THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

Don’t you just love a good myth? Some have said the Christmas carol, The Twelve Days of Christmas, was written as a code for children to learn their catechism in England during a time when Catholics were forbidden to talk about their faith. SNOOPS tells us the math just doesn’t work. The time-line is inconsistent with historic facts. Never-the-less, I love the parallels that were drawn between the little Christmas song and the true, religious meaning of Christmas. With political correctness out of control, some day we may need to cloak our words in secrecy. Whatever your interpretation of the current times, as we enter these Twelve Days of Christmas, dwelling on Christian symbols will bring a deeper meaning to faithful Christians.

Christian meaning was added to The Twelve Days of Christmas as follows: “My true love” = God himself. The partridge in a pear tree = Jesus Christ; two turtle doves = the old and new testaments; three French hens = Faith, Hope, and Charity; four calling birds = the four gospels and/or the four evangelists; five golden rings = the first five books of the old testament (the Pentateuch - the story of creation and man’s fall); six geese a-laying = the six days of creation; seven swans a-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit; eight maids a-milking = the eight beatitudes; nine ladies dancing = the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit; ten lords a-leaping = the ten commandments; eleven pipers piping = the eleven faithful apostles; twelve drummers drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles Creed. It matters not when these attributions were given to The Twelve Days of Christmas. What matters is, that we find Christian meaning in the Christmas season. Teaching your children these possible attributes is a wonderful way to dig more deeply into Christian teaching during this season. While “Happy Holiday” refers to celebrations of several religions, “Merry Christmas” is a blessing from God in the name of his son, Jesus Christ. Let us pray:

“Father God, our one true love, holy and precious is your name above all names. May your kingdom come into each heart this very day, so that we may dwell in your truth and walk in your will beginning even now. Today, during these twelve days of Christmas, open our eyes to the true meaning of Christmas, that we may transfer it from our heart to those around us. Let the Holy Night be with us wherever we go, that we may bring your peace and glad tidings, given to us over two-thousand years ago on the hills above Bethlehem, to all those we meet. The Holy Child of Bethlehem is the only gift we need this year, his worth is above all measure. Thank you Father, thank you. May we see his sweet smile wherever we go. In His precious name we pray. Amen.”
Doris
“God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine.”
May God richly bless you all with a very Merry Christmas
Copyright 2010 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.