is it the twelve days before christmas? or the twelve days after christmas because i've been told both
2007-12-12 02:19:36 · 16 answers · asked by Stephen M 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Christmas
cdf-rom : I have no source for it being before christmas, its just what my friend said when we were discussing this the other day.
2007-12-12 02:58:11 · update #1
From 25th December to 6th January, Epiphany. Epiphany being the day the three wise men ( Magi) arrived in Bethlehem.
2007-12-12 02:30:23 · answer #1 · answered by Dory 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Hey, a great question, and one that is very appropriate to the season!
Traditionally, it's been Christmas day through January 6th (called Epiphany), because it is believed that the Magi arrived to deliver their presents (the origin of Christmas presents) twelve days after Jesus was born. Some churches may still hold off their gift giving until Jan 6, (which makes a LOT of sense to me, because then you get to take advantage of all the after-Christmas sales.)
I know of at least one radio station that has a 'twelve days of Christmas' contest, where they give away prizes for the twelve days preceeding Christmas, with the grand prize winner on Christmas Eve, but I've never heard anybody seriously advance the proposition that the phrase refers to the days prior to the December 25.
Would you mind mentioning your source for 'before' in addtional details? I'm curious. Thanks!
12 DEC 07, 1538 hrs, GMT.
2007-12-12 10:33:10 · answer #2 · answered by cdf-rom 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Sorry to bring religion into Christmas
The 12 days begin the evening of Christmas Day (December 25) through the morning of Epiphany (January 6)
The 12 days as a length of celebration is based on a sequence of verses in the Holy Bible (Matthew 2:1-12), and a belief that it may have taken 12 days for the three kings (wise men or Magi) to travel to Bethlehem.
2007-12-12 10:34:59 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The "Twelve days of Christmas start with Christmas day and end on the Eve of Epiphany on 5th January, according to this website: http://www.carols.org.uk/the_twelve_days_of_christmas.htm
They definitely don't start BEFORE Christmas, because we are still in Advent up until Christmas eve. That's why your advent calendar has little windows up til the 24th.
Here is some more info about Epiphany or Twelfth day.
2007-12-12 10:30:49 · answer #4 · answered by Cathy T 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
December 25 -- January 6
2007-12-12 10:22:40 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
It is the 12 days after Christmas which is why all decorations and trees must come down on January 6th (or else you get bad luck apparently). It's called Twelfth Night (which is why the Shakespeare play was called that as it was performed on January 5th).
For a drunken take on the song 12 days of christmas, watch this Jeremy Lion clip on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zy791huV-Dk&feature=related
2007-12-12 10:26:59 · answer #6 · answered by Carrie S 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
From Christmas day untilthe 6th January when you take the decorations down
2007-12-12 10:24:43 · answer #7 · answered by Maid Angela 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is from the 25th of December until the 6th of January, hence why you take your Xmas decorations down on the 6th of January (the 12th day after Xmas).
2007-12-12 10:28:44 · answer #8 · answered by Miss Pink 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Up to 6th January, that's when officially they take all the trimmings and lights down, so you have to work out when Christmas actually starts.
2007-12-12 10:24:07 · answer #9 · answered by Tango 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Twelve days before Christmas for sure and you take your tree down on the twelfth night after Christmas
2007-12-12 10:22:45 · answer #10 · answered by **** 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋