BETWEEN Christmas Day and Epiphany on Jan. 6 compose the well-known "Twelve Days of Christmas." As Christians believe, these dozen days refer to the days said to have taken the three kings to find their way to Bethlehem, guided by the star where the Infant Jesus was, and bringing Infant Jesus gifts. On that twelfth day, when the three kings reached the Infant Jesus lying in a manger, they experienced their Epiphany — they recognized Jesus as the son of God. Many Christian countries at this time of the year also sing a popular song — "The Twelve Days of Christmas." [THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS (catholictradition.org)]
The 12 days of Christmas celebration. These 12 days are likewise known as Christmastide, a "festive religious season that celebrates the Nativity of Jesus. In certain Eastern Orthodox denominations, the twelve days celebrate the time from Christ's birth to his baptism. As such, Christmastide is a festival season celebrating a series of religious feast days. Besides church duties, most people involve themselves with a constant stream of entertaining and merrymaking!" "This specific period was likely part of the early church's effort to adapt pre-Christian celebrations that helped the ancient Europeans get through the long winter nights. With Christmas as the first day, each of the 12 days celebrates a different saint, from St. John the Apostle on Dec. 27 to the Virgin Mary on Jan. 1.
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