Joshua Bennett
The liturgical Christmas season in the Catholic Church traditionally lasts twelve days, from 25 December to 5 January, with the latter date being named Twelfth Night. However, in the United States, the Catholic Christmas season can last until 8 January or even 12 January, depending on when the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord is celebrated. The twelve days of Christmas are celebrated by many Catholics around the world and are rooted in the Christian belief of the Incarnation, which states that Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary and became human.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 25th December to 5th January |
| Also known as | Christmastide, Twelve Days of Christmas, Twelvetide |
| Traditions | Attending church services, singing Christmas carols and spiritual hymns, visiting friends and family, performing works of mercy, viewing the Nativity play, giving gifts |
| Important dates | Christmas Day (25th December), Saint Stephen's Day (26th December), Feast of St. John the Evangelist (27th December), Childermas (28th December), New Year's Eve (31st December), Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (1st January), Feast of the Holy Family (date varies), Epiphany (6th January) |
| Belief | Incarnation, birth of Jesus, coming of the Magi |
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What You'll Learn
The Twelve Days of Christmas
The first day of the Twelve Days of Christmas is marked by Catholics gathering in churches to celebrate the Nativity of Jesus. This is followed by the Feast of St. Stephen on December 26, honouring the first martyr of the Church. The next day, December 27, is the Feast Day of St. John the Apostle and Evangelist, a day to remember his life and teachings.
December 28 is the Feast of the Holy Innocents, commemorating the children killed by Herod in his attempt to murder the infant Jesus. This day emphasizes the importance of protecting children and standing up for the vulnerable.
New Year's Eve and New Year's Day are also part of the Twelve Days of Christmas, with the latter being celebrated as the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God. It is a day of prayer and reflection, honouring Mary's role in the Church and seeking her motherly protection.
The popular Christmas carol, "The Twelve Days of Christmas," is associated with this festive period. While there are theories about its origins, it is believed to have deeper meanings and hidden references. For example, the partridge in a pear tree is said to represent Jesus, and the two turtle doves symbolise the Old and New Testaments. The twelve drummers drumming at the end of the song represent the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles' Creed, summarising the core beliefs of Christianity.
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The Feast of St. Stephen
In Western Christian denominations, Saint Stephen's Day marks the second day of Christmastide. It is a time to honour Saint Stephen's courage and steadfastness in the face of death as he proclaimed his faith. The day is often celebrated with festive meals, parades, and other traditions. For example, in Ireland, there is a tradition of hunting a wren, which is believed to bring bad luck, and then parading it around the neighbourhood on top of a staff decorated with holly, ivy, and ribbons. This custom is known as Wren Day.
In Eastern Orthodox Churches that follow the Julian calendar, Saint Stephen's Day falls on December 27, which corresponds to January 9 on the Gregorian calendar used in civil contexts. In some countries, such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Saint Stephen is celebrated as the patron saint, but the day is observed more as an anniversary of historical events rather than a purely religious feast.
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The Feast of St. John the Evangelist
The feast day is celebrated with the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom, preceded by a Matins (Orthros) service and a Great Vespers the evening before. The scripture readings for the feast include passages from the Gospel of John and the Acts of John, such as the story of John and the poisoned cup.
In the Catholic tradition, the Feast of St. John the Apostle and Evangelist is celebrated on December 27th as part of the Twelve Days of Christmas. These twelve days fall between two major Christian feasts: the Nativity on Christmas Day and the Epiphany, celebrated on January 6th. During this festive season, Catholics gather in churches for special services and liturgies to celebrate the Incarnation, the birth of Jesus, and the coming of the Magi.
The Twelve Days of Christmas are a time of joy and celebration in the Catholic faith, filled with gift-giving, feasting, and reflection on the deeper meanings of the carol "The Twelve Days of Christmas". The Catholic Christmas season, including the Octave of Christmas and the Twelve Days, can extend beyond Epiphany to end on January 12th, with the Baptism of the Lord.
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The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
The feast celebrates Mary being the mother of Jesus. The title "Mother of God" is a translation of the Latin title "Mater Dei", which in turn is a rendering of the Greek title "Theotokos", meaning "Bearer of God". The title was dogmatically adopted by the First Council of Ephesus in 431 AD, asserting the divinity of Christ. The celebration of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, is a way to honour Mary, who was chosen to bear God incarnate, and to honour the Lord, who is fully God and fully human. It is a day of prayer and reflection, remembering the important role that Mary plays in the life of the Church and asking for her motherly protection.
The date of the 1st of January was set by Pope Paul VI in his Apostolic Letter Marialis Cultus, to commemorate the part played by Mary in the mystery of salvation. It is also the octave day of Christmas, the eighth day after the birth of Christ, on which, according to Luke 2:21, the child was circumcised and given the name Jesus. The celebration of the motherhood of Mary on this day has a long history, with the Church in Rome celebrating a feast on the 1st of January as early as the 7th century.
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The Epiphany
In Western Christianity, the feast commemorates principally (but not solely) the visit of the Magi to the Christ Child, and thus Jesus Christ's physical manifestation to the Gentiles. It is sometimes called Three Kings' Day, and in some traditions is celebrated as Little Christmas. The Magi brought gifts to the infant Jesus, and this is why gifts are exchanged during Christmastide.
In the Eastern rites of the Catholic Church, Theophany—as Epiphany is known in the East—commemorates the manifestation of Jesus' divinity at his baptism in the River Jordan. The Eastern traditions, which usually call the holiday Theophany, focus on Jesus' baptism, seen as the manifestation of Christ as both fully human and fully divine. The Western traditions focus on the Magi's visit, seen as the first manifestation of Christ as the saviour of Gentiles as well as Jews.
Epiphany is observed on January 6 by Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans, and Christians of other Western traditions. In the United States, where Epiphany is celebrated on the Sunday between January 2 and January 8, the day is marked by the eating of a King Cake—a sweet cake that sometimes contains an object like a figurine or a lone nut. In some locations, the lucky recipient of this prize either gets special treatment for the day or must hold a party at the close of the Epiphany season on February 2.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Catholics do not celebrate Christmas until January twelfth. The Catholic Christmas season starts on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day and ends on the Sunday of the Epiphany, which falls between January 2 and January 8. The 12 Days of Christmas are celebrated by many Catholics around the world, and these last from December 25 to January 5 (the eve of the Epiphany).
The Epiphany is the celebration of the revelation of Jesus as the Son of God. It is celebrated on January 6, the 12th Day of Christmas.
The 12 Days of Christmas are celebrated by Catholics and fall between two major Christian feasts: the Nativity on Christmas Day and the Epiphany. The 12 Days are a time of joy and celebration in the Catholic faith.
