The 12 Days Of Christmas

Campaign to Protect Rural England’s Liz Hamilton looks at the origins and traditions of the 12 days of Christmas

The 12 days of Christmas originated at the Council of Tours in the year 567, when the Christian church declared that Christmastide – the period celebrating the birth of Jesus – should extend from December 25 to January 5, followed by Epiphany (Three Kings Day) on January 6. Two traditional celebrations fall into the period – New Year and Twelfth Night. New Year’s Day once surpassed Christmas Day as the time for giving presents and family feasting, a legacy perhaps of the Roman festival of Kalends, which began on January 1 and lasted several days. Kalends spread throughout the Roman empire and was marked by noisy merrymaking to drive away evil spirits and bring good luck, reflected in the more modern custom of ringing church bells to see in the new year. Feasting and gift giving were believed to ensure an abundance of food and wealth in the year ahead.