Celebrating the 12 Days of Christmas
While most of the world is preparing for Christmas by putting lights on the tree, watching Christmas movies, and listening to Christmas music. Catholics are waiting patiently and penitently for the coming of Christ.
The Christmas celebration will begin as everyone else’s is coming to an end. It can be odd not to follow the world, but that is what’s asked of us.
Here is how to celebrate the 12 days of Christmas while everyone else has moved on from wrapping paper and smoked ham:
🎄 How Catholics Celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas
The Christmas season begins on December 25 with Midnight Mass and continues until the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6. Each day has its own meaning in the Church calendar, and many families use this period for prayer, feasting, small traditions, and spiritual renewal.
Dec 25 – Christmas Day (Nativity of the Lord)
Focus: Christ’s birth & the arrival of Christ
Ways to celebrate:
Attend Christmas Mass
Pray before a Nativity scene
Bless your home with the Christmas Gospel (John 1:1–18)
Begin the tradition of keeping the lights on, or candles lit, all 12 days
Dec 26 – Feast of St. Stephen
Focus: The first Christian martyr
Ways to celebrate:
Do an act of charity or give alms
Visit someone lonely or in need
Pray for persecuted Christians
Dec 27 – Feast of St. John the Apostle
Focus: Apostle of love
Ways to celebrate:
Read the Gospel of John
Show extra kindness to family
Dec 28 – Feast of the Holy Innocents
Focus: Children killed by Herod
Ways to celebrate:
Pray for unborn children and all vulnerable youth
Do something fun with your children—joy is a way of honoring them
Light a candle in remembrance
Dec 29 – St. Thomas Becket
Focus: Defender of the Church
Ways to celebrate:
Pray for religious freedom
Offer a small sacrifice or fast
Dec 30 – Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas
Focus: Ongoing celebration of the Nativity
Ways to celebrate:
Enjoy a Christmas movie or activity
Keep singing Christmas hymns (they’re meant for this time!)
Dec 31 – St. Sylvester / New Year’s Eve
Catholic focus: Thanksgiving for the past year
Ways to celebrate:
Pray a Te Deum for blessings received
Make faith-centred resolutions
Have a festive family dinner
Jan 1 – Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
Holy Day of Obligation (in many countries)
Ways to celebrate:
Attend Mass
Consecrate the new year to Mary
Begin a Marian devotion (Rosary, Angelus, etc.)
Jan 2 – Sts. Basil the Great & Gregory Nazianzen
Focus: Friendship and faith
Ways to celebrate:
Pray for your friends
Write a letter of gratitude to someone who strengthened your faith
Jan 3 – Holy Name of Jesus
Focus: Power and reverence of Jesus’ name
Ways to celebrate:
Pray the Litany of the Holy Name
Place a small sign with “IHS” in your home
Practice speaking gently and avoiding harsh words
Jan 4 – St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (USA)
Focus: Education & trust in God
Ways to celebrate:
Read her story
Pray for teachers, homeschoolers, or students
Do something to grow your own faith
Jan 5 – St. John Neumann (USA) / Twelfth Night
Focus: Missionary zeal
Ways to celebrate:
Pray for missionaries
Do a final festive meal or small “Twelfth Night” party
Prepare your home for Epiphany
Jan 6 – Epiphany (or following Sunday)
Not technically part of the 12 days, but it completes the Christmas cycle.
Ways to celebrate:
Attend Mass
Do a traditional Epiphany home blessing (“20 + C + M + B + 25”)
Give small gifts to symbolise the Magi’s offerings
General Ideas for All 12 Days
Make this a very celebratory, festive, and joyous time! Don’t move on yet
Keep the Christmas tree and lights up
Say nightly prayers by the manger
Share a small treat or activity each day
Do a daily act of beauty or charity
Read the Nativity accounts (Matthew 1–2, Luke 1–2)
Short, Simple Family Devotions
Light a candle and say: “Christ is our light.”
Read a short Gospel passage
End with: “Lord Jesus, be born in our hearts today.”
