The Twelve Days of Christmas is actually one of the most incorrectly identified holiday traditions and time periods on the calendar today. Most people assume that the 12 days of Christmas, like the advent calendar comes before and leads up to Christmas day. However, it actually begins on or after Christmas.
The 12 days of Christmas is also known as the period of Christmastide. During Christmastide, the way people celebrate the holiday season varies slightly. For instance, there are different beliefs as to when the holiday should be celebrated. These beliefs are typically influenced by the culture that you live in as well as the religious denomination that you practice.
For example, some traditions celebrate the twelve days of Christmas from Christmas day until January 5th. Other traditions celebrate it starting on Christmas evening until January 6th.
What is the significance of the Christmas history behind the 12 days? This time period represents the time that Jesus was born up until the time that the 3 Kings arrived to see Jesus. The 3 kings were a group of eastern kings that heard about the birth of Christ and wanted to honor him by bringing him gifts. They traveled to go see him, legend has it by following a star that lead them to the birthplace of Christ. When they arrived, they gave him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
The tradition of gift giving during this period varies based upon religions denomination, culture and the Christmas history behind both. Some people give gifts only on Christmas day. Other cultures and denominations give gifts on the 12th day of Christmas only. Still others actually spread out their gift giving and present a gift for each of the 12 days of Christmas to their friends and love ones.
There are many ways this period is celebrated and highlighted. For instance, one common tradition is to light a candle for each of the 12 days. You can purchase a set of 12 candles that you can light for each day in the Christmastide holiday season.
Christmas dinner is also a significant part of the 12 days. The way dinner is treated varies as well. Some groups of people have their major Christmas dinner on Christmas day itself. Others have their major dinner on the 12th day of Christmas. Still others have a feast every day of the 12 days.
Finally, there is the 12 days of Christmas song that is immensely popular all throughout the world. This song highlights different gifts received by the singer of the song from someone referred to as "my true love." There are two major schools of thought as to the meaning of this song. Some simply say it is just a regular Christmas song with no hidden meaning. Others however hold to a belief that the song actually has hidden Christian connotations. For instance, the "true love" actually refers to Jesus Christ and each of the 12 gifts refers to different tenants of the Christian faith.
Regardless of what you believe on how the twelve days of Christmas should be celebrated, it can be an incredible opportunity for you to gather with your friends and family and have fun. You can choose the best way to celebrate it based on your own beliefs and convictions about the holiday season.
The 12 days of Christmas is also known as the period of Christmastide. During Christmastide, the way people celebrate the holiday season varies slightly. For instance, there are different beliefs as to when the holiday should be celebrated. These beliefs are typically influenced by the culture that you live in as well as the religious denomination that you practice.
For example, some traditions celebrate the twelve days of Christmas from Christmas day until January 5th. Other traditions celebrate it starting on Christmas evening until January 6th.
What is the significance of the Christmas history behind the 12 days? This time period represents the time that Jesus was born up until the time that the 3 Kings arrived to see Jesus. The 3 kings were a group of eastern kings that heard about the birth of Christ and wanted to honor him by bringing him gifts. They traveled to go see him, legend has it by following a star that lead them to the birthplace of Christ. When they arrived, they gave him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
The tradition of gift giving during this period varies based upon religions denomination, culture and the Christmas history behind both. Some people give gifts only on Christmas day. Other cultures and denominations give gifts on the 12th day of Christmas only. Still others actually spread out their gift giving and present a gift for each of the 12 days of Christmas to their friends and love ones.
There are many ways this period is celebrated and highlighted. For instance, one common tradition is to light a candle for each of the 12 days. You can purchase a set of 12 candles that you can light for each day in the Christmastide holiday season.
Christmas dinner is also a significant part of the 12 days. The way dinner is treated varies as well. Some groups of people have their major Christmas dinner on Christmas day itself. Others have their major dinner on the 12th day of Christmas. Still others have a feast every day of the 12 days.
Finally, there is the 12 days of Christmas song that is immensely popular all throughout the world. This song highlights different gifts received by the singer of the song from someone referred to as "my true love." There are two major schools of thought as to the meaning of this song. Some simply say it is just a regular Christmas song with no hidden meaning. Others however hold to a belief that the song actually has hidden Christian connotations. For instance, the "true love" actually refers to Jesus Christ and each of the 12 gifts refers to different tenants of the Christian faith.
Regardless of what you believe on how the twelve days of Christmas should be celebrated, it can be an incredible opportunity for you to gather with your friends and family and have fun. You can choose the best way to celebrate it based on your own beliefs and convictions about the holiday season.
About the Author:
Kerry Beck offers free advent calendars with daily Christmas projects to prepare your family for Christmas. Your family will learn more about holiday traditions with some of the daily projects.
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