In England, the Christmas decorations are left in place until the 6th day of January, and since old habits are hard to break, the decorations around our house, are still in place.
The tradition is that all Christmas decorations should be removed on 6th January so as not to bring bad luck into the home. According to UK tradition, tree-spirits lived in the holly and ivy and this was brought into the house to keep them safe during the harsh winter days. Once the harsh weather of Christmas was over, the greenery had to be brought back outside to release the tree-spirits from their temporary imprisonment. Failure to do this would block growth and prevent the Spring from coming.
Today people in the UK still feel uneasy about leaving the Christmas Decorations up after Twelfth Night. Even though decorations are now made disposable materials, and the tree-spirits elevated position in the scheme of things has been long demoted, the tradition and superstition still survives.
At least according to Christian traditions, tonight is Twelfth Night and tomorrow, January 6th, is Twelfth Day, also known as Epiphany or Three Kings Day.
Many churches leave their decor up an extra day so that Epiphany can be celebrated on January 6th with the Three Wise Men being added to the manger scene on display.
Many churches leave their decor up an extra day so that Epiphany can be celebrated on January 6th with the Three Wise Men being added to the manger scene on display.
Regardless, it seems as good a reason as any to pack up the tinsel and stockings and vacuum up the last of the pine needles, for yet another year.
