Today I have 13 things about the 12 Days of Christmas! #1 is about the 12 Days of Christmas and the rest are based on the song.- The Twelve Days of Christmas as a celebration and festival is old and steeped in traditions from Christian cultures around the world. For many, the idea of the 12 days as a length of celebration is based on a sequence of verses in the Holy Bible (Matthew 2:1-12), and a belief that it may have taken 12 days for the three kings (also called wise men or magi) to travel to Bethlehem.
- The "true love" is God Himself. The "me" who receives the present is every baptized person. The Partridge in a Pear Tree is Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
- 2 Turtle Doves represents the Old & New Testaments.
- 3 French Hens represents The Three Theological Virtues: 1) Faith, 2) Hope, and 3) Love (1 Corinthians 13:13)
- 4 Calling Birds represents the Four Gospels: 1) Matthew, 2) Mark, 3) Luke, and 4) John, which proclaim the Good News of God's reconciliation of the world to Himself in Jesus Christ.
- 5 Golden Rings represents the Penteteuch, the first five books of the Bible: 1) Genesis, 2) Exodus, 3) Leviticus, 4) Numbers, and 5) Deuteronomy, which gives the history of humanity's sinful failure and God's response of grace in the creation of a people to be a light to the world.
- 6 Geese A-laying represents the six days of creation that confesses God as Creator and Sustainer of the world (Genesis 1).
- 7 Swans A-swimming represents seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: 1) prophecy, 2)ministry, 3) teaching, 4) exhortation, 5) giving, 6) leading, and 7) compassion (Romans 12:6-8; cf. 1 Corinthians 12:8-11)
- 8 Maids A- Milking represents The eight Beatitudes: 1) Blessed are the 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. (Matthew 5:3-10)
- 9 Ladies Dancing represents the Fruit of the Holy Spirit: 1) love, 2) joy, 3) peace, 4) patience, 5) kindness, 6) generosity, 7) faithfulness, 8) gentleness, and 9) self-control. (Galatians 5:22).
- 10 Lord's A-Leaping represents the ten commandments: 1) You shall have no other gods before me; 2) Do not make an idol; 3) Do not take God's name in vain; 4) Remember the Sabbath Day; 5) Honor your father and mother; 6) Do not murder; 7) Do not commit adultery; 8) Do not steal; 9) Do not bear false witness; 10) Do not covet. (Exodus 20:1-17)
- 11 Piper's Piping represents the eleven Faithful Apostles: 1) Simon Peter, 2) Andrew, 3) James, 4) John, 5) Philip, 6) Bartholomew, 7) Matthew, 8) Thomas, 9) James bar Alphaeus, 10) Simon the Zealot, 11) Judas bar James. (Luke 6:14-16). The list does not include the twelfth disciple, Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus to the religious leaders and the Romans.
- 12 Drummers Drumming represents the twelve 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 born of the virgin Mary. 4) He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell [the grave]. 5) On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. 6) He will come again to judge the living and the dead. 7) I believe in the Holy Spirit, 8) the holy catholic Church, 9) the communion of saints, 10) the forgiveness of sins, 11) the resurrection of the body, 12) and life everlasting.
Labels: Christianity, Christmas, Family, Homeschooling, Thursday Thirteen
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17 Comments:
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At November 29, 2007 8:40 AM,
jenn said...
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What a great post.
Happy tt! -
At November 29, 2007 8:48 AM,
Jenny-up the hill said...
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Oh thanks for sharing this! I never knew the meaning behind the numbers...how neat!
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At November 29, 2007 9:21 AM,
MommyBa said...
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I've read this before and it still amuses me to know that one of my favorite Christmas carols actually has some Biblical meaning. It's really amazing, isn't it?
Happy Thursday!!! -
At November 29, 2007 9:44 AM,
Lynn / vigilant20 said...
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That is so cool. I've never heard that before.
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At November 29, 2007 10:10 AM,
el-e-e said...
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I always want to re-read this at Christmastime. Glad you posted it!
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At November 29, 2007 10:43 AM,
dawn said...
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A very interesting interpretation I hadn't heard before.
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At November 29, 2007 12:33 PM,
said...
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I'm going to copy this and pass it on... great post!!!
Valerie -
At November 29, 2007 12:34 PM,
PapaArcher said...
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Love your post today! A common misconception about the 12 days of Christmas: they begin on 25 December and end on Epiphany (this year it is Sunday, 6 Jan 08) with the celebration of the arrival of the Wise Men.
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At November 29, 2007 12:37 PM,
PapaArcher said...
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To clarify..the common misconception is that the 12 day of Christmas are before Christmas..when they actually begin on Dec. 25 and run through Jan. 6.
Sorry about that! -
At November 29, 2007 2:17 PM,
Jennifer in OR said...
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Very interesting! And thanks, Papaarcher, for the info. on the actual dates of the 12 Days of Christmas - I didn't know that!
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At November 30, 2007 1:21 PM,
Trish said...
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Great post, Kristine. And thanks to Papa Archer for the clarification about the 12 Days of Christmas! I grew up in an Episcopal home ~ my dad was an Episcopal priest (we just won't go there....) ~ and we always celebrated Advent and the 12 days of Christmas. We were the only people I knew who put their Christmas tree up on Christmas Eve and didn't take it down until after Epiphany!
I'm going to link to this post ~ if you don't want me to, let me know and I'll take down the link. (I always like to let you know, just incase. ;) )
Blessings,
Trish -
At November 30, 2007 2:10 PM,
MamaArcher said...
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Trish-
i love it when people link to me, as long as it is for a good reason! :0)
We put our tree up earlier than that but wait until Epiphany to take it down. I will post on advent soon! -
At November 30, 2007 5:13 PM,
said...
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I am Eastern Orthodox, and the 12 days of Christmas are very important to us, because we hold the ancient Christian tradition of Advent being a penitent, fasting season, just like Lent. While most others are "celebrating" Christmas all through December, we are fasting from meat, dairy, eggs, wine, and oil, and focusing on repentance and waiting for the incarnate Lord. Christmas is the feast, and then we celebrate for twelve days until Theophany (or Epiphany in the Western tradition). We have all our Christmas parties, wonderful food, cookies, and gift giving on Christmas and AFTER, during these twelve days of celebration.
Just thought you'd like to know how the celebration of the twelve days of Christmas is celebrated in the Eastern Church :)
Arielle
ariellejuliana.livejournal.com -
At November 30, 2007 10:08 PM,
Nicholas said...
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The 12 days of Christmas end on 6th January, known as Twelfth Night. That's why we leave our decorations up till that date in England.
That was an interesting list. Is it actually why the song was written, or were those meanings ascribed to it later? -
At December 1, 2007 12:20 AM,
MamaArcher said...
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Arielle- Thank you for that added information! That is something I sis not know.
Nicholas- Legend has it that persecuted Christians used this song wishing to secretly catechize their children. -
At December 3, 2007 7:49 AM,
saintjane said...
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http://www.fisheaters.com/12daysofchristmas.html
"....There are a lot of rumors about "The Twelve Days of Christmas", an old French song that first showed in English written form in the children's book "Mirth Without Mischief" in A.D. 1780. One rumor is that it was a catechism in code, used by Catholics to pass the Faith down to their children during the Cromwell-led persecutions in England and Ireland." -
At December 3, 2007 8:00 AM,
MamaArcher said...
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I do know that the origin is controversial. I do believe, however, that we can take this to heart and apply it to teaching our children or as a reminder ourselves regardless of that controversy.
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