Christmas Day is almost upon us, with folks across the globe rushing to do their last minute shopping as well as getting together with loved ones for the celebrations.
And as well as being a chance to eat loads, have a few festive drinks, exchange presents and indulge in some festive telly, let’s not forget there is a religious aspect to proceedings also.
Much of that centres around the 12 Days Of Christmas – which you’ll all know from the famous carol about partridges in pear trees and the like – but when do the 12 days actually start and when do they end?
Here’s what you need to know…
When do the 12 Days of Christmas start and end?
The 12 Days of Christmas – also known as Twelvetide – actually begin on Christmas Day itself.
They don’t end until 5 January – which is the day before Epiphany, and which is known as Twelfth Night – with the following day being the day by which time your tree and decorations should be taken down.
All of the days have their own individual religious significance, with people celebrating a different thing on each day.
Here’s what each different day means…
What does each day of the 12 Days of Christmas mean?
The first day – Christmas Day, about celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
The second day – known as Boxing Day in the UK, known elsewhere as St Stephen’s Day, being the day of the Christian martyr St Stephen.
The third day – celebrates St John The Apostle, author of the book of Revelation, and also the patron saint of love, loyalty, friendships and authors.
The fourth day – this is the Feast Of The Holy Innocents, the day to remember all of the baby boys who were killed by king herod in his search to find and kill the Baby Jesus.
The fifth day – the day which remembers St Thomas Becket. He was the Archbishop of Canterbury in the 12th Century and was murdered on this day, 29 December, in 1170 for challenging the king’s authority over the Church.
The sixth day – this commemorates St Egwin of Worcester, who died on 30 December 717. He was known as the protector of orphans and the widowed.
The seventh day – this falls on New Year’s Eve and this is the day that Pope Sylvester I is traditionally celebrated. The day is still known as Silvester in some East European countries.
The eighth day – this falls on New Year’s Day and celebrates Mary The Mother Of Jesus.
The ninth day – commemorates St Basil The Great and St Gregory Nazianzen, who were two important Christians who lived in the 4th Century.
The tenth day – this is the Feast Of The Holy Name Of Jesus, and it marks the day Jesus was named in the Jewish Temple.
The eleventh day – celebrates St Elizabeth Ann Seton who was the first American saint who lived in the 18th and 19th centuries. This day is also celebrated as the Feast of Saint Simon Styliyes who spent 37 years living on a small platform on the top of a pillar.
The twelfth day – Epiphany eve, as it is the day before 6 January.
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source https://metro.co.uk/2019/12/23/when-do-the-12-days-of-christmas-start-and-end-11947824/
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