Most of us probably know the 12 Days of Christmas as a carol about increasingly grandiose gifts given at each passing day, but in the Christian faith, the feast commemorates the Nativity of Jesus Christ, the savior who entered the world of man in profound humility.
The 12 Days of Christmas, also known as Twelvetide, is celebrated differently by various denominations, cultures, and nations. Most Western ecclesiastical traditions, however, acknowledge the 25th of Dec. as the First day of Christmas. Hence, the feast is celebrated from Christmas Day to the 5th of January.
While some Christian denominations see Twelvetide as identical to Christmastide, for most, such as the Roman Catholic Church, the Christmas season lasts longer than just 12 days. Several feasts are celebrated within that time, apart from Christmas, there is New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, the Solemnity of Mary, and more, ending on the feast of the Epiphany.
As a carol, the 12 Days of Christmas, may appear as a song about lavish gifts, but author Anna Ball believes that there are religious connations attached. In her book, titled “Handbook of Catholic…
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