RainDrops

Prayers, Power, Passion and Inspiration

"In that day the LORD Almighty will be a glorious crown,

a beautiful wreath for the remnant of his people." 

 Luke 1:49

 

The Twelve Days of Christmas

 

 

The 12 Days of Christmas start with Christmas Day and finish with the eve of Epiphany on the 5th of January.  From 1558 until 1829, Christians were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a song for young Christians. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of the church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality, which the children could remember.

 

On the first day of Christmas, 
my true love sent to me 
A partridge in a pear tree. 
 

True Love refers to God


On the second day of Christmas, 
my true love sent to me 
Two turtle doves, 
And a partridge in a pear tree. 
 

Turtle Doves refers to the Old and New Testaments


On the third day of Christmas, 
my true love sent to me 
Three French hens, 
Two turtle doves, 
And a partridge in a pear tree. 
 

French Hens refers to Faith, Hope and Love


On the fourth day of Christmas, 
my true love sent to me 
Four calling birds, 
Three French hens, 
Two turtle doves, 
And a partridge in a pear tree. 
 

Calling Birds refers to the Four Gospels:  Matthew, Mark, Luke & John

 

On the fifth day of Christmas, 
my true love sent to me 
Five golden rings, 
Four calling birds, 
Three French hens, 
Two turtle doves, 
And a partridge in a pear tree. 
 

Golden Rings refers to the first Five Books of the Old Testament,

the "Pentateuch",  which gives the history of man's fall from grace


On the sixth day of Christmas, 
my true love sent to me 
Six geese a-laying, 
Five golden rings, 
Four calling birds, 
Three French hens, 
Two turtle doves, 
And a partridge in a pear tree. 
 

The six geese a-laying stands for the six days of creation


On the seventh day of Christmas, 
my true love sent to me 
Seven swans a-swimming, 
Six geese a-laying, 
Five golden rings, 
Four calling birds, 
Three French hens, 
Two turtle doves, 
And a partridge in a pear tree. 
 

Swans A-swimming refers to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments:  Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, & Mercy


On the eighth day of Christmas, 
my true love sent to me 
Eight maids a-milking, 
Seven swans a-swimming, 
Six geese a-laying, 
Five golden rings, 
Four calling birds, 
Three French hens, 
Two turtle doves, 
And a partridge in a pear tree. 
 

Maids A-milking refers to the eight beatitudes


On the ninth day of Christmas, 
my true love sent to me 
Nine ladies dancing, 
Eight maids a-milking, 
Seven swans a-swimming, 
Six geese a-laying, 
Five golden rings, 
Four calling birds, 
Three French hens, 
Two turtle doves, 
And a partridge in a pear tree. 
 

Nine ladies dancing are the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit:

Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, & Self Control


On the tenth day of Christmas, 
my true love sent to me 
Ten lords a-leaping, 
Nine ladies dancing, 
Eight maids a-milking, 
Seven swans a-swimming, 
Six geese a-laying, 
Five golden rings, 
Four calling birds, 
Three French hens, 
Two turtle doves, 
And a partridge in a pear tree. 
 

Lords A-leaping refers to the ten commandments


On the eleventh day of Christmas, 
my true love sent to me 
Eleven pipers piping, 
Ten lords a-leaping, 
Nine ladies dancing, 
Eight maids a-milking, 
Seven swans a-swimming, 
Six geese a-laying, 
Five golden rings, 
Four calling birds, 
Three French hens, 
Two turtle doves, 
And a partridge in a pear tree. 
 

Pipers Piping refers to the eleven faithful Apostles


On the twelfth day of Christmas, 
my true love sent to me 
Twelve drummers drumming, 
Eleven pipers piping, 
Ten lords a-leaping, 
Nine ladies dancing, 
Eight maids a-milking, 
Seven swans a-swimming, 
Six geese a-laying, 
Five golden rings, 
Four calling birds, 
Three French hens, 
Two turtle doves, 
And a partridge in a pear tree!
 
 

Drummers Drumming refers to the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed:

 

 

1. I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:

2. And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord:

3. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary:

4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried: He descended into hell:

5. The third day he rose again from the dead:

6. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty:

7. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead:

8. I believe in the Holy Ghost:

9. I believe in the holy catholic church: the communion of saints:

10. The forgiveness of sins:

11. The resurrection of the body:

12. And the life everlasting.

 

Amen

 

This Christmas, we pray:

  • that the love of Jesus be born in your heart,

  • that the peace of God shine down upon you and your family, and

  • that you are blessed with health, wealth, and knowledge.

 

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

 

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