What are the 12 days of Christmas in the Bible?
12 days of Christmas decorations will not be commonly something those decorating for Christmas will look for. While the twelve days of Christmas carol is famous for Christmas spirit, the days’ meaning is not generally known. I must confess that it was only in my 30s when I learned the special meaning. Like many, I had wrongly assumed the holiday classic was referring to a short countdown to Christmas day. I finally learned it’s Christmas to 6th January, celebrating the long trek of the wise men coming to see Jesus. Each different day is an opportunity to add a bit of cheer and extend the joy of the season.
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What are the 12 days of Christmas in order?
Each different verse of the classic Christmas song has references to things that will inspire your decorations. Despite it being a beloved song though, the claim that each element has sacred meaning is debatable. Snopes.com decided to target the myth of the entire set of gifts being spiritual in nature, only being random objects. That being said, they are as follows in the song: Day 1: A partridge in a pear tree; Day 2: Two turtle doves; Day 3: Three French hens; Day 4: Four calling birds; Day 5: Five golden rings; Day 6: Six geese a-laying; Day 7: Seven swans a-swimming; Day 8: Eight maids a-milking; Day 9: Nine ladies dancing; Day 10: 10 lords a-leaping; Day 11: 11 pipers piping; and Day 12: 12 drummers drumming.
What are the 12 days of Christmas ornaments?
Being a lesser known Christian tradition, Christmas decorations for this period take more imagination but that is a good thing. Your holiday decor can be large and boisterous or smaller handmade ornaments as long as they have personal meaning. Patience Brewster has hand-painted ornament options for solemnly but conservatively putting a new ornament on a real Christmas tree. From the first day of Christmas to the twelfth night, put new products on your tree each day ceremonially. This is how to easily put a feeling of unique touches on your decorating without the stress of impractical applications. While it would be ideal to maintain the excitement of Christmas Eve by giving each days gift, it’s not possible. Opting instead for 12 days of Christmas decorations is an alternative if you have a big attachment to the song.
Hallmark Alternative
Alternatively, for a more polished decoration, hallmark ornament collectors have an option. A hallmark keepsake ornament instead of the twelve days of Christmas series is a wonderful compromise. While I haven’t found all 12 days collection of ornaments, there are forms for at least some of the days sold individually. Definitely comment pictures though if you can find all 12 days of Christmas hallmark ornaments.
How do you do the 12 days of Christmas for a family?
Properly observing and celebrating Christmas day will be a good start to the 12 days of Christmas decorations. The Church of England website outlines different feasts you could have with loved ones during most of these days.
This liturgical option may be appealing to some while others may require loose suggestions to create their own traditions. Simpler options include stretching out the gift giving and having get togethers. A traditional get together in Moravian culture is to spend time going to visit others’ houses to see their nativities. In their culture, elaborate scenes that highlight more than just the birth are called Putz’s and is exciting to see the households set up.
Party Decorations
On the 5th January, an Epiphany Eve party is a somewhat unique party theme. As this time is not an officially recognized holiday, the party may happen on a business day but is still an opportunity to have a good time. In the days of christmas – day 12 would be as big as a new year party, a time to invite others to celebrate just as the wise men did. Napkin rings from Pottery Barn are available to link in with the song and this is a great time to use your gift card you got on Christmas day! You know you got one from somewhere you can buy relevant things from. See my post as well on ideas to decorate your chairs in a Christmas theme
In the end it’s all about celebrating who should be your true love, Jesus.
What a great post. I have several hallmark ornament, and qe add a new one every year, but my favorite are the handmade ones my children made.
We phase out old bulk ornaments each year as we add new ornaments, especially my kids’ handmade ones. Thanks for visiting!
I was today years old when I learned the connection between the song and the bible. OOps!!! Thank you for the enlightenment! haha!
I was in my mid 30s when I found out the spiritual connection myself. I happened across it when I was looking for novel advent calendars and ended up getting a 12 days of cheese calendar from a local Dutch farm. In the box of cheeses was a small reference to the faith based nature of things so I did some reading up on it and here we are!
Wow, I had no idea about the connection behind the 12 days of Christmas and the Bible. Also, it’s interesting that it’s actually the 12 days after Christmas. So interesting! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Yup, I 100% thought it was a shortened advent or something akin to Hannukah so I was very intrigued when I first learned the basic meaning and have been exploring it a lot more. Next year I’m finally going to be off Christmas so we plan on observing the 12 days.
Wow I didn’t know that there was any connection with the Bible! I love how you look I to the history of so many traditions!
Haha, my wife teases me about how much I sometimes sound like our 4 year olds, always asking ‘why?’. I always want to understand the meaning behind out words and actions to be more purposeful in life.
I had no idea there was a spiritual connection! Wow! So interesting
I was in my mid 30s when I found out the spiritual connection myself. I happened across it when I was looking for novel advent calendars and ended up getting a 12 days of cheese calendar from a local Dutch farm. In the box of cheeses was a small reference to the faith based nature of things so I did some reading up on it and here we are!
I love the Hallmark idea! I used to work for Hallmark and really fell in love with their ornaments. So, cute. And such a fun tradition.
They really are deserving of their good reputation. They have such annoyingly enticing holiday movies and all sorts of things.
Love how you always throw in a bit of history and personal meaning around your posts. Always providing great ideas and resources!
Thank you Charlene, I love having more information to make my decorating so much more meaningful!