Little Christmas
| Little Christmas | |
|---|---|
| Also called | Ireland Women's Christmas Women's Little Christmas Nollaig na mBan Scotland Là Challuinn Là na Bliadhna Ùire Other Old Christmas Armenian Christmas Green Christmas The Day of The Three Wise Men Three Kings Day |
| Observed by | Amish Christians in Ireland and the Irish diaspora Appalachian Americans, Scottish Highlanders Newfoundland and Labrador |
| Type | Christian, Irish and Scottish |
| Significance | visit of the Three Kings to Jesus, former date of Christmas |
| Observances | religious services, gift giving, family gatherings, meeting friends |
| Date | 6 January in Ireland, 1 January in the Scottish Highlands |
| Related to | Christmas, Twelfth Night, Epiphany, Christmastide, Epiphanytide |
Little Christmas (Irish: Nollaig na mBan, lit. 'Women's Christmas'), also known as Old Christmas, is one of the traditional names among Irish Christians and the Amish for 6 January, which is also known more widely as the Feast of the Epiphany, celebrated after the conclusion of the twelve days of Christmastide. Epiphany, observed on 6 January, is preceded by Twelfth Night (Epiphany Eve) on 5 January. Believers prepare for Old Christmas through fasting, which is opened on Old Christmas through the consumption of Christmas dinner. The emphasis of Old Christmas celebrations is on reflecting on the birth of Jesus through attending church services and visiting with family. Popular Little Christmas customs include burning Christmas candles, singing Christmas carols, Epiphany singing, chalking the door, and having one's house blessed.