The Twelve Days of Christmas

[Ravensbourne]

According to the BBCRadio3 Facebook page, the Twelve Days of Christmas run from 26 December (the first day) until 6 January (the twelfth day). Does anybody agree with this numbering, which seems one day out to me?

[subcontrabass]

According to the BBCRadio3 Facebook page, the Twelve Days of Christmas run from 26 December (the first day) until 6 January (the twelfth day). Does anybody agree with this numbering, which seems one day out to me?

The first day of Christmas is 25th December. The first night is 24th/25th December.

[Biffo]

This is what Wikipedia has to say for Twelfth Night:

'It is defined by the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary as "the evening of the fifth of January, preceding Twelfth Day, the eve of the Epiphany, formerly the last day of the Christmas festivities and observed as a time of merrymaking". However, there is currently some confusion as to which night is Twelfth Night: some count the night of Epiphany itself (sixth of January) to be Twelfth Night.[2] One source of this confusion is the Medieval custom of starting each new day at sunset, so that Twelfth Night precedes Twelfth Day'

When growing up, going to church etc, we always regarded Epiphany as the last day of Christmas and there never seemed to be any confusion.

[Flosshilde]

I don't know if it clarifies the matter, but Bach's 'Christmas Oratorio' was performed thus - the first 3 cantatas were performed "on the first three days of Christmas (December 25-27) ... " and the 6th on the 6th January (from the notes to The Sixteen's recording).

[vinteuil]

... if in doubt, consult the great Leofranc Holford-Strevens [such a good name] in his Oxford Companion to the Year... I notice that under 6 January [a. d. VIII Idus Ianuarius] [ Epiphany of Our Lord (C of E, RC); Theophany, Baptism of Christ in the Jordan (Orth.)] [USA, New Mexico: Admission Day (47th state, 1912)] he does also say "Twelfth Day (but in some languages called 'thirteenth day': Swedish trettondag jul). " - He then devotes six further pages to the subject...

[Serial_Apologist]

As children we were always told that a year's bad luck would ensue unless all Christmas decorations were removed before the twelfth night. Last year I discovered that I had forgotten to remove two chrismas cards after twelfth night. I have had an exceptionally unlucky year.

[BBMmk2]

SA How unfortunate!!

12th Night January 6th!!

[Flosshilde]

As children we were always told that a year's bad luck would ensue unless all Christmas decorations were removed before the twelfth night. Last year I discovered that I had forgotten to remove two chrismas cards after twelfth night. I have had an exceptionally unlucky year.

Surely they have to be left up until 12th night, & then taken down? & the greenery burnt - but it might be a bit difficult to fit the tree into the average domestic fireplace

[Richard Tarleton]

... if in doubt, consult the great Leofranc Holford-Strevens [such a good name]

Gosh I remember him - polymath-about-Oxford in the late-60's - I seem to remember he did not get into All Souls because he was far too clever for them

[MrGongGong]

As children we were always told that a year's bad luck would ensue unless all Christmas decorations were removed before the twelfth night. Last year I discovered that I had forgotten to remove two chrismas cards after twelfth night. I have had an exceptionally unlucky year.

I had a very good year as I followed the advice of always drinking wine on days with a Y in their name !
(actually I had a spell in hospital but that was obviously due to the cat incident rather than anything pathological !)

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I'm becoming worried about fellow messageboarders.
Are there really people out there who believe what it says on Facebook and Wikipedia?

[Flosshilde]

probably, but no-one's mentioned either on this thread, or quoted from it (or at least, acknowledged the source - perhaps they were too embarassed to do so?)

[Biffo]

I'm becoming worried about fellow messageboarders.
Are there really people out there who believe what it says on Facebook and Wikipedia?

I have no idea about the accuracy or otherwise of Facebook because I have never consulted it. Wikipedia has a vast amount useful information and I have rarely had problems with its accuracy.

Flosshilde: I quoted from Wikipedia in my posting and acknowledged the fact.

[Richard Tarleton]

I have no idea about the accuracy or otherwise of Facebook because I have never consulted it. Wikipedia has a vast amount useful information and I have rarely had problems with its accuracy.

Likewise. I always include a link if referring to Wikipedia by way of acknowledgement. Facebook - wouldn't know where to start

[MrGongGong]

Likewise. I always include a link if referring to Wikipedia by way of acknowledgement. Facebook - wouldn't know where to start

I think the original Terminator movie will give you an overview of Skynet !