The early traditions of the church held that the days before Christmas were fast days.  A time  preparing one’s heart for the celebration of Jesus birth.  The true Christmas season ran from Feast Celebrating Jesus birth to the Epiphany. The ancient church actually established the Feast of Epiphany prior to the settling on the date of Jesus birth. There are 12 days from the first feast day Christmas to the eve of Epiphany.

Wreaths and other Christmas decorations go up near the 25th of December in the western branch of the church and remain up until the eve of epiphany.

Specific traditions for the Twelve Days of Christmas vary as you move around the world.

In our modern hustle bustle society,  I think a fast, of a negative type, often occurs during the days from December 1 until Christmas day. This is the type of fast we should never experience and leaves us weakened. Society places intense pressure on people during the pre-Christmas time for parties and shopping and rushing to every play or school performance.  We often go great lengths of time without any quite time with God.  One shame in our modern lives is that many reach Christmas Day drained of any closeness to Christ.

The twelve days provides a quieter time to contemplate the bible story of the first days of our Lord’s life on earth.  We need to stop and refuel for the year a head.

Journal Exercise

Do you feel drained and distant from God after Christmas or do you feel closer.  Why?

In response to the Shepherds arrival at the nativity and their repeating what the angels said, we have the following bible verse.

^{Luke 2:19} But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

What part of the story of Jesus Birth do you hold in a special place in your heart?  Is it the angels announcing Jesus birth to Shepherds in the Fields?  Is it the shepherds rushing to Bethlehem to see the baby?  Maybe it is the wise men coming to place gifts before Jesus?

Write your thoughts regarding your favorite part of the nativity story and why.