Christmas: Just getting started

For much of Christianity, Christmas Day is the beginning of a twelve day celebration that ends on the twelfth night just before January 6^th, which is declared by many as the revelation of God to man through Jesus Christ. This date is referred to as the Epiphany. While there are several versions about when this Epiphany time came, a much accepted version is that this day is when the Magi visited the baby Jesus and thus Jesus, Son of God and Son of man was introduced physically to the Gentile world. So don’t go taking down your trees and other decorations on Christmas Day. There’s more to celebrate.

Many Christian traditions honor a Saint or an event on each of the twelve days of Christmas leading up to January 6^th, The Epiphany.  There are very few of us that haven’t sung “The Twelve Days of Christmas” song at some point in our lives. Have you ever wondered just what each of the gifts “my true love sent to me” mean? Is the meaning deeper than we know?

Some would have us believe that it was a secret code used by oppressed Christians in 17^th and 18^th century England. Others say that it was just a playful way of teaching new Christians (young and old) the basics of the faith, a kind of Catechism. Nonetheless, it has lasted for almost three hundred years and is loved by many. The following is the meaning of the twelve days of the song according to tradition. On each of the twelve days, my true love sent to me:

 

First Day - The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
Second Day - Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.
Third Day - Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.
Fourth Day - The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.
Fifth Day - The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
Sixth Day - The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
Seventh Day - Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
Eighth Day - The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
Ninth Day - Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.
Tenth Day - The ten lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments.
Eleventh Day - The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
Twelfth Day - The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.

 

Whatever the origin and correct intention of this song, it’s still useful and enjoyable in our time as we seek to understand our faith in new ways. It is also a reminder that Christmas is a season that begins on Christmas Day and ends on January 5^th, 12^th night. We modern Christians seem to do our Christmas celebrating not long after Thanksgiving Day and tend to end it soon after or on Christmas Day.

 

The idea that Christmas is a celebration that lasts for 12-days beginning on Christmas day is practiced in different ways in the multiple Christian traditions, but who can say that it is not a worthwhile practice for those who celebrate this way. It certainly deepens our faith to recognize Saints and events in our history as well as to remember the many aspects of our faith that are underlying in The Twelve Days of Christmas song. The idea of continuing the celebration for 12-days after the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ connects us more with the life of Christ and God’s purposes in and through Him.