HISTORIC 12 Days of Christmas

Despite its standing as a Christmas standard for carolers and the Muppets, this fun tune has a cryptic past. Who knew?

Evidently, the year of 1558 A.D. was critical for England's royal family who did not share religious faith nor sisterly affection. For the next 270 years, Roman Catholics were persecuted and not permitted to practice their religion. Rumor has it someone wrote the little Christmas ditty so Catholic children would learn important doctrinal tenets on the sly.

I am not Catholic, but I sure can appreciate parents taking a positive, spiritual role by employing a creative teaching and memorization method for their children. Check it out:

"On the first day of Christmas my TRUE LOVE gave to me a PARTRIDGE in a PEAR TREE."

Our "True Love" who is the living and loving Heavenly Father (a/k/a God) and gave His Son, Jesus Christ, as the means of redemption on an old, rugged cross or --for the secret code of the carol-- the "Partridge in a Pear Tree."

And, so, the symbolism continues...

Two Turtle Doves = the Old and New Testaments
Three French Hens = Faith, Hope and Love
Four Calling Birds = Four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
Five Gold Rings =  First Books of the Old Testament known as the Pentateuch
Six Geese a'Laying = Six Days of Creation
Seven Swans a'Swimming = Sevenfold Ministry Gifts found in Romans 12
Eight Maids a'Milking = Beatitudes
Nine Ladies Dancing = Nine Fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5
Ten Lords a'Leaping = Ten Commandments
Eleven Pipers Piping = Eleven Faithful Disciples
Twelve Drummers Drumming = Twelve Points of the Catholic "Apostle's Creed"

Pretty cool, argued history lesson, huh? 

This reminds me of when God had given the Ten Commandments to Moses, who instructs the Israelites to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and strength. Memorize His laws and teach them to your children over and over again" (Deuteronomy 6:5-7).

Let me encourage you to be the spiritual teacher in your home challenging your children to memorize Scripture and to develop a personal relationship with God, our "True Love."

For God so loved the World in this way:

He gave His One and Only Son,

So that everyone who believes in Him

Will not perish, but have eternal life!

John 3:16

~"Sam"