Epiphany

(Three kings, from a Nativity set made by the Women’s Multipurpose Co-operative in the Philippines, from the flickr site of mlsj)

I was going to write today about Twelfth Night, a favourite festival of mine even if I never celebrate it, but I have just learnt from Wikipedia that Twelfth Night is actually the 5th January! So I’ve been mulling over misrule and merrymaking on the wrong day for years! Oh horror.

I do hope that you have all enjoyed the holidays. I had really a perfect Christmas – as many sparkly lights, over-excited small children, board games, glasses of sherry and slices of cake as anyone could desire. We arrived back in England in time for the carols from King’s, without which no Christmas Eve could be quite complete for me. I also attended a magical puppet show (‘The Magician’s Daughter’, by the Little Angel Theatre) with two spellbound little girls, and along with my father and brother discovered the delights of Metaxa, only fifteen years after I brought the bottle back from a Greek holiday (it was the first spirit to be consumed in space don’t you know). I also continued my Iris Murdoch binge. I am really devouring them, not bothering to think about them particularly (sorry, Iris, you deserve better I know). I think my favourite so far is The Nice and the Good, but I haven’t thought about why. Any other fans out there? Which ones do you like most – and which do you think are the best?

Back in Belgium I was able to make space for and unpack many of my childhood books. Unpacking and arranging books is always pleasing, but this time I was able to wallow nostalgically in memories of the person I was aged about eight or so. Seeing those faded Puffin paperbacks sitting there all together, I thought how much they had shaped my view of the world, and I suppose they continue to do so. Tomorrow the real world intrudes once more and it’s back to the teacher-training course, of which I have been feeling more and more scared as the holiday progressed, ridiculous as I know it’s not that bad. But setting out my books the other day, I couldn’t help but feel that Joan Aiken, Elizabeth Goudge, Susan Cooper, C.S. Lewis, Lloyd Alexander, Penelope Lively, Diana Wynne Jones – they had my back. Onwards!

Comments

[Alex]

A heated row at a pub quiz the other day eventually revealed the 'fact' that while there is no doubt about the date of Epiphany Twelfth Night has been celebrated on either/both the 5th and the 6th for centuries. It all depends on which day you think is the first day of Christmas. If you count Christmas Day it's the 5th and if you don't it's the 6th. So, I think you can take your choice.

As someone who was a teacher herself for almost twenty years and then spent the next twenty years training people to be teachers, I would be seriously worried if you weren't feeling at least slightly apprehensive about the new term. It's the students who sail in supremely confident that they have it all in hand who usually come the biggest cropper. However, with that experience behind me if I can ever be of any help do let me know.

[Helen]

Hello Alex! How very interesting, and a good reminder not to rely too much on Wikipedia as an infallible source. Actually I do feel that a spot of misrule and merrymaking is never out of place, so perhaps I'll just celebrate it on both the 5th and 6th.

What a very kind offer, thank you! You are very reassuring. It's a habit of mine to build something up in my imagination until it's terrifying - and then when I actually get to it, it's fine. What a waste of energy! I just need to get on with it.

[Joan Hunter Dunn]

I love Epiphany - it reminds me not to rush on to the next thing but savour the season. And yes to Carols at Kings - how lovely and reassuring it is. Lovely to read about your Christmas. Hope this term is better than anticipated.

[Desperate Reader]

Which was your favourite Susan Cooper? My mother gave me the whole dark is rising sequence for my 9th birthday - I don't think I've ever met anyone else who has read her though.

[Simon T]

I was coming to do as Alex has done, and reassure you about the dates!

As for Iris Murdoch... if you pop by my blog tomorrow, you'll be horrified to see how I have struggled with her, and hopefully you'll be able to help me out...

[Helen]

Thank you Joan for your lovely words! I'm feeling rather ashamed of myself now for being so weedy about the teaching.

My favourite Susan Cooper? Hmm. I think 'The Dark is Rising', although I have a soft spot for 'Over Sea, Under Stone' too as it was the first I read. What's yours? I reread them all while I was pregnant (in fact, finished 'Silver on the Tree' while I was going into labour) and they were still really really good.

Simon, I am intrigued! I will be over tomorrow...

[litlove]

I am so glad you had a lovely Christmas! I never know when Twelfth Night is, so it was interesting to read the comments! And it might amuse you to know that when I was teaching in France I was told the story of this male teacher, a large man and physically intimidating, who was terrified of his class. One day they were in full riot when another teacher stopped by to see what was going on. He was very surprised to find the class alone. When he asked where this male teacher had gone they told him he'd got into the cupboard and wouldn't come out! So this is to say, yes teaching can be scary, but you are doing better than this man whatever you do!

[Helen]

Thank you litlove!

If only the school in which I'm going to teach HAD cupboards... :)