Mrs. Teabody Laments A Truncated Season

Darlings, All, Good Morrow to you!


Mrs. Teabody feels quite bundled this frosty morning attired as she is in heavy robe, wooly socks and slippers. In truth, a pair of gloves and a warm hat and Mrs. Teabody would be ready for a mad dash on slats down a wintry slope -- a rather unsuccessful stab toward your funny bone, Gentle Readers. Mrs. Teabody has no intentions of exposing herself to the cruel elements. That is for hardier souls.


January 6 is Twelfth Night - -some will argue it is January 5--of the Twelve Days of Christmas fame. On that date it is believed that the magi, the three kings, found their way to the stable where the Christ child lay. In some Christian beliefs this marks the day of recognition, Epiphany. In a less somber vein, the very idea of kings visiting a lowly stable shows a world turned upside down and it is this chaos that has led to fine merrymaking:


According to Mr. Wikipedia

It is defined by the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary as "the evening of the fifth of January, preceding Twelfth Day, the eve of the Epiphany, formerly the last day of the Christmas festivities and observed as a time of merrymaking".
Mrs. Teabody points this out as many, many of her friends are in such a frenzy of getting rid of all the trappings of Christmas as soon as possible. Mon Dieu! Why?

Some are of the opinion that it is "bad luck" to leave the Christmas tree up past New Year's Eve, and the ever sleuth-like Mrs. Teabody has uncovered an ancient Robert Herrick poem that may shed some light on such a belief.

Mr Wikipedia again:
Ceremony upon Candlemas Eve

"Down with the rosemary, and so

Down with the bays and mistletoe;
Down with the holly, ivy, all,
Wherewith ye dress'd the Christmas Hall."
As Herrick’s poem records, the eve of Candlemas (the day before February 2) was the day on which Christmas decorations of greenery were removed from people's homes; for any traces of berries, holly and so forth will bring death among the congregation before another year is out."

Perhaps, Gentle Readers, some merely want to have done with all the untidiness of Christmas?  Mrs. Teabody loves the idea of celebrating Christmas through January 6 at the very least. One goes to such fuss in preparations, must the Christmas spirit be boxed up and put aside so hastily? Mrs. Teabody thinks not. Why just last night Mr. and Mrs. Teabody took  supper with Lady Doyle and Duchess  Henry, and everyone was quite festive.

Many long weeks of winter loom. Mrs. Teabody suggests that fairy lights, glimmering decorations and camaraderie dominate the dreariness as long as possible -- at least until the eve of Candlemas. 

Mr. and Mrs. Teabody will be observing Twelfth Night on January 6 in their fine shop, Tickle Your Fancy. Mrs. Teabody shall fashion a King cake and some wassail for those who drop by. 

Put away Christmas indeed! Not the Teabodys. Not just yet. Enjoy your day, but do take measures to stay warm.

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