Happy second day of Christmas.
"Oh yeah, that song. Twelve days of Christmas? Why do they talk about 12 days when there is only one Christmas Day? Doesn't make sense."
Well, Christmas is both a day and a season. That's right—we're only on Day 2 today. It lasts 12 days in total.
The leadup to Christmas is called Advent. We are now in the midst of the Christmas season and will be "in season" through January 5.
If you're wondering about it, don't worry, most people have been propagandized to believe December is "Christmas Season." That's just not the case. Only the last week is.
December 25, Christmas Day, simply starts "Christmas."
Frankly, if I were in charge, most of the parties and such should be happening now, instead. The "Holiday Party Season" is all too long and not particularly focused unless we're talking Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, or New Year's, specifically.
So, back to the 12 days. Consider celebrating Christmas during the Christmas season rather than before it. Only makes sense.
Now, The Twelve Days of Christmas is one of the most famous Christmas carols ever written. It has been sung for a great many years and is known the world over.
To most, it is a delightful hymn. But it was originally created with a serious intent.
See, in England (and in Great Britain and Ireland, generally), between the years of 1558 and 1829, it was illegal to practice Catholicism either in public or private. It was essentially a crime to be Catholic during those years.
The Twelve Days of Christmas was written to help preserve the traditions of the Catholic faith during the years that the Crown and Parliament banned Catholicism in England. So… the song is steeped in symbolism.
The fact that it is so well-known throughout the world is a testament to the faith of Catholics and the timeless truth of Catholic doctrine.
The symbols contained in the song are:
1st verse “True Love” refers to God.
2nd verse “2 Turtle Doves” refers to the Old and New Testaments.
3rd verse “3 French Hens” refers to Faith, Hope, and Charity.
4th verse “4 Calling Birds” refers to the Four Gospels or the Four Evangelists.
5th verse “5 Golden Rings” refers to the first five Books of the Old Testament.
6th verse “6 Geese-a-laying” refers to the six days of creation.
7th verse “7 Swans-a-swimming” refers to the seven sacraments.
8th verse “8 Maids-a-milking” refers to the eight beatitudes.
9th verse “9 Ladies dancing” refers to the nine fruits of the Holy Ghost.
10th verse “10 Lords-a-leaping” refers to the Ten Commandments.
11th verse “11 Pipers piping” refers to the eleven faithful apostles.
12th verse “12 Drummers drumming” refers to the twelve points of the Apostles creed.
I love this song. It is one of my favorite Christmas carols, yet I still don't think I can count it as my favorite Christmas song—I'll have to go with something from Elvis there.
The shock came when I didn't know about all the symbols contained in the song until I did a search for the song lyrics one afternoon. How interesting that a song that some of us know so well could contain so many hidden meanings.
I never considered that it was anything more than lovely Christmas carol (that I didn't understand).
It is nice to learn something new, especially when it is about Christmas.
Merry Christmas.
As always,
Brian
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