The Twelve Days of Christmas
In brief
The significance of the twelve days of Christmas is that they mark the time between when Jesus was born and
when he was visited by the Wise Men. This date, January 6th is typically called Epiphany, or Little Christmas.
In some countries, Epiphany is a more traditional date for giving gifts than is Christmas day. This is because
giving gifts on this day symbolizes the gifts brought by the Wise Men, also called the Three Kings, or Magi.
For many, the day after Christmas signifies an onset of the blues. Christmas is over, and all the fun is done. It
can be helpful to remember the twelve days of Christmas, as many Christians still consider this the Christmas
season. Christmas day doesn’t end Christmas but merely begins the twelve days of Christmas.
For those who are already missing Christmas, celebrating Epiphany can extend the season.
The Twelve Days can also be the beginning of your walk with renewed light in your life.
The Twelve Days of Christmas is probably the most misunderstood part of the church year among Christians
who are not part of liturgical church traditions. Contrary to much popular belief, these are not the twelve days
before Christmas, but in most of the Western Church are the twelve days from Christmas until the beginning of
Epiphany (January 6th; the 12 days count from December 25th until January 5th).
In some traditions, the first day of Christmas begins on the evening of December 25th with the following day
considered the First Day of Christmas (December 26th). In these traditions, the twelve days begin December
26 and include Epiphany on January 6.
The origin and counting of the Twelve Days is complicated, and is related to differences in calendars, church
traditions, and ways to observe this holy day in various cultures.
In the Western church (Europe & the Americas), Epiphany is usually celebrated as the time the Wise Men or
Magi arrived to present gifts to the young Jesus (Matt. 2:1-12). Traditionally there were three Magi, probably
from the fact of three gifts, even though the biblical narrative never says how many Magi came.
In some cultures, especially Hispanic and Latin American culture, January 6th is observed as Three Kings
Day, or simply the Day of the Kings (Span: la Fiesta de Reyes, el Dia de los Tres Reyes, or el Dia de los
Reyes Magos; Dutch: Driekoningendag).
Even though December 25th is celebrated as Christmas in these cultures, January 6th is often the day for
giving gifts. In some places it is traditional to give Christmas gifts for each of the Twelve Days of Christmas.
Since Eastern Orthodox traditions use a different religious calendar, they celebrate Christmas on January 7th
and observe Epiphany or Theophany on January 19th.
By the 16th century, some European and Scandinavian cultures had combined the Twelve Days of Christmas with
(sometimes pagan) festivals celebrating the changing of the year. These were usually associated with driving
away evil spirits for the start of the new year.
The Twelfth Night is January 5th, the last day of the Christmas Season before Epiphany (January 6th). In
some church traditions, January 5th is considered the eleventh Day of Christmas, while the evening of January
5th is still counted as the Twelfth Night, the beginning of the Twelfth day of Christmas the following day.
Twelfth Night often included feasting along with the removal of Christmas decorations. French and English
celebrations of Twelfth Night included a King's Cake, remembering the visit of the Three Magi, and ale or
wine (a King's Cake is part of the observance of Mardi Gras in French Catholic culture of the Southern USA).
In some cultures, the King's Cake was part of the celebration of the day of Epiphany.
The popular song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is usually seen as simply a nonsense song for children (see
12Days). However, some have suggested that it is a song of Christian instruction dating to the 16th century
religious wars in England, with hidden references to the basic teachings of the Faith. They contend that it was
a mnemonic device to teach the catechism to youngsters. The "true love" mentioned in the song is not an earthly
suitor, but refers to God Himself. The "me" who receives the presents refers to every baptized person who is
part of the Christian Faith. Each of the "days" represents some aspect of the Christian Faith that was
important for children to learn.
However, many have questioned the historical accuracy of this origin of the song “The Twelve Days of
Christmas”.
This uncertainty, however, should not prevent us from using the song in celebration of Christmas. Many of the
symbols of Christianity were not originally religious, including even the present date of Christmas, but were
appropriated from contemporary culture by the Christian Faith as vehicles of worship and proclamation.
Perhaps, when all is said and done, historical accuracy is not really the point. Perhaps more important is that
Christians can celebrate their rich heritage, and God's grace, through one more avenue this Christmas.
Now, when they hear what they once thought was a secular "nonsense song,” they will be reminded in one more
way of the grace of God working in transforming ways in their lives and in our world. After all, is that not the
meaning of Christmas anyway?
~ Dennis Bratcher
In brief
The significance of the twelve days of Christmas is that they mark the time between when Jesus was born and
when he was visited by the Wise Men. This date, January 6th is typically called Epiphany, or Little Christmas.
In some countries, Epiphany is a more traditional date for giving gifts than is Christmas day. This is because
giving gifts on this day symbolizes the gifts brought by the Wise Men, also called the Three Kings, or Magi.
For many, the day after Christmas signifies an onset of the blues. Christmas is over, and all the fun is done. It
can be helpful to remember the twelve days of Christmas, as many Christians still consider this the Christmas
season. Christmas day doesn’t end Christmas but merely begins the twelve days of Christmas.
For those who are already missing Christmas, celebrating Epiphany can extend the season.
The Twelve Days can also be the beginning of your walk with renewed light in your life.
The Twelve Days of Christmas is probably the most misunderstood part of the church year among Christians
who are not part of liturgical church traditions. Contrary to much popular belief, these are not the twelve days
before Christmas, but in most of the Western Church are the twelve days from Christmas until the beginning of
Epiphany (January 6th; the 12 days count from December 25th until January 5th).
In some traditions, the first day of Christmas begins on the evening of December 25th with the following day
considered the First Day of Christmas (December 26th). In these traditions, the twelve days begin December
26 and include Epiphany on January 6.
The origin and counting of the Twelve Days is complicated, and is related to differences in calendars, church
traditions, and ways to observe this holy day in various cultures.
In the Western church (Europe & the Americas), Epiphany is usually celebrated as the time the Wise Men or
Magi arrived to present gifts to the young Jesus (Matt. 2:1-12). Traditionally there were three Magi, probably
from the fact of three gifts, even though the biblical narrative never says how many Magi came.
In some cultures, especially Hispanic and Latin American culture, January 6th is observed as Three Kings
Day, or simply the Day of the Kings (Span: la Fiesta de Reyes, el Dia de los Tres Reyes, or el Dia de los
Reyes Magos; Dutch: Driekoningendag).
Even though December 25th is celebrated as Christmas in these cultures, January 6th is often the day for
giving gifts. In some places it is traditional to give Christmas gifts for each of the Twelve Days of Christmas.
Since Eastern Orthodox traditions use a different religious calendar, they celebrate Christmas on January 7th
and observe Epiphany or Theophany on January 19th.
By the 16th century, some European and Scandinavian cultures had combined the Twelve Days of Christmas with
(sometimes pagan) festivals celebrating the changing of the year. These were usually associated with driving
away evil spirits for the start of the new year.
The Twelfth Night is January 5th, the last day of the Christmas Season before Epiphany (January 6th). In
some church traditions, January 5th is considered the eleventh Day of Christmas, while the evening of January
5th is still counted as the Twelfth Night, the beginning of the Twelfth day of Christmas the following day.
Twelfth Night often included feasting along with the removal of Christmas decorations. French and English
celebrations of Twelfth Night included a King's Cake, remembering the visit of the Three Magi, and ale or
wine (a King's Cake is part of the observance of Mardi Gras in French Catholic culture of the Southern USA).
In some cultures, the King's Cake was part of the celebration of the day of Epiphany.
The popular song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is usually seen as simply a nonsense song for children (see
12Days). However, some have suggested that it is a song of Christian instruction dating to the 16th century
religious wars in England, with hidden references to the basic teachings of the Faith. They contend that it was
a mnemonic device to teach the catechism to youngsters. The "true love" mentioned in the song is not an earthly
suitor, but refers to God Himself. The "me" who receives the presents refers to every baptized person who is
part of the Christian Faith. Each of the "days" represents some aspect of the Christian Faith that was
important for children to learn.
However, many have questioned the historical accuracy of this origin of the song “The Twelve Days of
Christmas”.
This uncertainty, however, should not prevent us from using the song in celebration of Christmas. Many of the
symbols of Christianity were not originally religious, including even the present date of Christmas, but were
appropriated from contemporary culture by the Christian Faith as vehicles of worship and proclamation.
Perhaps, when all is said and done, historical accuracy is not really the point. Perhaps more important is that
Christians can celebrate their rich heritage, and God's grace, through one more avenue this Christmas.
Now, when they hear what they once thought was a secular "nonsense song,” they will be reminded in one more
way of the grace of God working in transforming ways in their lives and in our world. After all, is that not the
meaning of Christmas anyway?
~ Dennis Bratcher
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a MorningStar Assemblage
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a MorningStar Assemblage
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Dawn Cove Abbey Inspirations
Article and Poem Contributions are welcomed, and gratefully received.
__________________________________________________
Dawn Cove Abbey Inspirations
Article and Poem Contributions are welcomed, and gratefully received.
__________________________________________________
Music: Joy to the World
| May Light continue to grow in your life. Klaas Tuinman+ MA |
| We awaken in Christ’s body as Christ awakens our bodies, and my poor hand is Christ, He enters my foot, and is infinitely me. I move my hand, and wonderfully My hand becomes Christ, becomes all of Him— for God is indivisibly whole, seamless in His Godhood. I move my foot, and at once He appears like a flash of lightning. Do my words seem blasphemous?— Then open your heart to Him And let yourself receive the one Who is opening to you so deeply. For if we genuinely love Him, We wake up in Christ’s body Where all our body, all over, Every most hidden part of it, Is realized in joy as Him, And He makes us, utterly real, And everything that is hurt, everything that seemed to us dark, harsh, shameful, maimed, ugly, irreparably damaged, is in Him transformed And recognized as whole, as lovely, And radiant in His light We awaken as the Beloved In every last part of our body. -- Symeon the New Theologian (949-1022) |
"There will come a time when you believe everything is finished.
That will be the beginning." ~Louis L'Amour
"People become really quite remarkable when they start thinking that
they can do things. When they believe in themselves they have the
first secret of success." ~Norman Vincent Peale
That will be the beginning." ~Louis L'Amour
"People become really quite remarkable when they start thinking that
they can do things. When they believe in themselves they have the
first secret of success." ~Norman Vincent Peale
MorningStar for people
To submit comments, requests or materials,
contact me at outreach@dawncoveabbey.org
contact me at outreach@dawncoveabbey.org
For empowerment workshops, seminars and lectures, see: http://www.dawncoveabbey.org/healing-circle
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MorningStar Inspiration from Dawn Cove Abbey
Article, haiku, humour and poem contributions are welcomed, and gratefully received
Layout & Design by DawnStar
__________________________________________________
MorningStar Inspiration from Dawn Cove Abbey
Article, haiku, humour and poem contributions are welcomed, and gratefully received
Layout & Design by DawnStar
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