12 Days of Christmas

For many centuries the Twelve days of Christmas stood at the heart of the European Christmas season. The Twelve Days of Christmas is also referred to as 'Christmastide'. The Twelve days begin on December 25 and last until the Twelfth Night (January 5th).

As Christianity became firmly rooted in Europe, political leaders declared the Twelve Days to be legal holidays. Near the end of the ninth century King Alfred the Great of England (849-899) mandated that his subjects observe the Twelve days of Christmas, outlawing all legal proceedings, work and fighting during that time. Norway established the Christian observance of the festival in the middle of the 10th century.

The most festive meal was often served on the Twelfth Night or on Epiphany (6 January).

There were numerous superstitions around the Twelve Days of Christmas. One was that Christmas decorations were to only be displayed over the twelve days and that bad luck would come to those who left them up longer. Another view was that Christmas decorations could be left up as long as they were removed by Candlemas (2 February)...

Blue Christmas

One reference to 'Blue Christmas' is that for some Christmas is a lonely, depressing, "blue" time. Christmas can be 'blue' for those people who are grieving the loss of loved ones or other losses or for those who are all alone when others are partying and gathering with family members. Some pastors concerned for those who find it difficult to "celebrate" at this time of year have developed various "Blue Christmas Services" for these people.

The constant refrain on radio and television, in shopping malls and churches, about the happiness of the Christmas Season, about getting together with family and friends, reminds many people of what they have lost or have never had. The anguish of broken relationships, the insecurity of unemployment, the weariness of ill health, the pain of isolation, the gut wrenching loss of a child, the loneliness of no longer having a beloved spouse to share each day, the loss of a dear family pet - all these can contribute to a feeling of being alone, of 'feeling blue' in the midst of the society around us which seems bent on 'being happy' and 'celebrating'. It's at such times that we need to make the space and take the time to acknowledge our sadness and concern. The churches offer the 'Blue Christmas' service to help these people and offer them some empathy.

Then there is the song 'Blue Christmas'...
I'll have a Blue Christmas without you
I'll be so blue thinking about you
Decorations of red on a green Christmas tree
Won't mean a thing if you're not here with me.

I'll have a Blue Christmas that's certain
And when that blue heartache starts hurtin'
You'll be doin' all right, with your Christmas of white
But I'll have a blue, blue Christmas.