On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me... Happy almost Christmas! I pray that everyone has had a wonderful Advent!
Last year, one of our RCIA team members brought up the popular song The Twelve Days of Christmas, and, not having reflected before on what Jesus saw, the same applies for this song. Did you know that this song was written for the twelve days AFTER Christmas happened?! Needless to say, I was stunned and super excited to dive deeper into this new revelation!
If you do not remember the lyrics, here is a refresher, and it is almost ok to belt out this song at the top of our lungs! The theory behind why this song was created dates back to England between the 1500s and 1800s when Catholics were not allowed to be Catholic, or talk about the Catholic faith. It has been referred to as the underground Catechism to remind us of the different main points in our faith.
They go as…
The partridge in the pear tree, naturally, represents Jesus Christ.
The partridge in the pear tree, naturally, represents Jesus Christ.
2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments
3 French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues
4 Calling Birds = the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
5 Golden Rings = The first Five Books of the Old Testament, the “Pentateuch,” which gives the history of man’s fall from grace
6 Geese A-laying = the six days of creation
7 Swans A-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments
8 Maids A-milking = the eight beatitudes
9 Ladies Dancing = the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
10 Lords A-leaping = the ten commandments
11 Pipers Piping = the eleven faithful apostles
12 Drummers Drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle’s Creed
What are your thoughts? Did you know this too, or were you as stunned and fascinated as I was? If I had known this many moons ago, it would have been the first thing I taught to families and parishioners to remind us of all the many blessings that are part of our faith.
I do not know about you, but this gives me a refreshed viewpoint on the waiting we do for the Wise Men to come to the stable and give their gifts to Jesus on Epiphany.
Even though we have about a week left of Advent before Christmas, how are you and/or your family going to celebrate these last few days? How are you preparing for Epiphany? How can you go out with a bang and give this glorious season the attention it deserves? Regardless, enjoy these last few weeks of 2021. We look forward to seeing you in 2022!
