Annie

Pastor Annie McMillan