On December 18, a friend and I were having a conversation about the Twelve Days of Christmas and she casually said it was too late to do anything to honor the tradition. I thought for a moment on whether I should correct her that the Twelve Days of Christmas were actually AFTER the traditional Christmas Day of December 25th. I decided to graze over the issue as to not be rude and correct her (it’s a southern thing). This conversation led to me asking several friends and collogues how they interpreted the Twelve Days of Christmas - the end result was that most people assume it is the twelve days leading up to Christmas.
Residents of North Carolina (and the south) are known to celebrate Christmas twice - traditional Christmas on December 25th and “Old” Christmas January 6th. The Twelve Days of Christmas is the period of time in Christian theology that marks the span between the birth of Christ and the coming of the Magi, the three wise men (also the shift from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar which shaved 11 days off of September in 1752). As a child, I remember my grandmother leaving her Christmas decorations up until “Old” Christmas, because that is what her parents did when she was a child - however, for many southerners, it’s “business as usual” after December 25th.
While some families are decorating the tree during trick or treating, other families celebrate the traditional ways of “Old” Christmas. There are various traditions of Old Christmas throughout North Carolina. For some, the Christmas tree isn’t decorated until Christmas Eve. Once the children go to bed, Santa brings a tree, presents, and goodies. This is where leaving the decorations up until Old Christmas comes into tradition.
Old Buck - Rodanthe, NC
In the small Outer Banks town of Rodanthe, the center of the celebration is around Old Buck, an odd, mythical bovine beast. The Old Christmas festivities in Rodanthe start in the afternoon on the twelfth day. There is a huge oyster roast, music, and a full day of celebrations. Once night falls, locals assemble in at the old schoolhouse, now the community building. After prayer, a drummer will beat a ceremonial drum and the strange creature Old Buck, powered by two young islanders hidden under part of his hide, will make his debut. The beast frolics up and down the aisles, prancing and chomping - causing giggles and squeals from children and adults alike.
Based on legend, Old Buck was a wild bull that swam ashore from a ship wreck, found the local cows to his liking and made Hatteras Island his home. He is said to be able to connect the dead past with the living present, allowing a moment to remember Christmases through the years, when departed loved ones were present. Local folklore says that Old Buck was shot and disappeared into a sparse piece of woods on the island, but he reappears and has been crashing Rodanthe Christmas parties since the 1940s.
Breaking Up Christmas - Western NC
In the mountains of North Carolina, one Old Christmas tradition that has lived on is Breaking Up Christmas. In the old days, winter was slow time of year, and people continued to celebrate the entire twelve days of Christmas. They would take turns “Breaking up Christmas”, by hosting music, dancing, and dinners at one another’s homes. The host family would move furniture outdoors, cook a huge meal, and the musicians would set up in the doorway to make room for dancing. (For this part, I envision a youthful Scrooge at ol’ Fezziwiggs dancing and having a good time).
A fiddle tune was written to “Breaking Up Christmas" to honor the tradition:
“Hooray, Jack and Horray John,
Breaking up Christmas all night long.
Way back yonder, a long time ago,
way down yonder alongside the creek,
I seen Santy Claus washing his feet.
Santa Claus come, done and gone,
Breaking up Christmas right along.”
One way experience "Old Christmas for yourself, visit the Old Stone House in Granite Quarry, NC during the holidays. The building, built in 1766, is the oldest in Rowan County. Visitors can tour the house and watch costumed guides demonstrate old time customs, listen to period music, and see how a colonial Christmas was celebrated.
You can also enjoy oysters and experience Old Buck each January in Rodanthe, at the Community Center!
