Christmastide: Day 12 (St Telesphorus/St John Neumann)

“On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, twelve drummers drumming ...”

+    +    +

Contrary to popular opinion (including people who should know better), the sixth day of January is not the twelfth day of Christmas. The day before, the fifth of January, is the twelfth day of Christmas. The following day, the sixth of January, is the first day of Epiphanytide.

Don't believe me? Get the calendar, do the math, and thank me later.

Another misconception, one growing this past year among traditional Catholics, is that Christmas lasts for forty days, leading up to the Feast of the Presentation, or Candlemas Day. No, Christmastide does not last for forty days. That would be the Christmas Cycle, one of only a few that comprise the liturgical year. And yes, we continue to celebrate, but not in the same way. That's why we have Carnivale in Brazil, Mardi Gras (the day before Lent begins) in New Orleans and beyond, and in the Philippines, the Feast of Santo Niño on the third Sunday of January. (More on that last one later, probably.)

Okay, let's review. Christmas Octave (eight days), Christmastide (twelve days, from 25 December through 5 January), Epiphanytide (from 6 January until the start of Septuagesima until Shrove Tuesday right before Lent, which always begins after Candlemas Day), and the Christmas Cycle (forty days or more, encompassing most of the above). Four different things.

You're welcome.

+    +    +

Meanwhile ...

Today, the reformed Roman calendar honors Saint John Nepomucene Neumann, a native of Bohemia and Redemptorist priest who was appointed Bishop of Philadelphia in the mid-19th century, and who was a key figure in spreading the Faith to an ever-expanding United States of America.

In the traditional Roman calendar, Mother Church remembers Pope Saint Telesphorus, elected Bishop of Rome in 126, and martyred ten years later. The tradition of celebrating Mass on Christmas at Midnight, the celebration of Easter on Sundays, the keeping of a seven-week Lent before Easter, and the singing of the Gloria, all are attributed by tradition to his pontificate, even as the historical accuracy of these claims remains in doubt.

Tonight, a season ends, and here at Chez Alexandre, we start the day by taking the ornaments down from the tree. Tomorrow, a new season begins. Stay tuned ...