December 25, 2007

May you spend it with those you love, and in peace and good cheer. It is the first of the 12 days of Christmas, a whole cycle of celebration that takes us through New Year's Day and on through Twelfth Night, the night before Epiphany on January 6.

I will light candles this Christmas
Candles of joy, despite all sadness,
Candles of hope where despair keeps watch
Candles of courage where fear is ever present
Candles of peace for tempest-tossed days,
Candles of grace to ease heavy burdens.
Candles of love to inspire all my living,
Candles that will burn all the year long.
-- Howard Thurman

Tips for the day

Old Bohemian folklore: If you halve an apple on this day and the star design inside it is perfect, you'll have good health and happiness in the year ahead. One book I consult advises chopping the apple and drying it so that you can add it to incense throughout the year to encourage well-being.

In many cultures, it's considered good luck to be born on Christmas.

Old English folklore: The bees hum a carol in honor of the birth of Jesus, and it's good to wish the bees a Merry Christmas by placing a sprig of holly on the hive. Young women placed holly under their pillow to dream of their true love.

Old Spanish folklore: Treat cows kindly on Christmas, because they breathed upon the baby Jesus in the manger to keep him warm.

First footing: takes place at New Year in some areas of the world, but on Christmas day in rural England. The first person to enter a house is said to let in Christmas. Preferably someone hearty, ranting and merry. The person must bring a small gift and a sprig of evergreen.

I wish you a merry Christmas
And a happy New Year;
A pocket full of money
And a cellar full of beer,
And a great fat pig
To last you all the year.

Anything poured to drink by the first footer must be drunk to the dregs for good luck!

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