People ask when is the right time to take down the Christmas Decorations, the traditional correct time is the Twelth Night or evening of the 5th of January. Although this does vary in some other Christian traditions. Indeed the exchange of presents often occurs on the 6th of January, to commemorate the visit of the three kings to the baby Jesus.
All too often people take down the Christmas decorations directly after Christmas Day, which is in line with the end of the commercial end of the Christmas marketing season.
So you can easily reference the respective days and dates, the twelve days with dates and possible religious meanings follows -
25th December – 1 First Day of Christmas – True Love refers to God
26th December – 2 – Second Day of Christmas – Turtle Doves refers to the Old and New Testaments
27th December – 3 – Third Day of Christmas – French Hens refers to Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues
28th December – 4 – Fourth Day of Christmas – Calling Birds refers to the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
29th December – 5 – Fifth Day of Christmas – Golden Rings refers to the first Five Books of the Old Testament, the “Pentateuch”, which gives the history of man’s fall from grace.
30th December – 6 – Sixth Day of Christmas – Geese A-laying refers to the six days of creation
31st December – 7 – Seventh Day of Christmas – Swans A-swimming refers to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments
1st January, New Years Day – 8 – Eighth Day of Christmas – Maids A-milking refers to the eight beatitudes
2nd January – 9 – Ninth Day of Christmas – Ladies Dancing refers to the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
3rd January – 10 – Tenth Day of Christmas – Lords A-leaping refers to the ten commandments
4th January – 11 Eleventh Day of Christmas – Pipers Piping refers to the eleven faithful apostles
5th January – The Twelth Night – 12 Drummers Drumming refers to the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle’s Creed
The twelve days of Christmas can also be considered to represent each of the following twelve months.
If you would like to hear some seasonal music check out the North Wales Choirs at www.amicidelcanto.co.uk and www.cormeibioncolwyn.co.uk
