Twelfth Night: What it means and when to take decorations down - Gwendolyn Needham
Opinion by
Northern Advocate
3 mins to read
Gwendolyn Needham writes, speaks, and teaches healthy life-wisdom to empower all towards their own good lives, connecting younger to older – It takes a whole village to raise a child. She is a proud Northlander, living in Whangārei.
Subscribe to listen
Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Most people will have taken their decorations down by now. Photo / 123rf
Most people will have taken their decorations down by now. Photo / 123rf
Did you know January 6 is called Twelfth Night?
Why? It’s because it’s been 12 nights since Christmas Day, so-called because Jesus (the Christ) was born that day, of poor parents in a far country, Israel, over 2000 years ago. He was born to change the world, for thebetter. Fancy that!
Many people have forgotten these Christmas facts, or were never taught.
Shakespeare wrote a famous play too – Twelfth Night.
And traditionally, it’s the date to take your Christmas decorations and tree down ... not to mention the much-hyped jolly jingle-song – “The Twelve Days of Christmas, my true love gave to me ... ” written in 1780.
Or else, Cook was reminded of The Poor Knight’s Christmas Pudding for impoverished folk ... inexpensive fried bread and eggs, spread with plum jam....with pōhutukawa in full bloom in January. Or the beautiful red Poor Knights’ Lily.
January 6 is the Epiphany – the showing of the baby Jesus to the Three Wise Men from the east, following the star on their camels. They arrived at Bethlehem that day.
The over-busyness of our NZ Christmas Day is now past.
Hopefully, it’s more rest and relax time now and to ponder over the whys and wherefores of our lives, and what actually gives joy.
Whangārei provided rich cultural events in December.
My love of music was fed by singing in Whangārei Choral’s offerings – a major concert with Mozart’s Mass plus musical theatre played to a packed Old Library; carols at the Golden Church’s stunning Christmas Tree Festival; repeat carols at Heritage Park outdoor picnic evening.
An all-comers’ choir of 80 plus orchestra and top soloists presented carols at the Regent’s Anglican Christ Church. Roger McLean conducting, there was much joy, goodwill, and standing room only.
Gwendolyn Needham
My gift to seven family children was an outing to Forum North – O Time for Joy, an original musical.
This large all-age cast was totally the work of Renew Church members, directed by Jasher Drake.
The professionalism, skills, enthusiasm, story, and lyrics communicated “truth, hope, and grace in fresh ways that are both meaningful and memorable”. This church, and Whangārei generally, sure has got what it takes.
I have just re-read a special simple book, The Other Wise Man by Henry van Dyke, published in 1923.
I read this every year, after Christmas.
It takes only one hour, and tells of handsome Artaban, a Persian Zoroastrian priest, rich in possessions, but still seeking inner fulfilment.
He plans to meet up with the other Three Wise Men, bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to follow the star to find the baby prophesied to be born to change the world. Artaban’s gifts – a priceless sapphire, ruby, and pearl.
He misses meeting his three friends, because he stops to help desperate people on the way, giving them his three jewels. But he never stops searching for Jesus, the Messiah. Thirty-three years later in Jerusalem, he is hit by an earthquake. While dying, he hears the gentle voice of God.
“Well done, thou good and faithful servant, you have served me best by your loving care for others”.
