Any day now.  I will hear it for the first time.  Such meaning and joy as I proclaim in song . . . .”and a partridge in a pear tree.”

And soon thereafter, the story will hit your Television news.  Like a news reporter on hurricane watch.. standing in the storms and risking life while blowing in the wind.  Another reporter will take position in front of the crowded local mall to report the Nieman Marcus list for the cost of the 12 days of Christmas.

Good News.. Good News… GOOD NEWS!!! It is already out .  Get that guy or gal to the mall with the satellite truck.

“(Reuters) – Buying a set of the gifts named in the classic holiday carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas” will cost a true love $27,393 this year, up 7.7 percent from the 2012 price tag, according to an annual tongue-in-cheek analysis released on Monday.”

And on what day does the 12 days of Christmas begin?  Did you say December 13?  Well that is just wrong.  Stop it.  That is an urban myth.  How do I know?

My Father, Albert E. Fulton, Sr., was born on January 6. 1919.   Epiphany. And Epiphany my friends is the 12th day of Christmas. Yes it is.  12 Days After Christmas, THAT was when the gifts arrived the first time.

12 days from the appearance of the Eastern Star, on Christmas day as it were.  12 days for the Wise Men, the Magi, to see the light and  travel afar, and present gifts to Emmanuel.  Jesus.  God is with you.

“And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child (Jesus) with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshiped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh” (Matthew 2:11). Gifts were Given on the 12th day of Christmas.  Gold (nice),  frankincense and myrrh (whatever they are) .  OK, I know, those are fragrances and incense.

 Check your nativity scene, two of the dudes are holding bottles.  Only one has the gold.

What does this mean?  Well for those of you who wonder to whom you should send Christmas Cards, it means you can wait to see who sent you one, and reciprocate in kind with an Epiphany Card.

It is a good thing.  And for the thrifty, a money saving idea.  Visit any Walgreens on December 26th and buy exactly the number of cards you need to send at 50% off.  You can even include a family picture of the clan standing by this year’s tree opening gifts.  No stale tale of the Fulton past in current mailing..

So there it is, my hint for the day, heck for the rest of your Holiday life. You owe me nothing.  Not even a card.

Oh yeah, more GOOD NEWS, GOOD NEWS..

“And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.…”  Luke 2:9-10

Merry Christmas