December 26, 2021, 21:03
shufitzWhen is Christmas?
We think of Christmas as December 25. But we also sing, "On the first day of Christmas", "On the second day of Christmas", etc.
That raises two obvious questions. Is Christmas one day, or twelve? And which day(s)?
December 26, 2021, 21:46
BobHale25th Dec to 5th Jan. There is some Biblical reason but not being religious I can't remember what it is.
December 27, 2021, 07:28
Geoff https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...ve_Days_of_ChristmasThe word is a foreshortened "Chisties Mass" Catholic mythology mixed in with other mythologies.
Then we've got this:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelfth_NightDecember 28, 2021, 19:10
KallehThen of course there is the
Advent Calendar.
January 04, 2022, 05:30
zmježdFor the same reason that older folks still use the term Yuletide for the Xmas season, I suppose. So, 24 December is assumed to be the nativity of Jesus, the 1 January marks the circumcision of Jesus (the
bris, or
brit milah, eight days after birth), and 6 January (the twelfth day) is the Epiphany (showing Jesus off to the Persian magi). Some Christians celebrate Xmas on 24 December, some on 25th December, and yet others on 6 January. The holiday was probably chosen to co-opt the Saturnalia festival of Pagan Rome.
January 04, 2022, 06:07
GeoffI do suspect the Saturnalia was a lot more fun.
January 04, 2022, 18:53
KallehYou are right, zmj, that some call it
Yuletide . In looking it up, it seems to be more of a pagan term. That connotation has changed, hasn't it?
January 05, 2022, 08:42
zmježdThe English word, tide is cognate with German Zeit "time". It narrowed in meaning.
Yeah,
yule[ is a Germanic word for the time around Winter Solstice.