The Real Twelve Days of Christmas

"The Twelve Days of Christmas" is a classic Christmas song and carol. Most of us can even sing through the presents received on all twelve days. There's one partridge in a pair tree, two turtle doves, three French hens, four calling birds, five golden rings, six geese-a-laying, seven swans swimming, eight maids milking, nine ladies dancing, ten lords a leaping, eleven pipers piping and twelve drummers drumming. The lyricist's was only satiated by living things, I presume.

The source of the song goes back to old traditions. There were actually traditionally twelve days of Christmas. Christmas began on December 25 and went through January 5, the even of the Epiphany and the twelfth day of Christmas. Christmas then concludes on that evening, known as Twelfth Night.

Twelfth Night is celebrated in some Christian denominations and by others who simply love keeping the traditions and merriment. Shakespeare's famous play "Twelfth Night" was actually intended to provide entertainment on this night. It occurs on the night of January 5. Part of this celebration is often drinking and eating, and drinking Wassail is a well-kept part of this. One feasts on this evening, as it's the eve of the day we celebrate the baptism of Christ. Another part of the festivities is listening to holiday music while taking down the decorations inside and out. Why bring that into the festivities? It's considered to be bad luck to have decorations up after the twelfth night, and taking them down within a merry night can take some of the sting out of the otherwise unpleasant experience.

The time period of December 25 to January 5 is often referred to as Christmastide. These twelve days of Christmas bridge the feat of the Nativity and the feast of the Theophany. In order words, we celebrate throughout all twelve days; they're not considered a time for fasting, unlike some other religious periods of celebration or observance. December 25 marks the celebration of Christ's birth, and the day after the twelfth day of Christmas is the day the baptism of Jesus and his realization as the Messiah is celebrated. This is known as Theophany or the Feast of the Epiphany. This is celebrated on January 6, according to Christians who follow the Gregorian calendar. It's a time of feast and fun, yet it marks the end of the Christmas season, and it's the start of the new year's realization for many.

Some people bring back the old traditions by observing all twelve days, leaving Christmas decorations up until the twelfth night. Some parents buy children twelve small gifts and give them one per day for all 12 days of Christmas. This prolongs the excitement of Christmas, and it is a helpful and tangible way of teaching tradition.

Sources cited:
Caulkins, Mary (2002). Christmas Trivia: 200 Fun & Fascinating Facts About Christmas. New York: Gramercy.

http://www.carols.org.uk/the_twelve_days_of_christmas.htm

Miles, Clement A.. Christmas Customs and Traditions: Their History and Significance. Courier Dover Publications, 1976