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"

HIGH-LOW

During one rough season of my childhood, my mom was married to a man who did not like table conversation during meals. This was difficult for me for two reasons: (1) Prior to him our family gatherings had always involved laughter and talk of daily life and (2) I was a "chatty-patty."  While living in Scotland, my step-father worked a 30-days-on/off schedule in the North Sea as First Mate on a tugboat taking men and supplies back and forth from the oil rigs. It was while he was away, Momma, my little brother and I would have fun meal-time exchanges, once again. After we returned stateside and the marriage dissolved, laughter and conversation were welcomed back to the family dinner table! 

It is my opinion food does not digest well, when you are nervous, sad or feel intimidated. Your appetite is better when life is happy and relaxed. It is for this very reason, our family started "High-Low" at dinner time when Dane was in elementary school. 

High-Low is when each member of the family shares a high experience and a low experience for that day. The rules are simple: Everyone participates, poop-talk is not banned (unless someone has a weak stomach) and family members are not to interrupt -- except for laughter. It's a way for family members to engage.

During our summers as Tennessee Youth/Student Directors at Camp Jackson, our staff, known as the Crunk Crew, would participate in High-Low after "Devo" (devotion) usually after the campers had gone to bed and the facility prepared for the next day. Twelve staffers would pile into our bedroom located in the lower level directly under the wooden dining hall floor. Sometimes, they found it easy to come up with a low, but many times they would substitute it with two highs! If I would forget to do High-Low, they would remind me or wait until after the Thursday evening S'mores Bonfire when the campers were in the cabins. It was always a favorite and intimate time for each of us. 

Create memories. Start a tradition. All ages can participate. It can happen around a table, at bedtime devo, in a car, or anywhere the "family" gathers to get conversation going! 

~"Sam"