Many of us know the famous song, with the many animals and drummers – adding up to hoards of creatures and animals that would make a terrible present for someone’s “True Love.” Maybe the golden rings would make an acceptable present. There are many theories and stories about the origin and meaning of the song The Twelve Days of Christmas, summarized in this Readers’ Digest article.
These days, there has been a sudden proliferation of so-called “12 Days of Advent” Calendars with everything from bits of fancy aged cheese to small batch bourbon, completely forgetting that the Twelve Days refer to Christmastide – the Twelve Days of celebration that START with December 25 and continue through January 5, concluding with a flourish on the Feast of the Epiphany, Three Kings Day, on January 6. Advent begins, of course, four Sundays before Christmas, which is often at the end of November. Many secular Advent Calendars begin on December 1 and have 24 segments.
The Twelve Days of Christmas are a gift to all of us. An opportunity to keep celebrating Emmanuel, God with Us, long after many other people have taken down their trees and stopped singing Christmas carols. At my house, because I am a priest who is usually working on Christmas Eve, we have always started celebrating Christmas on December 25 and we celebrate ALL twelve days – going on a special outing, baking special family treats, watching our favorite movies or opening presents every day. We savor the season and enjoy going to Christmas events when they are a bit less crowded. Some years, we have even observed the tradition of keeping up our tree and decorations until the Feast of Candlemas, February 2, forty days after December 25.
Here at St. Stephen’s & the Vine, in addition to Morning Prayer Worship on Christmas Day and St. Stephen’s Day at 10 a.m., there will be a full Christmas Lessons and Carols service on the First Sunday after Christmas, December 28, at 10 a.m. and we will continue singing Christmas carols and celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany – as well as the Baptism of Drew Kavanaugh! – on the Second Sunday after Christmas, January 4, at 10 a.m.