Genesis 49:28 All these are the twelve tribes of Israel: and this is it that their father spake unto them, and blessed them; every one according to his blessing he blessed them.

If there is nothing in the bible about Christmas’ celebrations then obviously there is nothing about the twelve days of Christmas. Here again our tradition is formed in song, “The Twelve Days of Christmas”, musical arrangement by Frederic Austin 1909 using a 1780 French chant that provided lyrics only.

Here again, I did not know this without looking it up. These traditions get passed down thru the years with such strong memories with total absence of origin and meaning. Twelfth night is January 5^th. Why is that?

“Clearly there was great uncertainty, but also a considerable amount of interest, in dating Jesus’ birth in the late second century. By the fourth century, however, we find references to two dates that were widely recognized—and now also celebrated—as Jesus’ birthday: December 25 in the western Roman Empire and January 6 in the East (especially in Egypt and Asia Minor). The modern Armenian church continues to celebrate Christmas on January 6; for most Christians, however, December 25 would prevail, while January 6 eventually came to be known as the Feast of the Epiphany, commemorating the arrival of the magi in Bethlehem. The period between became the holiday season later known as the 12 days of Christmas.” (quote from biblicalarchaeology.org)

Here once again, in the connected historical context, we find a secular rendering of a biblical time period. We knew that the magi were not present at the birth of Christ but nothing within the bible tells us exactly how many days there were between those events. Twelve? Maybe. Is it important? Probably not but throughout history traditions get formed and passed down because someone impressed on the next generation that this is how we celebrate this day.

What impressions do you make?

Leviticus 23:32 It shall be unto you a sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath.

We are not celebrating the Sabbath here but there are no words in the bible telling us to celebrate the birth of Christ. I include this verse for one simple reason that is attended to in this verse; if you are going to take a day to call holy, then there should also be an affliction of the soul. Without it that day should not be considered Holy. If we can agree on that, then we can press on.

Nothing about Christmas traditions are commandments related to any of the sacraments of the church, they are not scriptural. Since tradition has seen fit to call this a holy day, then let us attend to the affliction of the soul.  In order to understand how this applies perhaps the lyrics to a silly old song might demonstrate some practical evidence.

“Has your shewing gum lost its flavour on the bedpost over night?” Lonnie Donegan – 1959

I attended a small church back home. There weren’t enough children to put on “the pagent”. You know, the one where the kids dress up like angels and shepherds, wise men, Joseph and Mary. It wasn’t part of my personal experience. I never got that memory installed into my soul, it has no attachment. (hint bedpost) I know that sounds like a bad pun but in many ways that is exactly how traditions are formed in the minds of young people and last for years for many people.

If we attach ourselves to different churches over the years the traditions of celebration might not be those of your youth. “We don’t” is found in church traditions just as much as “we do” is expressed. If you rely on your church to express your afflicted soul in Christmas tradition, then I would ask you to reexamine your relationship with the Lord and ask yourself exactly what do you think you are doing.

My home Christmas was a secular as it gets. There was nothing Christ like about it. Over the years it stopped being about me. Then it stopped being about the kids. Now it is all about the grandkids. My children are now the parents and married to people with their own set of traditions, or not. It is not my call any more when the stage is set for this holy day. The one thing I have to attend to in this is not to allow my afflicted soul to insist on anything in favor of providing a loving and peaceful experience for everyone.