It seems like everyone has moved on and I’m still
over here Christmasing! There are still ridiculous Hallmark Christmas movies to
be watched… thanks to my DVR; and, there are still celebrations to be had!
Today is Epiphany or Twelfth Night which is the 12th
day after Christmas! (See! It’s still Christmas :p ) Epiphany was the traditional Christmas gift-giving day since
this was the day that the Baby Jesus received his gifts from the Magi… or the three
kings or wise men. Because Epiphany falls on a Wednesday, the celebration is
actually moved to the Sunday before in most parishes.
One way to mark (pun intended) or to celebrate Epiphany
is a blessing of the home. A priest will bless chalk and scrawl markings over
the door of the church which carries forth an ancient custom practiced in many
homes around the world. For one’s own home, use chalk to write 20 + C + M + B +
16. The letters C, M, B are the initials of the names of the three magi:
Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. The letters also abbreviate the Latin words Christus
mansionem benedicat, “May Christ bless the house.” The “+” signs actually
represent the cross, not a plus sign ;) In Poland, they inscribe K+M+B+ and the
year since in Polish the Kings’ names are Kacper, Melchior and Baltazar. According to tradition, this ritual is to
provide protection against illness and misfortune for those within. The
markings remain above the doors all year.
In Colonial Virginia, Epiphany was an occasion of
great merriment, and often the time for balls. Today we talk about *June
brides* but traditionally Twelfth Night was the time for weddings.
Whether or not there was a wedding planned, a great cake
was prepared for Twelfth Night. Depending on the region or country, the cake included
layers of fruitcake. The cake also included a bean with the notion that whoever
found the bean in his or her slice would rule the feast. More modern traditions
include parties where a King Cake is served. I always have this fear that I’m
going to swallow that plastic baby! I haven’t so far…that I know of :-/
This year there won’t be any grand balls. Like most
folks, I’ll be at work… but I did pick up another *on sale* Harry and David’s
fruitcake confection. Yum!
Merry Christmas y’all :D
My parents and my parents in law was wedded at epiphany. Our generation though often choose to wed around midsummer. Actually, looking out on a beautiful frosty and glittering landscape right now thinks that a wedding at this time of year seems very appealing :-).
ReplyDeleteAs long as it's an indoor wedding or there is an amazing bonfire :D
DeleteI have one loaf of fruitcake left ... I'll have a piece this evening in celebration of Twelfth Night! Maybe next year I'll add a bean to the loaves for fun. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if I would notice a bean... I might just eat it and think it's a piece of hard fruit :p
DeleteI like the idea of all the traditions, even if I don't participate.
ReplyDeleteI love traditions!!! even if they shouldn't be my own. I want to celebrate everything *sometimes*.
DeleteI'm making fruit cake scones tonight ... a night late. Does that count?
ReplyDeleteIt absolutely does count! As my dad says, it isn't like Jesus was born on the 25th of December. To be safe, I might need to eat fruitcake everyday just to make sure that I eat a piece on Epiphany :p
DeleteWhat lovely traditions. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete