Celebrate All 12 Days of Christmas, Dec. 25-Jan. 5, 2013

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By Scott P. Richert

"Epiphany" (1475-80) By Hieronymus Bosh

We can easily celebrate the Twelve Days of Christmas, which end with the Solemnity of the Epiphany, on January 6. In an important way, Epiphany completes the Christmas feast, because it is the day that we celebrate the fact that Christ came to bring salvation to the Gentiles as well as to the Jews. In some countries, it is customary to give small gifts throughout the twelve days of Christmas. In our family, because we're usually visiting our relatives in another state on Christmas Day, our children open one small gift on each day of Christmas, and then, having returned home, we go to Mass on Epiphany, and open all of our presents that night (after a special dinner). Of course, we keep the Christmas tree up the whole time, play Christmas music, and continue to wish friends and family a Merry Christmas. It's all a wonderful way to draw the joy of Christmas into the New Year--and to draw our children more fully into the beauties of the Catholic Faith. [link]

Dates for 12 Days of Christmas? Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012 through Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013.