Have you ever wondered where the “12 Days of Christmas” (as in the song) come from? This is the “Christmastide”, or the days between Christmas Day and Epiphany (January 6). Traditionally, this was the time when the birth of Christ was celebrated with much joy and merriment. Not, as it is done now in our commercial culture, where the Christmas tree and decorations are put up at Thanksgiving and thrown out on December 26. People often think the 12 days of Christmas come before Christmas and the 12th day is Christmas Day, December 25, and December 26 is only for the after Christmas sale (to return unwanted gifts). How shallow have we become!
