Back when I was a kid I remember January 6th being called Old Christmas Day. No one seems to mention it much anymore, but curiosity got the better of me.
The Eastern Orthodox churches (and perhaps others) still use January 6th as Christmas I believe? It’s also the feast of Epiphany, though the feast days are more well know in the Catholic (and maybe Anglican?) churches than they are to me.
Practically the only thing I really remember about it as a “tradition” was that we always waited till then to take decorations down. Was kind of the semi official end of Christmas.
I’ve also read traditions of some countries/cultures saying animals could talk on Christmas Eve, but I seem to recall our tradition being that they could talk on Old Christmas Day.
Anyone remember anything else? Leave a comment please, let me know you were here!
Raised in outport Newfoundland in a town of 65 people, I pursued a post secondary diploma in Information Technology right out of High School.
I’ve always been a geek at heart, but yet I love the rural life I grew up with. Fishing, hunting, camping and the great outdoors are still loves of mine, even if I don’t pursue them as often as I once did. Sports were always a big part of our lives, and I played many (badly) and loved them all.
I know Old Christmas Day well, since it is my birthday! Growing up, I had been told that the reason it’s called “Old Christmas Day” is that it took the Wise Men 12 days to reach the manger where Jesus was born (following the star that appeared at his birth). Hence the “12 Days of Christmas” song. Whatever the reason, our family (in Ontario), also carried on the tradition of my parents’ famillies of leaving the tree/decorations up until January 6th.
Peter, I remember some of the old folks saying the animals prayed on old Christmas night.