The Season of Christmas
The Christmas season lasts twelve days, from the vigil of Christmas Eve until Jan. 5, the day before the Epiphany, also known as Twelfth Night. Instead of packing away the Christmas decorations, take some time, over the full season, to savor the wonder of the Incarnation and to celebrate!
Here are some simple ideas for celebrating all of Christmastide:
- Leave your decorations up until the Epiphany (January 6)
- Move the Magi (3 Kings / Wise Men) from your nativity scenes around the house every day until they reach Jesus.
- Play Christmas music through the Epiphany. (see below for a Spotify playlist)
- Spread out Christmas gifts over the twelve days.
- And just make sure to do something "Christmas-y" each day - bake holiday goodies, put together Christmas themed puzzles, go on a drive to look at Christmas lights in your neighborhood (or beyond), decorate Gingerbread houses (bonus that you can purchase a kit on the 26th on sale!), watch your favorite Christmas movies!
A Twelve Days of Christmas Poster with suggestions for ways to celebrate the 12 days of Christmas will be handed out at the services on Christmas Eve & Christmas Day. If you will not be with us in-person and would like those resources mailed to you, please connect with Katy Denning ([email protected]) and she can get you one!
In addition, our St. Paul's YouTube Page has a playlist of videos for Celebrating all 12 Days of Christmas. Check that out here and you'll also find some of our favorite read-aloud children's books for sharing the Christmas story!
Here are some additional resources for celebrating the full season of Christmas:
A Christmas Feast of Poems: From the Salt Project Blog: "With its emphasis on mystery and wonder, the Christmas season isn’t just well-suited to poetry — it’s almost as if poems become essential this time of year, like lanterns to make our way through the shadows, or a set of keys to help us unlock the season’s many doors, or dishes in a feast of delicate pleasures."
This amazing Spotify Christmastide Playlist of music by Kate Bowler (author & podcast host)
12 Ideas for the 12 Days of Christmas (A Sacred Journey website)
Carrying Christmas With Us: Prayer Cards for all 12 Days (From Build Faith website, includes printable prayer cards)
As the Season of Christmas concludes, make time to celebrate the Epiphany!
You are welcome to join us on January 5 at the 10 a.m. Worship Service for a fun Nativity Pageant and celebration!