My True Love gave to me Twelve Drummers Drumming. As the folklore goes, the Twelve Days of Christmas were an elaborate way of teaching children their Catechism in a time when Catholics were persecuted in England.
Each gift from my Ture Love (our Heavenly Father) repsents some part of Catholic teaching. From the Partridge in a Pear Tree, Jesus Christ, all the way to the Twelve Drummers Drumming, each holds a hidden meaning. The Twelve Drummers Drumming beat out the twelve acts of faith contained in the Apostle’s Creed.
I (we) believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth
And in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord
Who was conceived by the power of the Holy Sprit and born of the Virgin Mary
He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried
He descended into hell. On the third day He arose again from the dead
He ascended into Heaven, seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I (we) believe in the Holy Spirit
The Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, the Communion of Saints
The forgiveness of sins
The resurrection of the body
And life everlasting
Amen
According to the well-known Christmas song, today is the last day of Christmas. Growing up, the lights and decorations of the holiday were packed away on January 6, Three Kings and the Epiphany of the Lord. Recently I stumbled upon an article that claimed the Christmas Season could be as much as 20 days in length or longer. According to the article, Christmas ends with the Baptism of the Lord. Once upon a time, the Epiphany, Three Kings, the Baptism were all celebrated together on January 6. Hence the song The Twelve Days of Christmas. Somewhere along the line, the Epiphany was moved from the fixed date of January 6 to the Sunday closest to the 6th. And the Baptism has been moved to the following day in most Catholic Diocese. However; there are some that celebrate the Baptism on the Sunday following Epiphany Sunday. Which would mean this year the Christmas Season begins on December 25 and end on January 7th, for most, or the 13th for some. Confused? Oh, it gets better. There are even some within the Catholic Church hold that Christmas actually ends with the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, Candlemas – which is February 2 each year. This would bring the Christmas Season to 40 days, just as Lent is 40 days. It is also in keeping with the purification necessary after childbirth according to the law at the time.
So what is the exact right time to observe the end of the Christmas season? The Bishops were wise enought to say it is largely a personal call based on your own traditions, customs, practical matters, and other factors. In our house; that’s today. The decorations will come down tomorrow. Although, wouldn’t it be fun to celebrate Christmas for 40 days?
I hope you have enjoyed this the 4th year now of sharing the 12 Days of Christmas. After much thought, I have decided that this will be the last. There are other feast days within the 12 Days of Christmas that I would like to explore more. May God be with us all.
A Feast for the 12th Day of Christmas
Orange Mahi-Mahi
Rice Pilaf
Skillet Green Beans
Orange Mahi-Mahi
3 Mahi-Mahi Filets
2 cups Orange Juice, divided
3 Garlic Cloves
1 tablespoon fresh Basil
6 tablespoons Butter
3/4 cup Panko Breadcrumbs
3 tablespoons Orange Juice
Fresh Basil for garnish
Pour 1-1/2 cups orange juice into a resealable gallon size plastic bag. Add Mahi Filets to the bag. Squeeze bag to remove as much air as possible. Turn several times to coat the filets in the orange juice. Place in a casserole dish to prevent leaking, refrigerate for 1 hour.
Heat oven to 425-degrees.
Peel and finely mince garlic, set aside. Chiffonade basil leaves, then mince, set aside. Melt butter.
Place breadcrumbs in a mixing bowl. Pour butter over the breadcrumbs. Add 3 tablespoons orange juice, garlic and minced basil. Stir to create a paste.
Remove Mahi-Mahi from the orange juice, shake to remove excess liquid. Arrange filets in the casserole dish, discard marinade. Pour remaining 1/2 cup orange juice around the filets. Spread the butter-Panko mixture over each filet to cover tops completely.
Bake in the heated oven until the liquid is bubbling and the fish flakes easily with a fork, about 15 minutes or so. Without moving the dish, turn oven to broil. Let broil for about 5 minutes to “toast” the buttery Panko topping.
Transfer Mahi-Mahi to a serving platter. Spoon any remaining orange sauce from the dish around the fish, garnish with fresh basil and serve.
Skillet Green Beans
1 large Shallot
2 Garlic Cloves
1 (14 oz) bag frozen Green Beans
1 tablespoon Olive Oil
1/2 cup Water
Salt to taste
Dried Thyme to taste
Peel and thinly slice the shallot, set aside. Peel and finely mince garlic, set aside. Thaw green beans under cold running water, set aside to drain.
Heat about a tablespoon of oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add shallots, cook for about 5 minutes, until onions just begin to brown. Reduce heat to low, add garlic and continue to cook for another few minutes. Transfer to a paper towel.
To the now empty skillet, add green beans. Add water, bring to a boil. Cover, continue to cook over high heat until most of the water has evaporated, about 6 or 7 minutes. Remove lid, season with salt and let the remaining water escape. Sprinkle green beans with the shallots. Toss, then season with a little dried thyme. Taste, adjust seasoning as desired.
Transfer to a shallow bowl for serving.
Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands;
serve the LORD with gladness;
come before Him with joyful song.
Welcome to Rosemarie's Kitchen 