When I was a young mom, I struggled with juggling all the “things” of Christmas. The shopping lists, the decorating, the wrapping, the baking, the endless parties. And oh yes… somehow, in the middle of all that, I was supposed to make sure Christ was part of the celebration, too. And this was back in the days before the elf-on-the-shelf craze added even more to moms’ plates.
I tried. I really did. But no matter how hard I worked, I was never on time, never on budget, and always seemed to disappoint someone who had their heart set on that one special gift. I felt frazzled and guilty—hardly the “joy to the world” I was hoping for.
Then came the lesson that changed everything: Christmas doesn’t end on December 25. It begins.
The Year Everything Changed
One Advent, our parish priest, Father Russ Rhode, S.J. (may he rest in peace), sent a letter describing how Jesuit letters from the 1600s linked The Twelve Days of Christmas to a secret “code” of catechetical truths. Historians debate the details—earliest printings appear in England in 1780—but what struck me was this: there really are twelve days of Christmas, starting on December 25 and ending at Epiphany.
That truth reframed everything.
From Chaos to Sacred Rhythm
Like most families, we had packed Christmas into Advent—shopping, wrapping, decorating—only to collapse on December 26. But the Church gives us a better rhythm: Advent as waiting and preparation, the Octave of Christmas as eight days of feasting, and the full twelve days leading to Epiphany.
This rhythm gave me permission to slow down, breathe, and keep Christ at the center.
How We Shifted Traditions
- Santa stayed on December 24–25, but afterward we turned to God’s gifts.
- Daily reflections on Scripture or the song’s symbols (two turtle doves = Old & New Testaments, three French hens = faith, hope, charity).
- Music & crafts—we even recorded a family song and made heirloom ornaments that still hang on our tree.
- Epiphany became a highlight with a King’s Cake, home blessing, and family celebration.
Why It Matters
Living all twelve days gave us the peace that “surpasses understanding.” Instead of being drained after Christmas Day, we found ourselves renewed, savoring the season with Christ at the center.
👉 What about you? What traditions might you add—or set aside—to reclaim the rhythm of Christmas this year?
Frequently Asked Questions
The most important thing on Christmas Day is and always will be Jesus Himself, the gift of God’s love made flesh. By living the full 12 days with prayer, gratitude, and service, we move from presents to Presence, keep Christ at the center, and share His joy with the world.
Christmas is not about rushing or consumerism, but about entering the Church’s rhythm—preparing in Advent, celebrating the 12 days of Christmas, and rejoicing at Epiphany. By embracing prayer, gratitude, and service, and making our homes places of faith, we keep Christ at the center and reclaim the season’s true joy.
Christmas is the celebration of God’s love made flesh in the Incarnation, reminding us that salvation is His free gift of joy. By living the full 12 days with prayer, humility, gratitude, and service, we keep Christ at the center and share His love with a weary world.
Hi, I am Rebecca Even
CEO Of A.M.D.G. Productions LLC
Catholic author, Speaker, Songwriter but not a singer, Rebecca Even is a wife and mother with a passion for working with women especially mothers of all ages.
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