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Embrace 12-day Christmas festival

Embrace 12-day Christmas festival

Date published: 12/27/2003

Several pre-Christmas articles decried the stress of trying to do so many things before the Dec. 25 deadline. I understand the stress of deadlines and of the rush to do so many things before Christmas Day. So I have a suggestion. Why not go back to observing all 12 days of Christmas?

So what if the cookies don't get baked until the third day? So what if the gifts don't get wrapped until the fifth day, or if they don't get wrapped at all? The house doesn't have to be lit up the day after Thanksgiving, and the parties and concerts don't have to be over before the first day arrives.

If you want to go away, buy the presents when you get there, and make out the cards while you're sitting on the beach. Use the time before the season to make your preparations and don't worry about missing the deadline.

Dec. 25 was never intended to be a deadline. It was conceived as the first day of a festival that lasted until Jan. 6, Epiphany, when, according to tradition, the wise men arrived with their gifts. They missed the deadline, too.

The chances are that the children will be off from school for several of the 12 days, and probably many of their activities will also be suspended. Just relax and let the season unfold instead of trying to cram all 12 days into just one.

Warren Shaw

Locust Grove

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Date published: 12/27/2003