THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS:
In 350 A.D., The Christian Church proclaimed December 25 to be the official commemoration date of the birth of Jesus. January 6 was designated as The Epiphany, celebrating the arrival of the three Magi. This was the formal presentation of the Christ-Child to humanity. The valuable gifts symbolized acceptance of the Child's elevated status from divers sources. In 567 A.D., The Council of Tours proclaimed the twelve days between Christmas and Epiphany to be a festive period, and December 5th was subsequently known as Twelfth Night (counting December 25th as day one). That festive period became known as The Twelve Days of Christmas.
The story that developed into the popular song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" dates back to the 16th century religious wars in England prompted by Henry VIII's desire for a divorce. It was said to be a mnemonic device to teach young Christians their catechism. "True Love" throughout the song refers to God, and "Me" refers to the catechist. There is neither substantive evidence for nor against this theory. Therefore, all conjecture gives way to symbolic meaning, which supports the spirit of the Christian holy days. Before the Christian era, there were many pagan and other world religious symbols that coincide with this section of the year, which will be dealt with in a subsequent article.
The Twelve Days of Christmas
On the 2nd day of Christmas my true love gave to me: Two Turtle Doves:
On the 3rd day of Christmas my true love gave to me: Three French Hens:
On the 4th day of Christmas my true love gave to me: Four Calling Birds:
On the 5th day of Christmas my true love gave to me: Five Gold Rings:
On the 6th day of Christmas my true love gave to me: Six Geese A-Laying:
On the 7th day of Christmas my true love gave to me: Seven Swans A-swimming:
On the 8th day of Christmas my true love gave to me: Eight Maids A-milking:
On the 9th day of Christmas my true love gave to me: Nine Ladies Dancing:
On the 10th day of Christmas my true love gave to me Ten Lords A-leaping:
On the 11th day of Christmas my true love gave to me: Eleven Pipers Piping:
On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me: Twelve Drummers Drumming:
The Christ-Child is referred to as the "Light of the World," Simeon referred to Him as "A light for a revelation to the Gentiles" (Luke 2.32), inferring that the world needed Light. Epiphany means, "to show," "to reveal," or "to make known." This season, in all religions, we communicate our feelings of love for others and our hope for a healing of our differences. May we all experience the healing of our world that we hope for, and by respecting our differences, and by uniting with others in the areas where we agree. May each of you experience the joy of this blessed season, and a successful and prosperous 2004.
____________________
References
Scripture quotations from The Holy Bible, From the Ancient Eastern Text, George M. Lamsa's Translation, 1933, 1957 by A. J. Holman Co., Nashville, KY
The Twelve Days of Christmas, by Dennis Bratcher, 2003, The Christian Resource Institute - The Voice, http://www.cresourcei.orig/cy12days.html
On the 1st day of Christmas my true love gave to me: A Partridge in a Pear Tree:
The Pear Tree is symbolic of the Cross, upon which Jesus died in defense of his followers. A Partridge is a small bird that is willing to fight to the death to defend her young.
Jewish families used turtledoves as offerings to God. Doves mate for life. This refers to the love of Mary and Joseph and their sacrifice of a pair of doves when presenting Jesus to the temple when he was forty days old, as required by Jewish Law. Also, here is a reference to the two testaments of the Bible.
French hens were valuable poultry during the sixteenth century. They symbolize the three gifts offered by the wise men: gold (the metal of kings - because of its beauty and rarity. Of all the metals, it is inert - doesn't easily mix with other elements, and doesn't break down, but maintains its elemental form), frankincense (the extremely valuable hardened resin of the Boswellia Carterii Thurifera shrub found in Arabia and Somalia, used as an incense in religious rituals), and myrrh (known in nutrition as guggul, made from a resin from the Commiphora myrrha tree found in Arabia and Somalia, used in incense, as a holy oil for anointing the dead, as a mouthwash, as a vermifuge, and as a pain-killer). Also, the Three Theological Virtues: "Faith, Hope, and Love" (1 Corinthians 13:13). Also, the three persons of the holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
The distinctive voices of the authors of the Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, who spread the message of Jesus the Christ and his life and mission.
Representing the Five Gold Rings are the first five books of the Old Testament: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Known in the Jewish religion as the Torah (or the Pentateuch), these are the meeting place or overlap of the Judeo-Christian set of guiding principles and their common history.
The laying of eggs is symbolic of the creation of new life. These refer to the six days of Creation.
The swan is an early symbol for transformation. Christian transformation occurs through the agency of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, leading, and compassion.
Milk nurtures us and strengthens our bones, which refer to the structure of Jesus basic teachings at the Sermon on the Mount, called the Beatitudes, or blessings: poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and those who are persecuted because of righteousness. Also the eight people saved in Noahs ark, who survived as a result of faith.
Symbolizes the celebrating and rejoicing generated by the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Also, the nine ranks or levels of angelic hierarchy.
Lords were men with the authority to command obedience. They symbolize God's basic laws, The Ten Commandments: No other gods, not to make or bow to idols, not to take God's name in vain, do remember the Sabbath, honor your father and mother, do no murder, not to commit adultery, not to steal, not to lie, not to covet the property of another.
Pipers are leaders. The eleven faithful Apostles were Jesus' chosen advocates to spread his messages of peace and hope to the world.
The drummers beat out the rhythm of the twelve beliefs of Christianity: The Apostle's Creed: The belief in God as creator; Jesus Christ -the Son; Jesus' immaculate conception; His betrayal and death; His resurrection; the coming judgment; the Holy Spirit, the holy church; the spiritual union of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and eternal life. Also, the twelve tribes of Israel, and the twelve gates of heaven.
The Real 12 Days of Christmas, by Helen Haidle, 1997, Multinomah Publishers, Sisters, OR