Alternative to 12 Days of Christmas...

[PattieChef21]

I wasn't sure what to search for, or how to word this.

I saw a few posts about the 12 Days of Christmas contest that people did, well obviously it's past time for that. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas for contests in January. Like a New Year contest or something?

 

[NooraK]

I don't know about contests, but I was actually thinking about the Golden Week concept. I'll see if I can dig up the post.

And I just have to say, it bugs me just a little that all these stores are doing 12 days of Christmas before Christmas, as the 12 days of Christmas are supposed to be from Christmas to Epiphany. But I'm just weird like that

 

[NooraK]

Here: http://www.chefsuccess.com/f2/post-christmas-sales-bookings-57620/#post698087

 

[ChefBeckyD]

And I just have to say, it bugs me just a little that all these stores are doing 12 days of Christmas before Christmas, as the 12 days of Christmas are supposed to be from Christmas to Epiphany. But I'm just weird like that

It's all for the Marketing. No need to be bothered with actual Holiday dates, you know...(sarcasm oozing...)

 

[raebates]

I'm weird that way, too, Noora. I've been known to correct people when they start saying, "Oh, we're in the 12 days of Christmas now." They seem genuinely shocked to find out that the 12 days start December 25.

 

[vanscootin]

I'm sorry, but I really thought the 12 Days of Christmas was just a song. Can some one explain what it really is?

TIA

 

[magentablue]

It was a code for repressed people to keep their religion alive from the dates between Christmas and the night before Epiphany.

 

[PattieChef21]

Thanks for the upload

and for the lesson. I aslo thought it was just a song...hmm, learn something new everyday!

thanks!

 

[NooraK]

Twelve Days of Christmas - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[raebates]

I grew up in an Episcopal church. We weren't supposed to put up a Christmas tree or sing Christmas carols until Christmas Eve because Christmas didn't start on the liturgical calendar until then. It ended the night before the celebration of Epiphany on January 6. So, the Christmas season lasted for 12 days. Legend has is that The 12 Days of Christmas was sung with various "gifts" depending on where you lived until the 16th century. At that point it became illegal (or at least very frowned upon) to teach your children the tenants of your faith at home. During the next couple of centuries there were periods of time when you were in trouble if you were Catholic. Other times it was Protestants who were oppressed. In the 16th century the song became standardized as a secret way to teach children the basics of the faith. The partridge in a pear tree represented the Christ Child who was destined to die on the tree (cross). The two turtle doves represented the Old and New Testaments. The four calling birds were the four distinct voices of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The ten lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments. The story is apocryphal, but I enjoy it. It makes for lively conversation this time of year.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

I grew up in an Episcopal church. We weren't supposed to put up a Christmas tree or sing Christmas carols until Christmas Eve because Christmas didn't start on the liturgical calendar until then. It ended the night before the celebration of Epiphany on January 6. So, the Christmas season lasted for 12 days.

Legend has is that The 12 Days of Christmas was sung with various "gifts" depending on where you lived until the 16th century. At that point it became illegal (or at least very frowned upon) to teach your children the tenants of your faith at home. During the next couple of centuries there were periods of time when you were in trouble if you were Catholic. Other times it was Protestants who were oppressed. In the 16th century the song became standardized as a secret way to teach children the basics of the faith. The partridge in a pear tree represented the Christ Child who was destined to die on the tree (cross). The two turtle doves represented the Old and New Testaments. The four calling birds were the four distinct voices of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The ten lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments.

The story is apocryphal, but I enjoy it. It makes for lively conversation this time of year.

My little guy loves that story. He also loves the song...we've been hearing it non-stop for the last week or so. He sings it while he's reading, he sings it while he's playing, he sings it while he's eating. He is now making up his own "12 Days"...and some of them are decidedly from a 6 yr. old boys sense of humor. I'm pretty sure that none of the gift options in the 16th century included dog poopies.

 

[loreo]

I'm pretty sure that none of the gift options in the 16th century included dog poopies

lol! Probably not but most of us with boys have heard many renditions of that line!

 

[raebates]

I don't know. They had dogs, and those dogs poopied. LOL!