CHRISTMASTIDE is the 12 days from Christmas Day (December 25) to day before the Season of Epiphany starts (January 5).

“The liturgical day actually starts at sundown the night before a feast or fast. The Christmas Eve Eucharist is actually the first worship service of Christmas. The emphasis is usually on the story of the birth of Christ and the church is [decorated with green and red]. Because carols are not sung during Advent, we sing them Christmas Eve.”

While the Christmas carol, “The 12 Days of Christmas” has not been proven that it was written to help Christians learn and pass on the tenets of their faith while avoiding persecution. It is nonetheless a fun carol to learn and sing each year around this time.

FOUR CALLING BIRDS = the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists (some versions say “colly” birds. This is an archaic term meaning black as coal (blackbirds, in other words).

• FOURTH DAY of CHRISTMAS . . . The four CALLING BIRDS refer to the FOUR GOSPELS
  • MATTHEW
  • MARK
  • LUKE
  • JOHN
• On the Third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me . . . Three french hens (stand for faith, hope, and charity)
• On the Second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me . . . Two turtle doves (refer to the Old and the New Testaments)
• On the First day of Christmas, my true love gave to me . . . A partridge is a pear tree (refers to Jesus Christ on the Cross)

December 28th: The Holy Innocents

• The Holy Innocents (this Holy Day is observed on December 28)

This is a more reflective, somber day. This day commemorates the innocent children who were killed by Herod in Bethlehem when he was trying to eliminate the baby that was said to be the Messiah (Matthew 2). Along with these innocent babies, we remember all innocent people who have been subject to violence or even death. We pray that God will frustrate the designs of tyrants, and give us grace to bring healing to a world marked by suffering.

Source: https://anglicancompass.com/the-12-days-of-christmas-guide-to-christmastide/; https://www.vox.com/21796404/12-days-of-christmas-explained