Epiphany – 6 January 2010

Friends, today is Epiphany, a day which commemorates the manifestation of Christ to the gentiles in the presence of the Magi. It is the last of the 12 days of Christmas, and consequently – here in Britain – it’s time to take down our decorations: it’s said to be bad luck if you leave it any later. But that hasn’t always been the case. In the time of Elizabeth I’s reign over England, decorations would be left up until Candlemas, a Christian feast celebrating the infant Christ being presented at the Temple which falls on 2 February.

Although this long period of festivities remains in some countries (such as Germany), back home in Blighty we take ours down now – or, increasingly commonly, earlier. However, ever the traditional family, Dad’s moved the tree out to the garden, boxed up the tinsel, and put the Christmas cards in the recycling bin.

Of course, really, our Christmas Lights should be coming down tonight, but I am still yet to photograph them so they’ll stay up another night. I guess we’ll just have to risk the notorious bad luck…