Twelve Days of Christmas

Trafitionally the 12 days of Christmas starts on December 26th.

December 26th has a few different titles. Boxing day, St Stephen’s Day, Lá an Dreoilín or Wren day,and Family Day.

In many parts of what used to be the British Empire the term Boxing day derives from the charity collection taken up in boxes on Christmas Day. The boxes were opened the next day and became known as boxing Day.

In many Catholic countries it is called St. Stephen’s Day in memory of the first christian martyr. However in the Coptic Church it is known as Abadiu of Antioch Day while the Eastern Orthodox church remeber St. James the Just.

In many parts of Ireland it is known as the Wren Day or Lá an Dreoilín which dates back to pre-christian times. The wren was said to be lucky so it was hunted and then the feathers were then distributed. Now the wren is represented by a straw bird and there is singing and dancing and money is collected for various charities. No harm comes to any birds.

The Wren is known as the King of birds because when the contest was held to see which bird could fly the highest, the wren tucked itself under the wings of an eagle. When the eagle soared the wren came out and flew higher

In the Philipinnes December 25th is known as Family day.

Whatever way you may be celebrating December 26th I hope you enjoy it. I will be curling up with a good book and a cuppa.