Backstory: The Twelve Days of Christmas

These days, the Christmas season is the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Way back when, it was the period beginning on Christmas Day, and included 12 days of merrymaking and mischief. The Twelve Days of Christmas aren't really part of our modern Christmas celebration — except for the song lyrics and the odd reference here and there. 

What are the twelve days of Christmas? And what happened to them? Are we missing out on anything by forgetting them? Well, if feasting, cross dressing, upending social hierarchy, and having a raucous good time sound at all interesting to you, then...yes. Yes we are!

Mentioned in this Episode

Why We Kiss Under the Mistletoe: Christmas Traditions Explained, by Michael Foley

Music in this Episode

• "Twelve Days of Christmas" — Inner Splendor, via Feels Like Christmas
• "Miracles" — Tom Parkin, via Mega Monkey Music
• "Contemplation" — Maarten Schellekens, via Free Music Archive
• "Careless Morning" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive
• "Always With Me, Always With You" — Daddy S Music, via Pixabay

Connect

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Book

Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Available in hardcover and audiobook. Find it wherever books are sold, like Amazon and Barnes & Noble.