Twelve drummers drumming

It’s the twelfth day of Christmas as I write. The decorations are all carefully taken down and packed away until next Christmas, so home feels rather empty. On the road lorries are collecting discarded Christmas trees for recycling. It’s a season of change.

Anyway, what about those drummers? Were they just an extravagant Christmas present, or did they contain a deeper meaning, such as the twelve apostles, or even the twelve articles of faith in the creed? Either way, it means the season goes out with a bang!

But does that mean the Christmas season is over? During the twelve days following the birth at Bethlehem, we have remembered the first martyr, Stephen (26 th ), John the beloved apostle (27 th ), the slaughter of the Holy Innocents (28 th ), and the naming and circumcision of Christ (1 st ). Between them, they encompass the gamut of emotions – hope, horror, piety and pain.

Sadly, these harsh realities of first century life seem to be re-emerging in our world today. But for those who celebrate the greater Christmas, it’s not over yet! The season lasts for the full 40 days up to Candlemas. In our Bible readings this Epiphany season, we shall encounter Christ’s glory in various manifestations or ‘epiphanies’. But are we seeking for ourselves those glimpses of Christ, of glory, of beauty that draw us back to God? We only need eyes to see.

The New Year also introduces a season of change. It’s time to make plans for the year ahead, as we consider the future. But are we submitting our plans to God, or relying on our resolution?

In the Book of Ecclesiastes, the Preacher reminds us:

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

a time to be born, and a time to die;

a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;

a time to kill, and a time to heal;

a time to break down, and a time to build up;

a time to weep, and a time to laugh;

a time to mourn, and a time to dance.

All times are God’s; every moment is sacred, every season a gift from above.

May those drummers drum up the changes this season!