The Twelve Days of Christmas

The Twelve Days of Christmas are from Dec. 25 to the Feast of the Epiphany on Jan. 6. The Friday fast is waived during this period. Saint Stephen, the first martyr, is remembered on Dec. 26. This is the day when “Good King Wenceslas looked out, on the feast of Stephen,” and is sometimes called “Boxing Day.” Saint John, apostle, evangelist, and our patron saint, is remembered on Dec. 27. John was the son of Zebedee and the brother of James the Greater. John and James were nicknamed the “sons of thunder” by Jesus (Mark 3:17). Originally a fisherman, John and his brother were called by Jesus, together with Peter and Andrew, to become his disciples.