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The 12 Days of Christmas -- Activities, Customs, Prayers, Blessings, Hymns -- For the Family
Catholic Culture.org ^ | not available | Catholic Culture

Posted on 12/25/2007 7:01:59 PM PST by Salvation

The Twelve Days of Christmas are the days from Christmas until the beginning of Epiphany (January 6th; the 12 days count from December 25th until January 6th). On the updated calendar — since Ephiphany is celebrated on a Sunday — these days may be more or less. We have 20 days on the tree because this year the Christmas season extends until the feast of the Baptism of Christ and we have decided to include them all.

The origin of the Twelve Days is complicated, and is related to differences in calendars, church traditions, and ways to observe this holy day in various cultures. In the Western church, Epiphany is traditionally celebrated as the time the three Wise Men or Magi arrived to present gifts to the young Jesus. In some cultures Epiphany is observed as Three Kings Day, or simply the Day of the Kings. Even though December 25th is celebrated as Christmas in these cultures, Epiphany is often the day for giving gifts. In some places it is traditional to give Christmas gifts for each of the Twelve Days of Christmas.

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TOPICS: Catholic; History; Prayer; Theology
KEYWORDS: 12daysofchristmas; catholic; catholiclist; christmams; christmas
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For your information and use as a family. Enjoy all these days of the Christmas season!

It's just beginning today!

1 posted on 12/25/2007 7:02:01 PM PST by Salvation
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To: All
 

Catholic Culture invites you try out some of our suggested activities as you gather around the Christmas tree. We hope you will find some ideas that will enhance your family's celebration of this holy season.

O Christmas tree, how lovely God has made thee.


2 posted on 12/25/2007 7:03:26 PM PST by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: All
 

Blessings hold a privileged place in the Church among all other sacramentals as they lead "the faithful to praise God and prepare them for the principal effect of the sacraments." — Augustin Mayer, O.S.B. of the Congregation for Divine Worship

Sing praise to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and melodious song. With trumpets and the sound of the horn, sing joyfully before the King, the Lord.


3 posted on 12/25/2007 7:04:53 PM PST by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: All

Add your own ideas and things that you do with your family during the Christmas season.


4 posted on 12/25/2007 7:05:59 PM PST by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: nickcarraway; sandyeggo; Lady In Blue; NYer; ELS; Pyro7480; livius; Catholicguy; RobbyS; ...
Catholic Discussion Ping!

Please notify me via FReepmail if you would like to be added to or taken off the Catholic Discussion Ping List.

5 posted on 12/25/2007 7:07:06 PM PST by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: Salvation
Merry Christmas to everyone! Hope everybody's celebration so far was happy and full of blessings.
6 posted on 12/25/2007 7:44:22 PM PST by Ciexyz
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To: Ciexyz

Merry Christmas to you too. Lots of things to do with the children or the grandchildren here! Try some!


7 posted on 12/25/2007 7:46:09 PM PST by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: Salvation

Faith-sharing bump.


8 posted on 12/25/2007 7:51:44 PM PST by Ciexyz
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To: All
The 12 Days of Christmas and Christmastide: A Rich Catholic Tradition
9 posted on 12/25/2007 9:11:12 PM PST by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: kalee

ping


10 posted on 12/26/2007 1:11:42 AM PST by kalee
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To: Salvation; All

I have a 12 Days of Christmas Lapbook pdf file that I would be willing to share with anyone that is interested. Lapbooks, if your are unfamiliar, are a wonderful way to keep mini books of information gathered into one book. The kids can read and share them year after year. FReepmail if you’d like the file!


11 posted on 12/26/2007 5:34:18 AM PST by samiam1972 (I'm a mommy of 4 now!!)
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To: Salvation

Thanks


12 posted on 12/26/2007 9:30:17 AM PST by Jaded ("I have a mustard- seed; and I am not afraid to use it."- Joseph Ratzinger)
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To: samiam1972

That sounds great! Maybe some people here will be interested.


13 posted on 12/26/2007 9:42:19 AM PST by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: Jaded; kalee; samiam1972

Enjoy your Christmas season!


14 posted on 12/26/2007 9:43:08 AM PST by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: All

The purest of Virgins gave us our God, who was this day born of her, clothed in the flesh of a Babe, and she was found worthy to feed him at her Breast: let us all adore Christ, who came to save us.

Ye faithful people, let us all rejoice, for our Savior is born in our world: this Day there has been born the Son of the great Mother, and she yet a pure Virgin.

O Queen of the world, and Daughter of a kingly race! Christ has risen from thy womb, as a Bridegroom coming from the bride-chamber: He that rules the stars lies in a Crib. — Antiphon from the ancient Church of Gaul


15 posted on 12/26/2007 10:32:02 AM PST by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: All

December 26, Feast of St. Stephen

Saint Stephen is the first martyr of the Church, and is the patron of stonemasons, masons, bricklayers, deacons, headaches, and horses. His story comes from the Acts of the Apostles. He is usually pictured in deacon's vestments, holding the symbol of martyrdom, a palm branch. Sometimes he has a stone in his left hand, to indicate his death by stoning. He is depicted in many images wearing a wreath, which refers to the origin of his name, the Greek word Stephanos meaning "wreath."

"If you know what witness means, you understand why God brings St. Stephen, St. John, and the Holy Innocents to the crib in the cave as soon as Christ is born liturgically. To be a witness is to be a martyr. Holy Mother Church wishes us to realize that we were born in baptism to become Christ — He who was the world's outstanding Martyr." — Love Does Such Things, by Rev. M. Raymond, O.C.S.O.


16 posted on 12/26/2007 11:07:13 AM PST by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: Salvation

Celebration bump.


17 posted on 12/26/2007 10:56:00 PM PST by Ciexyz
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To: Ciexyz

Thanks for the bump!


18 posted on 12/27/2007 8:46:26 PM PST by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: All

December 27, Feast of Saint John

St. John was born in Bethsaida, and like his brother James, was a fisherman. He was called while mending his nets to follow Jesus. He became the beloved disciple of Jesus. He wrote the fourth Gospel, three Epistles and the Apocalypse. His passages on the pre-existence of the Word, who by His Incarnation became the light of the world and life of our souls, are among the finest of the New Testament.

He is the evangelist of the divinity of Christ and His fraternal love. With James, his brother and Simon Peter, he was one of the witnesses of the Transfiguration. At the Last Supper, he leans on the Master's breast. At the foot of the cross, Jesus entrusts His Mother to his care. John's pure life kept him very close to Jesus and Mary. In years to come John was exiled to the island of Patmos under Emperor Domitian, but lived to an old age. — From the Daily Roman Missal


19 posted on 12/27/2007 8:46:52 PM PST by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: Salvation
Bump for all those still celebrating the Season.

I picked up a carved wooden redbird from the discounted Christmas merchandise. I collect redbird carvings and ornaments.

20 posted on 12/27/2007 10:07:38 PM PST by Ciexyz
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