The Twelve Days of Christmas?

Question

Do you celebrate them, or are you still stuck in the old American "all that anticipation and Christmas is already over on the 26th" rut.

Answer 1

Great question! The Christmas Season lasts from 25 December (the first day of Christmas) to 5 January (the twelfth day of Christmas, traditionally celebrated as “Twelfth Night” as in Shakespeare’s play). 6 January is the Epiphany of the Lord, of course, commemorating the adoration of the Christ Child by the Three Magi or “Kings,” and is when much of Southern Europe and all of Latin America exchange gifts. (As you can see from that fact, none of this can be based on a pagan Northern European tradition as some have erroneously suggested). In my family, we give each other a gift each day for the twelve days and then an extra something on the Epiphany. Four Sundays before Christmas, the Advent Season begins (this year it started on 2 December). This is properly a time of preparation of one’s spirit for Christmas, not a time to jump the gun and start celebrating.

You are right that living by this tradition really puts the correct emphasis on Christmas and adds greatly to one’s enjoyment of it. I’ve found that it is particularly instructive for the children, spreading their joy out and teaching them about the virtues of patience and gratitude, and keeping the focus on our newborn Lord and Savior rather than on us or any commercialized character (such as Santa, who we don’t exclude, but include only as a supporting player).

Merry Christmas!

Answer 2

If anyone is interested, here is the meaning behind the song:

One partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.

Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.

Four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

Six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit: prophesy, serving, teaching, exortation, contribution, leadership, and mercy.

Eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.

From here on, the order is different from the original song!

Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

Ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.

Eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.

Twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.

Answer 3

I live in Japan, so I've got to pack up the Christmas stuff on the 26th and get ready for New Year. But I'd love to leave the stuff up until Valentine's Day if I could . . . .

Answer 4

In England whilst they have been persecuting catholics, the 12 Days of christmas became written for the 12 days of introduction, yet surely it became to instruct catholic doctrine: Partridge in a pear tree= Christ on the go; 2 Turtledoves= old and new testaments; and so forth.

Answer 5

I have a friend who celebrates the 12 days of Christmas but I have never done so.

Answer 6

Christmas is a pagan holiday that true Christians avoid, whether it's one day or 12.

Answer 7

I and my family are heathen so of course we do! And the 12 nights - its originally a Germanic/Anglo-Saxon tradition from the Solstice to the New Year.

Answer 8

I celebrate the twelve days and nights of Yule.

Answer 9

I never have, but I bet it would be fun!