Christmas History, The Twelve Days of Christmas

This period is often misunderstood as many people think that the celebration is the twelve days before Christmas. This is inaccurate; it is the twelve days after.

The twelve days of Christmas begins on the evening of December 25th and end on the evening of January 5th.

January 6th is the Epiphany. The origins of this season are complicated and differ greatly among churches and cultures.

The Epiphany is considered the day that the wise men or magi visited the baby Jesus in Bethlehem. While some cultures celebrate Christmas on December 25th and exchange gifts at that time, other cultures give gifts on January 6th while still celebrating December 25th. Eastern orthodox religions use a different calendar that sets Christmas on January 7th and the Epiphany on January 17th. French and English cultures celebrate the 12th night and Catholics incorporate this time into their Mardi Gras celebration.

In some cultures it is a Christmas tradition to give gifts on each day leading up to Epiphany. Though giving gifts for each of the twelve days is no longer as much a widely held Christmas tradition as it once was, the tradition does persist for some families.

The Christmas song, The Twelve Days of Christmas is believe by some to date back to the 16th century religious wars.

It is believe by these groups that the song was written as a way of teaching children the Catechism during a time when Christians were persecuted.

This theory is the center of much controversy and there is not hard evidence to support either side.

Others though see the song as a joyous Christmas song celebrating the spirit of Christmas and the joy of giving. It is a rich part of Christmas history. The supposed meanings of each “gift” were as follows:

1 Partridge in a pear tree = The One true God revealed in the person of Jesus Christ

2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments

3 French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity
4 Calling Birds = the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists

5 Golden Rings = The first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch" which contain the law condemning us of our sins.

6 Geese A-laying = the six days of creation

7 Swans A-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments of the Catholic faith

8 Maids A-milking = the eight beatitudes

9 Ladies Dancing = the nine Fruits of the Spirit

10 Lords A-leaping = the ten commandments

11 Pipers Piping = the eleven faithful apostles

12 Drummers Drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed

Other theories date the song back to an English song from the early 1980s called Mirth without Mischief. It is said that the Twelve Days of Christmas was actually a children's memory game. Whatever the true origins and story behind this Christmas song, it is a timeless family Christmas tradition.

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