What are the 12 Days of Christmas all about?
Ian
Hey Clive …
Clive
Yes, Ian?
Ian
I’ve got a question for you.
Clive
What a surprise!
Ian
What are the “12 Days of Christmas?” I thought Christmas only had one day!
Clive
Ah – yes. In some churches Christmas is celebrated for 12 days, not just one. December 25th is considered the 1st day of Christmas, and January 5th is the “12th day of Christmas.”
Ian
What’s so special about January 5th?
Clive
Well, it’s the night before January 6th, which is another Christian holiday called “Epiphany.”
Ian
“Epiph-who?”
Clive
Epiphany. Also called “3 Kings Day” in some churches. It’s the day churches remember the wise men – or “3 Kings” who came to bring presents to the baby Jesus.
Ian
Oh … that’s Epiphany?
Clive
Yes. Some churches celebrate Christmas all the way up to Epiphany on January 6th. Sometimes they even give out presents each day for the 12 days – like the song – “On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me … ”
Ian
“A partridge in a pear tree.” Why would I want a partridge in a pear tree?
Clive
That’s not really the point, Ian. The point is different churches celebrate Christmas in different ways, and the 12 days of Christmas is one of those ways.
Ian
I just thought they were copying our “12 Questions of Christmas.”
Clive
No, actually we were copying them.
Ian
Well you learn something every day!
Clive
If you keep asking questions!
Ian
Hey Clive …
Clive
Don’t tell me … another question?
Ian
Tomorrow?
Clive
Tomorrow.
Ian
Right.
