An Epiphany for You. December 12th 2024

 If there is such a thing as the twelve days of Christmas, would they start now?  Twelve days from Christmas?  Or do they start at Christmas and run through to the Epiphany?  Perhaps Bob and Doug MacKenzie counted up the twelve days of Christmas best.  Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Eve, New Years Day,   The two weekends before and between,  and the three mystery days of Christmas.  (Add em up,  these guys were more than just another pretty face with a toque on top.)  

Now I am not just another pretty face either.  In fact, I am not a pretty face at all.   But I do know a little bit about the Epiphany and I am going to freelance the definition without looking it up.  In Layman's terms (which means in words I can spell) the Epiphany was when the wisemen actually found Jesus.   When they determined that Jesus was actually the Messiah.   Then again,  I sat through a few years of midnight masses thinking this is what the Epiphany was and I didn't fact check then either.   

Of course this was most confusing when someone told me they had an Epiphany.   I was pretty sure that wasn't happening again any time soon.  Words with more than one meaning, I tell you what!

In any event,  for someone like me, even in my golden years, twelve days are just not enough when it comes to Christmas.  Christmas starts in late November and continues on until January 2nd.  And it would go on much much longer if I simply didn't tucker out.   Many people don't care much for the season and I get it.  There are times that the imperfections in life are so glaring.  The parties, the treats, the food, the excess of all things sweet and sticky, liquid and spiked, stressful and expensive!  The season can take its toll. 

But you do see kindness and generosities that are so completely wonderful.  You do get these feelings, a contentment, a thankfulness that is beyond explanation.  Christmas is the perfect time for those with Nostalgiasouras.  You get to watch Scrooge and Home Alone and Christmas Vacation and Nativity and so many other great Christmas Classics.  You get to listen to beautiful songs that get played to death every single year.  Released and re-released every single year.   You get to aaaahhhhhh and oooohhhhh over decorations that you pull out year after year after year.  Each year being a little more chipped and faded and less sticky from way back when you still had a real Christmas tree.

While Christmas is a christian holiday, it is shared by many people who don't attend Christian institutions or worship other parts of the year.  Christmas is harvest time for retailers and merchants of many different faiths and religions take advantage of Christmas season.  That's why super stars like Barbara Streisand and Neil Diamond release Christmas albums. There is money to be made in the spirit of Christmas.  

I live in the Great White North.   I never have to dream about a White Christmas.  In my many years of Christmas, I have always spent them here in my home and native land,  the bulk of Christmas celebrations being shrouded in snow.  You could count our non snowy Christmas's on one hand.  Even those usually involved sub freezing temps.   We golfed one Christmas day in Swift Current.  The club had made temporary greens.   Tell you what:  You get a lot of distance on frozen ground.  And the water hazards?  I watch a ball roll down the river till it was out of sight.  We have also done more than a few -40 seasons but Christmas is Christmas and in this part of my home and native land we all have the proper clothing to handle such inconveniences.    

I guess you could say Christmas is a season I so want to share.  I want to share the season with those who don't.  I want to feel that feeling that makes me happy.  I want to remember how it was when my mom and dad threw Christmas.  When my kids thought Christmas Eve was the longest month of the year.  When people dressed up for Christmas parties.  When malls were full, and there were Christmas concerts in Church's and schools.  It is simply the most wonderful time of the year.  Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Season's Greetings, Happy Holidays.   I hope a little bit of the magic has rubbed off on you all so you can see past the stresses and the commercialism.  And if you need a something to stimulate those feelings?  Go out today and do something.   Something kind and or generous.  Something for someone you don't know anything about.  And do it anonymously.  You will never give yourself a better gift.   

NOLLAIG SHONA DUIT!!!