So often, after Christmas Day is over, all the stories and accompanying songs that fit best after Christmas are forgotten until next year. Perhaps between now and the end of the Christmas season on January 6 we can remember some of the related customs and stories. Today is the second of the "Twelve Days of Christmas" mentioned in the popular son.
Things to do
- Sing a song... (Can you find other words to this song?)
The 12 Days of Christmas - Traditional English
On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me
A partridge in a pear tree.
On the second day of Christmas my true love sent to me
Two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the third day of Christmas my true love sent to me
Three french hens, two turtle doves …
On the fourth day of Christmas my true love sent to me
Four calling birds, three french hens …
On the fifth day of Christmas my true love sent to me
Five golden rings, four calling birds …
On the sixth day of Christmas my true love sent to me
Six geese a-laying, five golden rings …
On the seventh day of Christmas my true love sent to me
Seven swans a-swimming, six geese a-laying …
On the eighth day of Christmas my true love sent to me
Eight maids a-milking, seven swans a-swimming …
On the ninth day of Christmas my true love sent to me
Nine pipers piping, eight maids a-milking …
On the 10th day of Christmas my true love sent to me
Ten drummers drumming, nine pipers piping …
On the 11th day of Christmas my true love sent to me
11 ladies dancing, ten drummers drumming …
On the 12th day of Christmas my true love sent to me
12 lords a-leaping, 11 ladies dancing ...
- Read a story...
Which Day?
No-one actually knows what day of the year is the birthday of Christ. There were many arguments about the date until in the 3rd century Pope Julius I ruled that we would celebrate Christ's birth on 25th December. At the time this seemed appropriate as winter was already a time of feasting and celebration for many religions and cultures and Christmas (or Christ's Mass) was another celebration. Even now, intertwined with Christmas are remnants of the festivals of pre-Christian times. The ancient Jewish celebration of Hanukkah with its candles, feasting and gifts, the pagan fertility rites associated with straw and corn (now a humble manger of straw) and the belief during the Dark Ages that holly gives protection from witches; are all now woven into our Christmas traditions.
- Have some maths fun with Pascal's Triangular Christmas
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