In the year 567 A.D., the Council of Tours proclaimed the 12 Days of Christmas, lasting from Christmas until Epiphany, as a sacred and festive season. The song, The Twelve Days of Christmas, was published in England in 1780 without music, as a chant, or rhyme. It is thought to be of French origin. Though the melodies have changed over the years, the standard tune now comes from a 1909 arrangement of a traditional folk melody by English composer, Frederic Austin, who introduced the prolonged “five gold rings.”
How many of us are familiar with the Christian meanings behind the song, The 12 Days of Christmas? When do the 12 days of Christmas start and when end within the Christmas Season of celebrations?
The 12 Days of Christmas begins with the Christmas Feast Day, which the Church put on December 25, and concludes 13 days later, when the Church celebrates the Feast of Epiphany.
Why was the Christian song written in such veiled language?
Christians within the first centuries were often persecuted, even to death, which is why The 12 Days of Christmas was written with ordinary things masking extra-ordinary meanings. Let’s take a closer look at the song, The 12 Days of Christmas, and meditate on the deeper reflections behind each one:
1) The Partridge in a pear tree: represents Jesus, Son of the Father in heaven, whose birthday we celebrate on the first day of Christmas. Jesus Christ is symbolically present as a mother partridge, the only bird that will die to protect her young.
2) Two Turtle Doves: represents the Old Testament and the New Testament, so the gift of the singer finds the complete story of the Judeo-Christian faith and God’s plan for the world.
3) Three French Hens: represents faith, hope and love.
4) Four Calling Birds: represents the our Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
5) Five Gold Rings: represents the first five books of the Old Testament, also known as the Torah, or the Pentateuch.
6) Six Geese a Laying: represents each “egg” as a new day in creation, a time when the world was “hatched,” as in formed by God.
7) Seven Swans a Swimming: represents the seven signs of the Holy Spirit:
1.prophecy
2. ministry
3. teaching
4. exhortation
5. giving
6. leading
7. compassion
As swans are one of the most beautiful and graceful creatures on earth, they seemed to be the perfect symbol of the spiritual gifts.
8) Eight Maids a Milking: As Christ came to save even the lowest of the low, this gift represents the ones who would receive His word and accept His grace. Being a milkmaid was about the worst job one could have in England during this time. This showed Jesus cared as much about servants as He did those of royal blood. The eight who were blessed were:
1. poor in spirit
2. those who mourn
3. the meek
4. those who hunger and thirst for righteousness
5. the merciful
6. the pure in heart
7. the peacemakers
8. those who are persecuted for righteousness sake
9) Nine Ladies Dancing: represents gifts of the Holy Spirit:
1. love
2. joy
3. peace
4. patience
5. kindness
6. generosity
7. faithfulness
8. gentleness
9. self-control
10) Ten Lords a Leaping: represents the judges as lords following the law, the Ten Commandments
11) Eleven Pipers Piping: represents the disciples minus Judas, since there were 11 men who carried out the gospel message
12) Twelve Drummers Drumming: represents the 12 points of doctrine in the Apostles Creed:
1. I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth
2. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord
3. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and was
4. Born of the Virgin Mary
5. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried
6. He descended into hell
7. On the third day He rose again
8. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father
9. He will come again to judge the living and the dead
10. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints
11. The forgiveness of sins
12. The resurrection of the body and life everlasting.
My Christmas wish for you is that your heart is filled with as much faith, hope and love that it can possibly hold; and that you be a beacon of this good cheer so that it overflowers your heart, into your families, neighborhoods, countries and the world.
God Bless Everyone Everywhere