One of the Jacquie larson Christmas ecards I sent out was entitled “The 12 Days of Christmas.” I was reminded that Christmas, like Easter, is a liturgical season unto itself. Each Day the Liturgy of the Hours gives readings and psalms appropriate for solemnities. And this goes on until the Three Kings come, bearing their gifts on Epiphany. Why 12 days? I can only guess that 12 was a very special number at that time 2122 years ago. The 12 tribes of Israel, the 12 Apostles, 12 = 4 x 3 (and 4 and 3 were special numbers then to the Jews). I like the 12 day Liturgical Season because I can send cards and gifts late and still say “It’s still Christmas, don’t carp!” (The other recourse to excuse tardiness would be to say I follow the Julian, rather than the Gregorian calendar.)
You can read all about the song “The 12 Days of Christmas,” here. Although some claim that it was a secret catechism for persecuted Catholics in Elizabethan times, that is unlikely. For one thing, a version we know of the song was first published in 1780. Also, Anglican and Roman Catholic theology did not differ that much (except for the supremacy of the Pope) for a Catechism to be coded.
At any rate, enjoy the animation..something we won’t see in the current wokeness era.
Thanks, Dr. Kurland! Very interesting!
We are always the last house on the block to turn off the Christmas light display, on Jan. 7, weather permitting. And our parish leaves their manger scene up until Feb. 2.
Our mission priest celebrates Candlemas/Candelaria on the 2nd with a blessing of candles and a procession around the church. The decorations are packed away on the 3rd.
Professor, Glad to see that British Jacquie Lawson is still in business. Some of the e-card
animation with music are beautiful.
CAM-yes, I still use Jacquie Lawson for nearly all my e-greetings. And their Advent calendar, which is really just a December calendar, is always worth getting, IMO. Fun, and nostalgia-inducing.