In the COVID Age, how a 12 Days Celebration Can Restore the Christmas Spirit

FRONT ROYAL, Va. - Dec. 4, 2020 - PRLog -- The authors of "RETURN OF THE THREE KINGS: RECLAIMING THE 12 DAYS FROM CHRISTMAS TO EPIPHANY", John Link and Jo Lee Loveland Link share how to celebrate and restore connections and Christmas Spirit.

The authors use daily celebrations over the 12 days from Christmas Day to Epiphany January 6^th. The ritual includes reading aloud of traditional Christian verses or other sacred or secular texts, stories, or poems. "For those missing going to church or other houses of worship, this will be surprisingly welcome…. and it adds 11 more days to enjoy Christmas," Readings can be followed by a song, or story, or Christmas activity, or meditation.

Next is "Giving Time" for each of the 12 days, with one small present (stocking stuffers, flower, treat, or card) most days and larger presents 1-2 days. The effect of this pattern creates "Conscious Giving and Receiving" rather than the massive gift overload on Christmas morning. Each gift becomes more significant.

Originally for traditional in person gatherings, the celebration adapts well to distance using Zoom, Skype, and Facetime or just the phone to create connection. "The trick is to create a daily shared time that is fun and meaningful for all. Holidays are often a time for intergenerational communication. Poems, brief stories, special creations, jokes all work well. Family artifacts can be shared. What is important is to have an appointed celebration family time" for the 12 Days, though you will need flexibility."

Distance is not a problem. Send packages with 12 presents or send two packages of 6, or whatever your imagination can think up. Deployed military can engage in virtual celebration and sharing using new technology with family members.

The good news is that the Celebration of 12 days can overcome distance and create ways unique to each family build their own 12 Day Tradition to share readings, fun activity, or gift-giving as sacred, serious, or as silly and playful that fits them. (And you can also take advantage of after-Christmas sales!)

"RETURN OF THE THREE KINGS is a bold reimagining and re-consecrating the celebration of Christmas based on the historical festivities of "Olde Christmas" and incorporating texts and traditions from readings from Christianity and World Religions (Judaism, Buddhism, Sufism, Islam, and Native American Faith traditions) -- and even some for those who seek secular celebrations."  Available on Amazon.

http://returnof3kings.com