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I really love the days that follow Christmas day (particularly the first 6 or so when we’re still on vacation and life has taken a pause). There is a lot of hustle and bustle in those last days of Advent, but the early days of Christmas offer us reprieve. Opportunities for rest and unhurried projects, jammie days and fellowship with friends and family. But as a culture, we easily miss these days of rest. Knowing that our busy schedules will resume after the first of the year, we’re tempted to rush back to the usual.

There’s a common misconception that the 12 days of Christmas are the days approaching and end on Christmas Day, but that is not so. The 12 Days of Christmas are to be celebrated from Christmas Day, December 25^th to the day before the Epiphany, January 6^th.

During the 16^th Century, the Religious Wars brought persecution for Catholics. Many embraced their faith quietly in their homes and catechesis had to be uniquely disguised for the life the of the church in order to pass on the truth to the next generation. The song, The 12 Days of Christmas, was used to teach theological truths to catechize children and keep the flame of faith burning during a dark time of Church History.

When we have prudently celebrated Advent, with a sense of waiting and preparation, the joy of celebrating Christmas into the New Year can bear much fruit, particularly in the way we catechize our children and keep Christ the center of our homes.

Try these ways of Celebrating the Twelve days of Christmas in your homes.

1^st Day: Jesus Christ

A Partridge in a Pear tree represents Jesus Christ and the cross on which He sacrificed himself for our salvation.

Celebrate the first day of Christmas with a birthday cake for the baby Jesus or placing the baby in your nativity scene.

2^nd Day: The Old and New Testaments

Two turtle doves represent the Old and New Testaments and the reality that the Old is fulfilled in the New with Christ’s incarnation.

Sing Christmas Carols with your family or go Christmas Caroling around your neighborhood to represent sharing the good news of Salvation History with those in your community.

3^rd Day: Three Theological Virtues

Three French Hens represents the three theological virtues: Faith, Hope and Love.

Write out your New Years Resolutions for making habits in the practice of Faith, Hope and Love to guide and direct you through the new year.

4^th Day: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John

Four Calling Birds symbolize the four Gospel writers, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Do a craft or color a Gospel Coloring Sheet of the four symbols of the Evangelists. Man (Matthew), Mark (Eagle), Luke (Ox), and John (Lion).

5^th Day: The Pentateuch

Five Gold Rings recall the first 5 books of the bible, called the Pentateuch or the Torah.

Read the story of Creation as a family to recall the long story of Salvation History, beginning with Adam and Eve and through all generations until now.

6^th Day: Six Days of Creation

Six Geese a-laying represent the Six Days of Creation.

Create something as a family. Paint, do a craft, bake, or cook together. Recall the good work God did when he created the Heavens and the earth.

7^th Day: Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Seven Swans a Swimming recalls the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety and Fear of the Lord.

Eat a candlelit dinner and pray for the fire of the Holy Spirit to bless your family in the New Year.

8^th Day: Eight Beatitudes

Eight maids a milking represents the Eight Beatitudes given to us by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount.

Have each member of the family choose a beatitude to live that day. Find an opportunity to be a peacemaker, show mercy or be patient to those in your family. Comfort someone who is mourning. Go to Mass for the Solemnity of Mary.

9^th Day: Nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit

Nine Ladies dancing symbolizes the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.

Make a fruit salad and discuss the Nine fruits of the Holy Spirit. Observe the beauty and color when all these fruits come together and think of how beautiful are souls are when the Holy Spirit is present in our lives.

10^th Day: The Ten Commandments

Ten Lords a-leaping represent the Ten Commandments, given to us by Moses.

Do a Ten Commandment coloring page or craft to recall the ten commandments.

11^th Day: Eleven Faithful Apostles

Eleven Pipers Piping symbolize the Eleven Faithful apostles.

Go to daily mass as a family, recall how Jesus revealed himself to the apostles at the last supper in the breaking of the bread.

12^th Day: Twelve Points of the Apostles Creed

Twelve Drummers Drumming represents the 12 points of the Apostles Creed.

Say the Apostle’s Creed as a family. Make a King Cake to celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany the next day and pray that God will help you seek truth as the Magi did.

Make this year’s 12 days of Christmas meaningful as you go into the New Year!