Epiphany and the ‘take down’?
05 Jan 2020
Dear LPG,
As old as I am I suppose that Christmas brings out the child in me. I would like to start by hoping that every reader had a really good Christmas. I really hope that I influenced a few readers with my recent ‘Hang them high’ message (►►►) but now they are up they have to come down. I am talking about those Christmas decorations.
Perhaps it is the most unpleasant aspect of the post-Christmas ritual really, but it has to be done. I usually do this on the 6th of January and I know all about the rule that if you forget you need to leave them up all year, but I thought it would be a good idea to take a look at why.
Even if Christmas is all about Santa clause, Christmas pudding and presents for you, most know about the ‘birth of Jesus’ aspect of the holiday. But did you know that the three wise men were not thought to have arrived until twelve days after Jesus was born? This is the reason why we are supposed to take the decorations down on twelfth night, but the age old argument remains; should we be taking them down on the day before, or the day that the magi actually made their entrance? This, as far as I can tell, is where the whole ‘January the 5th or the 6th‘contention comes into the equation.
Ultimately, it is all about having a year of good or bad luck, but if you believe the Christian version of events you should not need luck but rely on God’s plans for you. So, although I have asked LPG to post this on January 5th as a reminder for those who tip the balance on that particular day, I hope that they will also be a memory jogger for those who do this deed on the 6th too.
So if you ‘hung ‘em high’ before Christmas, depending on your view, today or tomorrow is the day to ‘take ‘em down’ and if you did as I asked, remember the ones you put up for your neighbours.
… and I hope it is not too late to say Happy New Year.
JN, Ladywell
LPG found some information…
