Although we are familiar with the carol ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’, and may remove our trees and decorations by Twelfth Night to avoid bad luck, the church’s Christmas season lasts from the birth of Jesus (Christmas Day) through Epiphany (6 January), which celebrates the manifestation of Jesus to the Gentiles (non-Jews) represented by the Magi, and ends with Candlemas (2 February), which commemorates the presentation of Christ in the temple. As the Luke’s Gospel records (ch. 2, vv. 22-23 & 28-32, NSRV):
“When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him [Jesus] up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord’).”
“Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, ‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”
It is therefore appropriate to retain the tree until 2 February, albeit with differences. Can you spot them? If the quality of the printing allows, you may be able to see that the coloured decorations and coloured lights visible in the left-hand photo are not present in the right-hand one, leaving only silver and white baubles and lights.
The tree will be taken down after Candlemas and reappear in a different form in the not-too-distant future. Watch this space!
Jennifer Maclean