[SandiC.]

"The Twelve Days of Christmas is probably the most misunderstood part of the church year among Christians who are not part of liturgical church traditions. Contrary to much popular belief, these are not the twelve days before Christmas, but in most of the Western Church are the twelve days from Christmas until the beginning of Epiphany (January 6th; the 12 days count from December 25th until January 5th). In some traditions, the first day of Christmas begins on the evening of December 25th with the following day considered the First Day of Christmas (December 26th). In these traditions, the twelve days begin December 26 and include Epiphany on January 6."

Coming from a liturgical church background, this is a part of my tradition in the celebration of Christmas. When the boys were young, there was a gift each of the 12 days and our big holiday feast was January 6, the feast of the Epiphany. Well, the boys are grown and we no longer do the daily gifts (mostly token gifts and, honestly, most often purchased at the after Christmas sales. LOL). I sort of quietly celebrate it by myself now, usually, just a little extra time in the morning for reflection on the meaning of gifting during the Christmas season.

This year, I think I may make a little mini LO to celebrate. And I'll have special dinner on Jan 6. Are any of you out there interested in somehow sharing this season with me? Maybe exchange mini LOs or something?

[elibar]

This is the time I've been looking forward too! All the preparations are over and I want to celebrate and enjoy this time with my Lord and my family. We don't usually celebrate with gifts - just with activities together and generosity with time and treats for each other.

I'm in! I was just going to start working on something now.

[SandiC.]

Great Elisha. I'm starting a little 4x6 mini album for this.

[Sarah in VA]

I don't know if I can participate with mini layouts, but I do love the idea, and yes, I am always mindful of the Twelve days of Christmas and their meanings. I'll certainly be looking forward to seeing your layouts - maybe you can inspire me!

[SandiC.]

Ok, here's my first one for today St Stephen.

[elibar]

Thanks for the encouragement, Sandi - I'd been thinking about doing this! I celebrate a little differently, as Christmas Day is the 1st day, today is the 2nd. My devotion also includes St. Stephen today, though.

Day 1 - Christmas Day
The Second Day of Christmas - December 26th -The Feast of St. Stephen

[Bitsnpieces]

Ladies these are absolutely wonderful

[BarbaraC1977]

Sandi, I share that liturgical tradition sense. I've actually toyed with the idea of making a "liturgical year" set of layouts as an SG 52 participation, beginning with the first week of Advent.

It is sometimes confusing for me to hear about 12 days of Christmas earlier than Dec 25; for us, Christmas begins on Dec 25 and goes to Epiphany. Our children had some teachers who grew up in Central and South America; they and their families don't exchange gifts until Epiphany, in remembrance of the Three Kings bringing gifts to the Christ child.

Interesting to ponder how to commemorate.

[Sarah in VA]

I remember as a child how fun it was to watch the Three Wise Men make their way around the room during the Twelve Days of Christmas, not appearing with the other figures until Epiphany! And to me, this is the 2nd day of Christmas too.

Sandi and Elisha, your layouts are inspiring!

[elibar]

If you’d like to follow along with me in my devotions/celebrations/commemorations, I’ll post what I’m doing!

Today my devotion centered around St. Stephen. “Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit” (Acts 6:5), was one of the seven men appointed to assist in the daily distribution of food to the poor, and the first recorded martyr (he was stoned). St. Wenceslas of Bohemia is also associated with this day (his charity to the poor is remembered in the carol “Good King Wenceslas.”
My devotion today encourages me to take time today to perform an act of charity. It also says that this might be a good day to give blood, remembering the sacrifice of St. Stephen as well as our Lord’s own sacrifice, if a donation center is open.

Today I read Acts chapters 6 and 7. We read the lyrics of “Good King Wenceslas” and we sang the carol, paying attention to the words (I also scrapped a stanza – see link above). We make out our year-end charitable donations today. This evening, we will head over to DH’s brother’s house to enjoy family time together.

Tomorrow, Dec. 27, we commemorate St. John, apostle and evangelist.