The Christmas Cycle and the Twelve Days of Christmas

Use this devotional guide to reflect on the meaning of Christmas between December 25 and January 6.

The Christmas cycle begins with the First Sunday in Advent. The word “advent” is derived from the Latin term, advenio, which means “coming,” or “arrival,” for example, the coming of good news, or the arrival of an important person or special holiday. The Advent season, marked by four Sundays preceding Christmas, is the beginning of a new church year. The First Sunday in Advent is “New Year’s Day” in the church calendar and offers a fresh start for life and faith and worship.

The LORD said:
I promise that the time will come
when I will appoint a king from the family of David,
a king who will be honest and rule with justice.
Jeremiah 33:14a, 15a

Advent ushers in a time of anticipation and preparation. The lessons for each of Advent’s four Sundays prepare us for the birth of the Christ Child and the coming of the Messiah, which takes place at Christmas, and also for Christ’s Second Coming at the close of the age. The assigned Scripture readings encourage us to remain alert and faithful as we await our Lord’s return – Scriptures that also teach us how prophets such as Isaiah and Jeremiah, kings such as David, and forerunners such as John the Baptist, prepared the way for the coming of the Messiah.

The Festival of the Nativity of Our Lord is the central theme in the Christmas cycle. Many celebrate the birth of Jesus on Christmas Eve (December 24), while others wait until Christmas Day (December 25).

The true light that shines on everyone
was coming into the world.
John 1:9

Christ’s illuminating power is the focus of Christmas. Jesus is the “light for the world” (John 8.12). During the season of Advent, traditionally a candle is lit on each of the four Sundays to signify the coming of the True Light into the world. On Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, the Christ Candle is lit to symbolize that the light has come to dispel our darkness.

Those who walked in the dark
have seen a bright light.
And it shines upon everyone
who lives in the land of darkest shadows.
Isaiah 9:2

As Christ enters the world, darkness gives way to light. Sin gives way to forgiveness, ushering in reconciliation to God.

God has shown how kind he is by coming to save all people.
Titus 2:11

Beginning with December 25, the Christmas season is comprised of twelve days, and the cycle concludes with the Epiphany of Our Lord (January 6). Epiphany, a Greek word that means “appearance” or “to make known,” is a season that follows Christmas and focuses on God’s presence made known to all the world as revealed in Jesus Christ. The Feast of Epiphany is celebrated on January 6 when the church celebrates the visit of the Magi, or Wise Men from the East (Matthew 2.1-12).

Throughout the twelve days of Christmas, and concluding with Epiphany, reflect daily on the gift of God’s love – God’s own Son, the Savior and Light for the world. Here are some suggested readings:

Conclude your reading with prayer:

Come into my heart, Lord Jesus, and reign there forever. You are the True Light that has come into the world. Lead me and guide me today and every day. Amen.