18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,
Depending upon where you live, this is either the first day of shopping sales and returning presents, or, it is the beginning of a new series of celebration days. Of course, to my English friends today is "Boxing Day" - a day that has it's traditions in Victorian England when the servants and their families received gifts (presumably in the boxes) because they would have had to serve their master's families on Christmas day.
For me, today is the first day of the 12 days of Christmas. Made famous by the Christmas song of the same name, it has a tradition that goes back approximately 500 years. Since most of us are not part of liturgical churches little of this is known, or adhered to.
These 12 days occur between Christmas and January 6th - which is Epiphany. Epiphany is from the Greek word that means "appearance". Epiphany is marked on the calendar as the date the Magi came, seeking the baby born who was 'King of the Jews'. In some traditions - notably Eastern Orthodoxy - because the Wise Men came bearing gifts, January 6 is considered to be Christmas day!
Interestingly the song named after the "12 days of Christmas" is not just a cute song (or in some people's consideration, nonsense). This song has its roots in the 17th century when some parts of the church were under assault. The song is considered to be a device for teaching truths - a sort of catechism done by song. The "true love" is God, and "Me" is the believer.
So...
On the 1st day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Why a Partridge in a pear tree? The Partridge is a bird that will feign injury to protect its young and in some cases sacrifice its own life for the sake of its young.
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