When does the Christmals Season end? I have just found this: https://aleteia.org/2014/12/31/when-is-christmas-over-january-1-epiphany-candlemas-whatever-that-is/
For Catholics the Christmas time used to end with Candlemas at the 2nd of February Then the Catholic Church changed that and decreed that the 6th of January should be the end of Christmas time. But I cannot find when exactly and why exactly that was changed.
The two major dates are: 6th of January - the day of the Three Holy Kings 2nd of February - Candlemas
It ends on the Epiphany the 6th of January for the Greek Orthodox, although the Russians go by the old Calendar so their Christmas falls on the 6th or 7th, I forgot which. There are supposed to be 12 days of Christmas, but in our Protestant world, many are partying before Christmas during a time of lent. Since our Thanksgiving falls within the 40 days of Lent, we're given allowance to indulge on that day. I'm talking about observant Orthodox and there aren't many. Our actual Fast is very strict, but it wasn't difficult at one time since the foods were seasonal and everyone fasted. I know the Italians call it the Black Fast. Seems the converts are more in tune to that. Maybe the Catholic Church decided to shorten the days of Christmas so people would get back to work. Enough partying already?
When I was young, for a Catholic the Christmas time ended at Candlemas - on the 2nd of February. In all the churches the Christmas Trees and the nativity scenes stayed until that day. I think it a pity that the church broke with this tradition.
