Still Striving For that Elusive Halo

For the first two centuries of Christianity Christmas was not celebrated at all, then several dates came and went 20th May, 19th April, 20th April, but these dates didn’t catch on.  Then a group of Egyptian Gnostics called the Basilideans, decided that the day of Jesus’ baptism was the day when he was manifest to the world as the God incarnate, and started to celebrate that day, 6th January.  This was indeed seen by the Gnostics as the Epiphany, but they were celebrating Christ’s baptism not the arrival of the Magi.  Other Egyptians who had converted from the old Egyptian religion to Christianity were used to celebrating 6th of January as the festival of the virgin-goddess Kore, and soon adopted the 6th of January not only as the a celebration of Jesus’ Baptism, but also of his birth.The date of Christ’s birth continued to be disputed due to the tradition that all biblical characters lived for whole years, being born and dying on the same day of the year. 

It was agreed by many that Jesus had died on the Spring equinox - then believed to be the 25th of March - a date which for many was the day the world itself was created.  However the debate then moved to suggesting the date as 28th of March as that was the day God created the sun and the moon, God’s sources of light, and Christ was the Light of the world. 

The first person that we know of to suggest the 25th of December as the date of Christ’s birth was Sextus Julius Africanus who believed the moment Christ became incarnate was the moment of his conception and that would have fallen on the date of creation.  So on the 25th of March the Angel appeared to Mary and 9 months later, 25th December, Jesus would have been born.  However during his time such a date didn’t gain much popularity, but soon that was to change.

The main problem was over the 6th of January.  In the 4th century it Ephraem, a poet, suggested that the arrival of the Magi, symbolised all peoples of the world acknowledging Jesus as God’s Son, was when Christ was manifest, and hence by the middle of the 4th century, Christ’s birth, Christ’s baptism, the wedding at Cana, the feeding of the five thousand and the arrival of the Magi were all linked with the 6th of January.

The Jews alone used a lunar calendar, with dates beginning at nightfall, while the Romans used a solar calendar - with days beginning at sun rise.  In the late 4th century it is recorded that those in Rome celebrated Christmas on the day of 25th December, while Christians from Jerusalem travelled to Bethlehem and celebrated the nativity on the evening of the 6th of January. Finally a compromise was reached and by the 6th century Christmas Day was celebrated at midnight on the 24th/25th December.

It was the French in the 6th century that introduced the idea of 12 days of Christmas.  They proclaimed all 12 days of Christmas not just the 25th of December should be sacred and a festival.  Linking the 25th December - Jesus’ birth, with 6th of January - Jesus’ baptism and make sure the importance of the Manifestation to the Gentiles wasn’t lost, which they understood as being Jesus’ baptism.  The French used a solar, not lunar calendar with the first day of Christmas being 25th December the last being 5th January.

It wasn’t until the early Middle Ages the Western Church was using December 25th to celebrate Jesus’ birth, with the arrival of the Magi on the 6th of January marking the Epiphany.  While the Eastern Church never adopted December the 25th, and stuck with their original date of the 6th of January.

So if you celebrate the birth of Christ on the 25^th of December then Christmas ends today, 5th January, tomorrow is a new season, that of Epiphany.

The Church celebrates another saint.  This time it is Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist, John who walked and talked with Jesus, who fell asleep in the garden, stayed with him at the cross, witnessed the transfiguration, recognised him as the Christ, was known as ‘the beloved disciple’.  John; whose words from the first chapter of his Gospel would have been read out in Churches around the world as the Christmas Gospel.  No shepherds, no angels, or star for magi to follow, no journey to Bethlehem or manger, but without a doubt the true story of Christmas.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.  There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.  He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.  He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.  The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.  He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him.  He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him.  But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.  And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.

No not two turtle doves but a saint, St Stepehen whose feast day is today.  His date is probably one of the most well known saints day due in part to the Carol ‘Good King Wenceslas’.

After the resurrection the apostles ordained seven deacons, to help look after the widows, orphans and poor; Stephen was one of those deacons.  The Bible says that his face looked like the face of an angel and not only did he help care for those less fortunate but also preached, he became the first Martyr of the Church, the tale of it goes something like this.

He was preaching in public one day chastising those who didn’t believe in Christ for being blind, they became angry and he looked up to heaven for inspiration and saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God.  On telling those watching of the vision they refused to listen to any more and dragged St. Stephen outside the city of Jerusalem and stoned him to death.  As he was being stoned he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” Then he fell to his knees and begged God not to punish his enemies for killing him.

When you are burried beneath the discarded wrappings, mountains of dishes and searching for something to settle your stomach wondering what it was all about just remember.  Today is about none of those things, it is about a gift of love free but costly at the same time, given to us so that we can share it with all who we meet.

Christmas isn’t Christmas,
till it happens in your heart.
Somewhere deep inside you,
is where Christmas really starts.

So give your heart to people
You’ll discover when you do
That it’s Christmas, really Christmas for you!

Pew sheets are all done - right through to Epiphany, necessity rather than desire.

Presents all wrapped.

Cards all written and sent.

Christmas sermon is written.

Food is all in, well last bits and pieces being collected just now by Hubby as I put the finishing touches to the Christmas sermon.

Decorations are up, a bit early but if they don’t get done at home now, they won’t get done.

Now all that is needed is the Church to be decorated - that will happen tomorrow afternoon, the Christingles to be made - Monday morning and tidying this desk so I can see its surface again.

Then a flurry of services, Christingle, Lessons and Carols by Candlelight, Midnight Mass and a trip over to Cambuslang on Christmas morning to conduct their Christmas service. 

Tomorrow is Advent 4 not Christmas yet, Mary and Joseph making their way to Bethlehem.  Were they prepared for what was about to happen?  Did they expect Jesus to be born there far from home, or did they think they would be back in Nazareth before he was born?  Did Christ’s first arrival sneak up on them, as His return might very well sneak up on us, just when we think we have a couple more days, or a week, or maybe even longer?

Now what have I forgotten, there is always something?

Last night at the Quiz Night the Average Jo’s proved that they were above average by playing their joker well and romping home in first place, congratulations to them.

Best answer of the night came from the question - In the song ‘Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas’ what is out of sight?

And the answer - Children!

Today I traveled up to Perth, wonderful sunny drive on the way up, horrible wet drive on the way back - but I digress what I want to tell you about is my restored faith.

No it had nothing to do with the meeting I was attending although that was good, and it certainly had nothing to do with those drivers who don’t put their lights on in the rain and at dusk, they are still out there.  No this is to do with a young boy, probably aged around 6 or 7. 

I needed to get change for the parking meter so went into a shop, where this young boy was excitedly looking at all Christmas goodies, the decorations, the toys and assorted sweets dressed up in various guises, then he sat on the floor and started to make noises of utter delight shouting on his mother. 

‘Can I add this to my list for Santa, Mum?’ he asked

‘Of course you can,’ she replied as her and I exchanged a secret smile.

How did this restore my faith you may be wondering. 

Well what that young boy wanted wasn’t some expensive toy but a wooden spoon, yes you did read that right a wooden spoon. 

A wooden spoon, small and simple, nothing grand or expensive, a bit like a crib.

The spirit of Christmas is still alive and well amid the tinsel and lights, and yes I know it isn’t Advent yet, but I might have forgotten to blog about it once the Christmas season was upon us.

Yesterday was a day of great joy and festivities and not a mouse to be seen in the Crib - looks like the sonic thingy worked. The church twinkled with lights and shivers ran up and down my spine as the silence after communion was broken by an unaccompanied rendition of Silent Night.

In this household the day was rounded off by drinking ginger wine while watching Calamity Jane - a Christmas present from a boxed set of Doris Day DVD’s, I am a big fan - and the house resounded to whip crack away, secret love, a woman’s touch to name but a few as we all joined in the singing, made a change from Hark the Herald Angels!

I hope that each and every one of your Christmas’ was filled with joy, love and memories to treasure in years to come.

The tradition in this particular Rectory is that we have canapés and champagne while opening the presents and this act as our starter. Then we have the main course at roughly lunch time with the dessert coming at whatever time in the evening people wish it. This way we get the full Christmas dinner but don’t have to eat it all at one sitting! It also means I can nip out between courses to do visits without feeling as if I have split up the party.

So the canapés this year were:

Cocktail oatcakes with crème fraîche and salmon caviar - blinis with cream cheese and chestnut smoked salmon - Thai fish cakes - tempura prawns and for those who don’t like fish vol-u-vents with creamed mushrooms and some with ham and cheese.

Sitting down to dinner we had our four bird roast (a partridge stuffed in a pheasant stuffed in a goose stuffed in a turkey) along with a ham, chipolatas, roast potatoes, boiled new potatoes, roast parsnips, brussels with chestnuts, apricot and almond stuffing which I always serve as a accompaniment.

Later we had Christmas pudding with warm custard or whipped cream, minced pies, Christmas cake, biscuits with a choice of seven cheeses and of course coffee and mints.

The dish washer ended up working overtime but everyone had enough without being over faced and there is a little left for sandwiches - which for me are one of the joys of Christmas - and to give to a few people who would otherwise miss out on Christmas treats.

Last night was Christmas treat night which meant a trip to the House for an Art Lover and their Cool Christmas with Jazz Band.

The menu was:

Salad of Smoked Salmon, Avocado and Crisp Croutons served with a Lemon and Dill Dressing.

Breast of Maise-fed Chicken with creamed Savoy Cabbage and Smoked Bacon, Hazelnuts

and a Dry Sherry with Morel Jus.

Chilled chocolate Flan with Raspberries and Mascarpone Sorbet.

The Salmon was some of the best I have ever tasted, the Jus was heavenly and the Chocolate Flan must have had at least a weeks chocolate fix in it!