The First Day of Christmas

 

I'm copying and pasting this interesting post from John Forti:

The Tradition of celebrating the Twelve Days of Christmas comes from a slower paced, and sometimes simpler time. A time where distant trips were long considered, local celebrations were spontaneous, and gifts were frequently hand crafted. They ushered in season of sharing from the abundance of home made goodies and enjoying small post holiday visits with friends and family (that are well adapted to pandemic times). The unexpected starry night warm enough to gather around a bonfire to sing carols, nosh, drink and revel with friends in a snowy landscape - The last minute, lunch on a gray day or pots of tea on a sunny afternoon.

Today helps to kick off the 12 Days of Christmas with Boxing Day and the Feast of Saint Stephen, when Medieval serfs went surfing for gifts, tokens and leftovers from extravagant holiday feasts. The first day of Christmas is also when a partridge in a pear tree symbolizes pure love and wishes for fruitfulness and abundance.

Visits may mean gift drops and hugs shared with friends and neighbors. Homemade cookies, port, art, bath-salts, beeswax candles, and firewood arrive to offer flavor, light, comfort and ease, and the knowledge that we are remembered or loved (or that we remember and love).

I while away quiet hours making botanical cards, straining cordials, bottling liqueurs, wrapping up herbal salves and soaps while holding thought and intention for each person who will receive them.

Between sipping on herbal tea and the hot-mulled wine I have kept slow simmering since Christmas, I make pomanders, stuff dates, prepare chestnuts to roast at the fire, and unhurriedly prepare the next meal.

2022 is a fine year to usher out with the ashes from last years fires. I am feeling the need, deep in my bones, to purge out the old.

Gardeners know to share the gift of abundance when seeds yield generously. So this year, I am passing along treasures I can part with to dear friends that I think would enjoy them; bagging and boxing for thrift, gift, compost and bonfire - all that I can part with in order to enter this new year, and this new phase unencumbered.

1000 points of light were said to be necessary to take care of our citizens, but pandemic has shown how many of our lights are out. There is too much darkness when millions of families rely on local food shelters. Our light is needed, almost as much as our help in rebuilding systems that will ensure that the ‘least among us’ are cared for as they tend to us from the front lines. But until then, I try to find common ground and share 'seeds' - trays of holiday meals, little extravagances, clothes, salves and aspirations for a brighter New Year.

Tradition would have us proceed with these little visits, meaningful exchanges, times of joy, and glimmers of hope throughout these 12 days of Christmas. Right through Twelfth Night revelry, and Epiphany on the 6th of January when we give our decorations back over to nature.

So, here’s to old traditions made new - as we ring out the old year, and plant seeds for well-being in the new!

The Heirloom Gardener - John Forti