Tuesday, December 24, 2019

The Melchizedek Chronicles - When are the 12 days of Christmas, what does each day of Twelvetide mean?









TWELFTH NIGHT 
When are the 12 days of Christmas, what does each day of Twelvetide mean and when does it start?


The 12 days of Christmas, also known as Twelvetide, is a Christian festival that celebrates the Nativity of Jesus Christ

14 Nov 2018, 14:45
Updated: 14 Nov 2018, 16:10


WE all know the famous 12 days of Christmas song, even if we regularly mix up what happens on the tenth and fourth days.
But when are the actual 12 days of Christmas? Here's when they start and end, and the meaning behind them.
 Twelvetide starts on Christmas Day on December 25 and finishes on January 5.

When are the 12 days of Christmas and when does it start and end?

The 12 days of Christmas, also known as Twelvetide, is a Christian celebration of the Nativity of Jesus Christ.
Twelvetide officially starts on Christmas Day on December 25 and finishes on January 5, inclusively.
During these twelve days, there are both religious and secular celebrations.
It is also known by some as Christmastide.
The first day celebrates the birth of Jesus.

What does each day of Twelvetide mean?


Each day of Twelvetide has a different meaning:
·       The first day of Twelvetide, is Christmas Day and is about celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
·       The second day of Christmas is Boxing Day and is also known as St Stephen’s Day in countries outside of the UK – it is the day of the Christian martyr St Stephen.
·       The third day of Christmas celebrates St John the Apostle, who wrote the Book of Revelation.
·       The fourth day of Christmas is the Feast Of The Holy Innocents - the day when people remember all of the baby boys who were killed by King Herod in his search to kill the Baby Jesus.
·       The fifth day of Christmas is remembering St Thomas Becket - he was the Archbishop of Canterbury in the 12th Century and was killed on December 29, 1170, for challenging the King’s authority over the church.
·       The sixth day of Christmas remembers St Egwin of Worcester, who died on December 30, 717, he was known as the protector of orphans and the widowed.
·       The seventh day of Christmas (New Year’s Eve) celebrates Pope Sylvester I. In some eastern European countries New Year’s Eve is still known as Silvester.
·       The eighth day of Christmas (New Year’s Day) celebrates Mary the Mother of Jesus.
·       The ninth day of Christmas honours St Basil the Great and St Gregory Nazianzen - two important fourth century Christians.
·       The tenth day of Christmas is the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus – this marks the day Jesus was named in the Jewish Temple.
·       The eleventh day of Christmas celebrates the Feast of Saint Simeon Stylites who spent 37 years living on a small platform on top of a pillar in Aleppo.
·       The twelfth day of Christmas, January 5, is also known as Epiphany Eve – it’s the day before January 6 which is known as the Epiphany.

The Melchizedek Chronicles - The Twelve Days of Christmas - December 25 - January 6 - The Real Celebration of Christmas honoring the Creator, Creation and Fulfillment of Ancient Prophecy!

Back to the Past...

Then there is the traditional Christian celebration of Christmas, which is exactly the opposite of our modern mass merchandising. The season of Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, and for nearly a month Christians await the coming of Christ in a spirit of expectation, singing hymns of longing. Then, on December 25, Christmas Day itself ushers in 12 days of celebration, ending only on January 6 with the feast of the Epiphany.





 













There are some serious ceremonies around the world.

So the first three of twelve days are dedicated to saints and feasts are held in their honor.   



The three traditional feasts (dating back to the late fifth century) that follow Christmas reflect different ways in which the mystery of the Incarnation works itself out in the body of Christ. 

December 26 is the feast of St. Stephen—a traditional day for giving leftovers to the poor (as described in the carol "Good King Wenceslas"). As one of the first deacons, Stephen was the forerunner of all those who show forth the love of Christ by their generosity to the needy. But more than this, he was the first martyr of the New Covenant, witnessing to Christ by the ultimate gift of his own life. 

St. John the Evangelist, commemorated on December 27, is traditionally the only one of the twelve disciples who did not die a martyr. Rather, John witnessed to the Incarnation through his words, turning Greek philosophy on its head with his affirmation, "The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us" (John 1:14, KJV).

On December 28, we celebrate the feast of the Holy Innocents, the children murdered by Herod. These were not martyrs like Stephen, who died heroically in a vision of the glorified Christ. They were not inspired like John to speak the Word of life and understand the mysteries of God. They died unjustly before they had a chance to know or to will—but they died for Christ nonetheless. In them we see the long agony of those who suffer and die through human injustice, never knowing that they have been redeemed.
In the Middle Ages, these three feasts were each dedicated to a different part of the clergy. Stephen, fittingly, was the patron of deacons. The feast of John the Evangelist was dedicated to the priests, and the feast of the Holy Innocents was dedicated to young men training for the clergy and serving the altar. The sub-deacons (one of the "minor orders" that developed in the early church) objected that they had no feast of their own. So, it became their custom to celebrate the "Feast of Fools" around January 1, often in conjunction with the feast of Christ's circumcision on that day (which was also one of the earliest feasts of the Virgin Mary, and is today celebrated as such by Roman Catholics).

Boxing Day UK Style
By the way, in the UK the Feast of St. Stephen (December 26) is called Boxing Day, a rather odd sounding name for a sacred holiday that incorporates rather odd means of celebrating the feast of St. Stephen.  I would explain it all to you but I suspect most of you could care less about it, and if you are interested, why Goggle is certain to have the information just a fingertip away, just by using a send key, and triggering the swarming, penetrating electromagnetic waves feeding off your mind.
Here is how they celebrate the Feast of St. Stephen, now called Boxing Day, in the former British Commonwealth.
[You cannot be serious]

















Well leave it to the Brits to redefine sacred while demonstrating creative ways to subvert the true meaning of the birth of the Savior, the first step in the fulfillment of the ancient prophecies of the coming Messiah.  Father Creator sends us His only begotten Son, Jesus, to fulfill the prophecy of the Bible, and we, well, we go for a swim in goofy outfits.    
Not what I expected to find on the Road to Kingdom Come.
Finally, on Epiphany (January 6), the celebration of Christmas comes to an end. "Twelfth Night" (as all lovers of Shakespeare know) is the ultimate celebration of Christmas madness (Shakespeare's play features one of his many "wise fools" who understand the real meaning of life better than those who think they are sane). 
Epiphany commemorates the beginning of the proclamation of the gospel—Christ's manifestation to the nations, as shown in three different events: the visit of the Magi, the baptism of Jesus, and the turning of water into wine. In the Western tradition, the Magi predominate. But in the Eastern churches, Jesus' baptism tends to still be the primary theme.
How are you honoring the traditions of religion over the magic of the Magi?  Before the end of the Twelve Days I will show you how magic aided in the role of Jesus and was essential to completing his mission.  I thank you for enduring with me and assure you your pathway to seeking truth will be greatly aided when you call on the Holy Spirit to enlighten you, to the path of Jesus, to the perfect love of the Father. 

The Melchizedek Chronicles - Twelve Days of Christmas - What do they mean in terms of Biblical symbolism?

The Twelve Days of Christmas


John Denver and Muppets 12 Days of Christmas

On the 1st day of Christmas my true love sent to me...

A Partridge in a Pear Tree

The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. In the song, Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge that feigns injury to decoy predators from her helpless nestlings, much in memory of the expression of Christ's sadness over the fate of Jerusalem: "Jerusalem! Jerusalem! How often would I have sheltered you under my wings, as a hen does her chicks, but you would not have it so . . . ." (Luke 13:34)

On the 2nd day of Christmas my true love sent to me...

Two Turtle Doves

The Old and New Testaments, which together bear witness to God's self-revelation in history and the creation of a people to tell the Story of God to the world.

On the 3rd day of Christmas my true love sent to me...

Three French Hens

The Three Theological Virtues:  1) Faith, 2) Hope, and 3) Love (1 Corinthians 13:13)

On the 4th day of Christmas my true love sent to me...

Four Calling Birds *

The Four Gospels: 1) Matthew, 2) Mark, 3) Luke, and 4) John, which proclaim the Good News of God's reconciliation of the world to Himself in Jesus Christ.
[* This is the 1909 American version.  Earlier English versions have "colley birds" or blackbirds.  There are other versions as well.]

On the 5th day of Christmas my true love sent to me...

Five Gold Rings

The first Five Books of the Old Testament, known as the Torah or the Pentateuch:  1) Genesis, 2) Exodus, 3) Leviticus, 4) Numbers, and 5) Deuteronomy, which gives the history of humanity's sinful failure and God's response of grace in the creation of a people to be a light to the world.


On the 6th day of Christmas my true love sent to me...

Six Geese A-laying

The six days of creation that confesses God as Creator and Sustainer of the world (Genesis 1).

On the 7th day of Christmas my true love sent to me...

Seven Swans A-swimming

The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: 1) prophecy, 2) ministry, 3) teaching, 4) exhortation, 5) giving, 6) leading, and 7) compassion (Romans 12:6-8; cf. 1 Corinthians 12:8-11)

On the 8th day of Christmas my true love sent to me...

Eight Maids A-milking

The eight Beatitudes: 1) Blessed are the poor in spirit, 2) those who mourn, 3) the meek, 4) those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, 5) the merciful, 6) the pure in heart, 7) the peacemakers, 8) those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. (Matthew 5:3-10)

On the 9th day of Christmas my true love sent to me...

Nine Ladies Dancing

The nine Fruit of the Holy Spirit: 1) love, 2) joy, 3) peace, 4) patience, 5) kindness, 6) generosity, 7) faithfulness, 8) gentleness, and 9) self-control.  (Galatians 5:22)


On the 10th day of Christmas my true love sent to me...

Ten Lords A-leaping

The ten commandments: 1) You shall have no other gods before me; 2) Do not make an idol; 3) Do not take God's name in vain; 4) Remember the Sabbath Day; 5) Honor your father and mother; 6) Do not murder; 7) Do not commit adultery; 8) Do not steal; 9) Do not bear false witness; 10) Do not covet. (Exodus 20:1-17)

On the 11th day of Christmas my true love sent to me...

Eleven Pipers Piping

The eleven Faithful Apostles: 1) Simon Peter, 2) Andrew, 3) James, 4) John, 5) Philip, 6) Bartholomew, 7) Matthew, 8) Thomas, 9) James bar Alphaeus, 10) Simon the Zealot, 11) Judas bar James. (Luke 6:14-16). The list does not include the twelfth disciple, Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus to the religious leaders and the Romans.


On the 12th day of Christmas my true love sent to me...

Twelve Drummers Drumming 

The Twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles' Creed: 1) I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. 2) I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. 3) He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. 4) He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell [the grave]. 5) On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. 6) He will come again to judge the living and the dead. 7) I believe in the Holy Spirit, 8) the holy catholic Church, 9) the communion of saints, 10) the forgiveness of sins, 11) the resurrection of the body, 12) and life everlasting.

Epiphany, January 6


By the Naznet Fellowship


Here are the 12 days, starting on December 26, and the historical feasts on each day.
December 26: St. Stephen (First Martyr)
December 27: St. John the Evangelist
December 28: Holy Innocents
December 29: St. Thomas Becket
December 30: St. Egwin of Evesham (or 6th day in the Octave of Christmas)
December 31: St. Sylvester I
January 1: The Circumcision of Our Lord (Octave Day of Christmas)
January 2: Holy Name of Jesus
January 3: Sts. Zosimus and Athanasius (or Octave Day of St. John)
January 4: St. Aquilinus (or Octave Day of the Holy Innocents)
January 5: Vigil of the Epiphany (and St.Telesphorus)
January 6: Epiphany
.

Monday, December 23, 2019

The Melchizedek Chronicles - Glory to God - The Savior is Born!


The Savior is Born!

The Melchizedek Chronicles - Will You Find What You Need This New Year – the Path to Salvation? Try Prayer, it got us this far.


Repentance and Redemption - Lost but not yet found

A Letter to Jesus – a report on the status of Earth

It has been many years since you sent me here to make sense of what is happening on Earth.  I’m sorry to report that the only cents being made in America is what goes into the deep pockets of the super-rich.

The people, well they are still a train wreck.  They were given a Free Will to choose between Good or Evil, Light or Dark.  So, what do they do?



Many became seduced by the empty promises of the Dark Side and willingly embraced the Seven Deadly Sins over the Seven Cardinal Virtues.  Not only are their lives like a train wreck, they are also the victim of their own delusions, subject to the temptations of the Shadow Dwellers, and filled with fear, or a denial of fear.



Still, we know they are the Creations of Our Creator, so no matter how nasty they get, we are still honor-bound to accept your ironclad proclamation of Forgiveness – and Redemption.  Yet they act like a bunch of losers, frustrated, angry, bitter, hateful, self-obsessed and probably possessed.

You do get the sorry state of affairs.


Humans have simply stopped their spiritual evolving, and enlightenment, and are now backsliding into the Abyss.  I would say it is time the Creator put his foot down, but I doubt someone who is all everything would have much need for a foot.

Thought I might review a particular incident as an example.  Take the Twelve Days of Christmas honoring the birth of the Baby Jesus.  They run from Christmas Day, December 25th, until January 5th, the day before the Epiphany, which is January 6th.


Here are the feasts and honorees during the Twelve Days of Christmas.

December 25: Birth of Jesus
December 26: Feast for St. Stephen (First Martyr)
December 27: Feast for St. John the Evangelist
December 28: Feast for the Holy Innocents
December 29: St. Thomas Becket
December 30: St. Egwin of Evesham (or 6th day in the Octave of Christmas)
December 31: St. Sylvester I
January 1: The Circumcision of Our Lord (Octave Day of Christmas)
January 2: Holy Name of Jesus
January 3: Sts. Zosimus and Athanasius (or Octave Day of St. John)
January 4: St. Aquilinus (or Octave Day of the Holy Innocents)
January 5: Vigil of the Epiphany (and St.Telesphorus)
[January 6: Epiphany]



Of course, most of people do not know or remember the Twelve Days, let alone the Epiphany when the Wise Men, Magi, princes, princesses and other long-distance travelers arrived at the stable to honor the new Messiah.  A magnificent Star of Bethlehem illuminated the Earth drawing kings, priests, rulers and shepherds to the Baby in the Manger.


After Christmas Day, the birth or Nativity of Jesus, the 2nd Day of Christmas celebrates St. Stephen, the first Martyr for Jesus. The 3rd Day honors St. John the Evangelist, the only Apostle not martyred and author of the Gospel, Revelations, and other works.  The Holy Innocents, honored on the 4th Day were the victims of King Herod’s murder of baby males in Bethlehem.  Those are the four major feasts and celebrations of the Birth of the Child Jesus and fulfillment of ancient prophecies.

Could you imagine Herod’s action?  How arrogant for any human to believe their Will is all-powerful like the Will of Our Creator.  They have no concept of the power of the Creator’s “Perfect Love” for all of Creation.


It is so easy to get caught up in the frenzied, frantic, freaky, fear-filled minds of the people.  Their collective will, is like a giant vacuum hose sucking everything in sight down into an endless Back Hole.


Okay, enough of the frayed edges of humanity where wounds are laid open and never heal.


We need help to get through to them.  Before we can help them, we must get their attention and shatter the glass wall surrounding their lives, the same glass wall that blocks them from seeing good.


They have forgotten how to pray, the need for prayer, and how it can only be achieved through their attainment of the insights of the Holy Spirit.  It did not used to be like this.  There was a time nearly 1,600 years ago when all knew how to pray, a few hundred years after the death of Jesus.

Over the years it seemed to lose favor and before long it was lost in the past, the prayers and feasts honoring the Baby Jesus being replaced by Santa, Reindeer, presents, so many and so expensive, self-indulgence, and nary a thought of the wonder of the Jesus Child, the miracles of the Creator, the path to the Kingdom from the Holy Spirit, or the fulfillment of the ancient prophecies.


Poof – it was all gone, buried in an avalanche of credit card debt, one-upping the neighbors, honoring the false gods of commerce, and ignoring their relationship to Father Creator and his beloved Son.  Greed, Power and Control, the magic triangle of the Dark Side.


Only this triangle tilts upside down, forcing everything down to the single point at the bottom.  Now they tragically find themselves spiraling toward the Black Hole to the Abyss, the gateway to the Void of the Anti-Matter.


Thanks to your Father’s never-ending benevolence and unwillingness to give up on his Creations, they still have a shot at repentance, and redemption.  In other words, there is still hope St. Peter might find their name on the list at the Golden Gate to the Kingdom of Heaven.


They must wake up before it is too late, and time is getting short.


First people must seek out solitude and peace, surrounded by silence if at all possible.  You must learn to meditate.  Purge your mind of all worldly distractions, and your spirit of all those other-worldly distractions.  It may not be easy at first because humans constantly overload their sensory perceptions.


Everything is too much, too many, too loud, too inferior, too cheap, too impersonal, too stupid or just plain nonsense.  Our sensory nerves are not just frayed, they are fried.  We are addicted to downloading way more than our touch, scent, sight, hearing or taste can absorb and process.


Get off the bandwagon following the lead of everyone else and be brave, be courageous, be smart, and be aware of yourself by being different.  Think, think of choices and consequences, but think for yourself with the many God-given gifts you have received.


Free yourself from the shackles of slavery in far many more ways than you can imagine, by reaching the state of peace devoid of the distractions of life.

When you reach the place of peace and solitude, ask for help from Jesus to activate the Holy Spirit within you, long dormant while waiting to be called by you for help.


In your lifetime you have drifted farther and farther away from Jesus, who is the pathway to Our Creator.  The Dark Side has been harvesting more and more weak and fear-laden souls of late.


Rule number one in Creation.  It is foolhardy to attempt to usurp control over any of the Creator’s Creations.  Whatever actions you take to accumulate power and possessions that are not yours in the first place to possess, is an affront to the Creator.


You can kiss off any hope for seeing the Kingdom by embracing the empty promises of the Void where in time contaminated souls are transformed into anti-matter for eternity and beyond.  You might call that Hell.


At present there are a considerable number of contaminated and lost souls walking the Earth who collectively represent a roadblock to salvation in the Kingdom of Heaven for all others.  Do not be surprised if substantial numbers of them are taken from the Earth to clear a path for those of faith, or those who will seek and find faith.

Not all seeds planted will grow in the Earth.  Some must die away so that others will thrive.  It is your choice.  You have much bigger concerns than school, work, or retirement.  Just getting by is not going to be good enough.


Meditate, ask Jesus to help awaken the Holy Spirit in you, fill yourself with the wonders of the Holy Spirit, find the pathway to Jesus and the Father, become aware of the Perfect Love of the Creator – then go out and live the will of Father Creator - knowing you have found redemption and salvation, through the Son.

Yours in Hope,

Just another traveler On the Road to Kingdom Come.