Lynn Salsi: Author, Storyteller, Teacher, Historian, Speaker - Lynn's Blog

Tuesday

Jan062009

Twelve Days of Christmas

Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 11:17PM |

On the twelfth day of Christmas the Christmas tree comes down and the wreath comes off the door. It is not surprising that most people in my neighborhood have already pitched their tree to the curb and returned their wreaths and Santa flags to the attic. But the observation of old traditions is a usual part of my nature.

Like most southern Americans, I grew up attending Christmas programs, baking dozens of cookies, and sneaking down to see what Santa brought on Christmas Day. It was my mother, Margaret, who had vague ideas about Old Christmas. It seemed to her that her relatives on the farm observed the old tradition. She was a city girl, but enjoyed telling her memories of visiting the country and having a father who was born in 1860 and recalled stories from the Civil War.

As I grew older, it became a good idea to think of the Christmas story as a progression. I was lucky that most of the churches I've attended put some emphasis on Epiphany marking the arrival of the Magi. At least that straightened out some of my childhood thinking about how everyone, including the Wise Men and the little drummer boy, could have found Jesus' manger all on Christmas Day. Surely, Mary would have been very tired having so many visitors on one day. It was a relief to know the Magi didn't arrive until the 6th of January. Yet, thinking about it, that was a long time for Mary, Joseph, and Jesus to stay in the same old stable.

For several years January 6th was the best time to have a party. There was no scheduling conflict with the school play, the neighborhood drop-in, or the community carol sing. Anyway, it kept the wonder of Christmas alive for a few additional days and gave me the excuse not to take down the Christmas tree. I had the best intentions to revive my old holiday party this year, but I didn't make the deadline to get the house clean, the baking done, the gingerbread house together, a few rooms painted, and attend the many other events and meetings on my calendar. Alas, the party has been moved to January 6, 2009.

So, the twelfth day and Old Christmas traditions call for taking down all the Christmas decorations. The ceramic Santas have to be taken from the mantle and the glass ornaments have to be wrapped one-by-one and returned to their plastic box. I'm a bit miffed that I didn't get it all done today. Never mind that I had no plans to celebrate with 12 lords a-leaping. That was until my husband told me about a family in his old neighborhood in Pennsylvania. They always decorated inside and outside with beautiful, maybe somewhat exotic lights and decorations, and kept them up up past New Year's Day. They let the community know they celebrated Russian Christmas, a holiday I never heard of. That is, until I looked it up and found that Russian Christmas is celebrated on January 7th.

That fits right into my schedule. If anyone asks why my tree is still up, I'm telling them how I celebrate Russian Christmas. The old superstitions don't allow the removal of Christmas decorations until after the celebration. Well, the celebration will not be much, but my family will express some gratitude when I get all the things put away. I'd better hurry, because tomorrow is Russian Christmas, the time when the families exchanged gifts and had a beautiful feast. I'm figuring that the English twelve days of Christmas began on the eve of the 25th and the Russian days of Christmas began the eve of the 26th of December.

Either way, we can all officially say good bye to another holiday season and look toward Valentine, St. Patrick's Day and a few Monday holidays as we forge ahead to spring.

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Reader Comments (5)

I also celebrate in January. I think so many people have forgotten the true meaning of Christmas. This is why I make it a point to give gifts in January often accompanied with reminders of how people in different cultures celebrate. My friends tell me they appreciate this because they're often consumed with buying perfect gifts, and making the perfect dinner that they forget what it's all about. I like the fact that you keep everything around and have a gathering on an unofficial American holiday. It shows me that you have a greater appreciation for your family gathering other than to exchange gifts. Rock on Mrs. Salsi :-)

January 27, 2009 |

Samaiyah G.

As a young child I can remember waking up and smelling the wonderful scent of pine trees. Although Christmas is not about what you get, it was a beautiful sight to see the smile on my parents face as me and my sisters opened our presents. My family and I tend to leave our tree up a little longer than others so you could say that we as well celebrate the Russian Christmas. The best part about Christmas is the big dinner that we have with our family. We all get together and take time off from our busy schedules to spend time with the ones we love the most.

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I agree completely with your Christmas philosophy. Growing up in Florida I was exposed to many different interpretations of Christmas so I was used to seeing just about everything. But I think you are right, it's not day that matters but more the reason for season. If you celebrate Christmas or any other holiday on the appointed day, but with the wrong motives then doesn't that kill the reason for having a holiday in the first place. One of my favorite quotes is "If it's not broke, don't fix it". I think I can apply that quote here.

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Twelve Days of Christmas

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