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Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Origin Of The 12 Days Of Christmas and Facts About The 12 Days Of Christmas

Source : http://www.squidoo.com/The_Twelve_Days_Of_Christmas

"The Twelve Days of Christmas" is a childrens rhyme originally published in a book calledMirth without Mischief in London around 1780.

The song was originally written in French it was translated into English in 16th century.

It was originally a memory and forfeits game played by children. Each person took their turns to say the verse of the song by adding the previous verse. If someone forgot or missed the verse they had to do a forfeit.

~ The Twelve Days of Christmas is a Traditional Christmas Song or Christmas Carol.
~ The song has allegory in it, which represents the religious meanings present in Christianity.
~ The song is a cumulative song which means each verse is built on top of the previous verses.
~ The song has got different lyrics.
~ The song has got many parodies.
~ The song is one of the most popular and most recorded Christmas songs in America and Europe.
~ Urban legend has it that from 1558 to 1829 Roman Catholics in England were forbidden to practice their beliefs openly. The song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" was written as a "Catechism Song" to teach the catholic children.
Many argue that the legend is not true because
1- The teachings were common in both Church of Rome and the Church of England.
2- The song's origin is France and not England.

In the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" the song makes us to think that on each day of Christmas a lover gives the gifts.

The song "12 Days of Christmas starts like this

On the first day of Christmas, 
my true love
 sent to
me. . .


But, the passage My True Love refers to God and Me refers to a baptized person.



 Partridge In A Pear Tree

~ On The First Day Of Christmas

Partridge In A Pear Tree, On The First Day Of Christmas
The Partridge refers to Jesus Christ. 

Jesus Christ is symbolically represented as a mother partridge that protects its nestling by fighting with its predators although it gets injured.

"I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.
John 10:14-15

~ Partridge is a bird which fights to death with its predator to protect its nestling.
~ In the song the first gift is a bird called partridge. Christmas is celebrated as birth of Jesus Christ, Who is a gift to the mankind from God.

Two Turtle Doves

~ On The Second Day Of Christmas

Two Turtle Doves, On The Second Day Of Christmas
Two Turtle Doves refers The Old and New Testaments. 

The Old and New Testaments bears the creation and manifestation of God to mankind.

~ The Turtle Dove is believed to have only one partner for life.





Three French Hens

~ On The Third Day Of Christmas

Three French Hens, On The Third Day Of Christmas
Three French hens refers to Faith, Hope and Love.

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three, but the greatest of these three is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13

~ Faith, Hope and Love are the three Theological Virtues.





Four Calling Birds

- On The Fourth Day Of Christmas


Four calling birds refers to the four gospels or the four Evangelist. 

The Four Gospels:
1) Matthew,
2) Mark,
3) Luke and
4) John.


Like the birds calling distinctively these four gospels teach us distinctively that Jesus Christ is our Savior. It teaches Jesus Christ ministry life on this earth.


Five Golden Rings

~ On The Fifth Day Of Christmas

Five Golden Rings,  On The Fifth Day Of Christmas
Five golden rings refers the first five books of the Bible. 

The first Five Books of the Old Testament in the Holy bible is also known as the Torah or the Pentateuch:
1) Genesis,
2) Exodus,
3) Leviticus,
4) Numbers, and
5) Deuteronomy,

These books were written by Moses. Gold is an expensive and valuable metal likewise these five books has got many valuable teachings.




Six Geese A-Laying

- On The Sixth Day Of Christmas

Six Geese A-Laying, On The Sixth Day Of Christmas
Six geese a-laying refers to the six days of creation. 

DAY 1: Light and Darkness
DAY 2: Heaven
DAY 3: Earth, Seas, Vegetation
DAY 4: Sun, Moon, Stars
DAY 5: Fish, Birds
DAY 6: Animals and Man to rule over them
Genesis 1:1-30



Seven Swans A-Swimming

~ On The Seventh Day Of Christmas

Seven Swans A-Swimming, On The Seventh Day Of Christmas
Seven swans a-swimming refers to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.

The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit:
1) Prophecy,
2) Ministry,
3) Teaching,
4) Exhortation,
5) Giving,
6) Leading, and
7) Compassion

Romans 12:6-8

Baby swans (an ugly duckling) grows to become a beautiful swan likewise Christian growth is when they practice the gift of Holy Spirit.

Eight Maids A-Milking

~ On The Eighth Day Of christmas

Eight Maids A-Milking, On The Eighth Day Of christmas
Eight maids a-milking refers to the Beatitudes . 

The eight Beatitudes:
1) Blessed are the poor in spirit,
            For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
2) Blessed are those who mourn,
            For they shall be comforted.
3) Blessed are the meek,
            For they shall inherit the earth.
4) Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
            For they shall be filled.
5) Blessed are the merciful,
            For they shall obtain mercy.
6) Blessed are the pure in heart,
            For they shall see God.
7) Blessed are the peacemakers,
            For they shall be called sons of God.
8) Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake,
            For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:3-10

The Beatitudes was taught by Jesus Christ. If we drink milk it nourishes our health in the same way the Beatitudes nourishes our spiritual life when we follow it.

Nine Ladies Dancing

~ On The Ninth Day Of Christmas

Nine Ladies Dancing, On The Ninth Day Of Christmas
Nine ladies dancing refers to The nine fruits of the Holy Spirit. 

The nine Fruit of the Holy Spirit:
1) Love,
2) Joy,
3) Peace,
4) Patience,
5) Kindness,
6) Goodness,
7) Faithfulness,
8) Gentleness, and
9) Self-control.

Galatians 5:22

The ladies are dancing happily. Christians are happy to produce the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit.


Ten Lords A-Leaping

~ On The Tenth Day Of Christmas

Ten Lords A-Leaping,  On The Tenth Day Of Christmas
Ten lords a-leaping refers to the Ten Commandments.

The Ten Commandments:
1) You shall have no other gods before me.
2) You shall not make for yourself an idol.
3) Do not take God's name in vain.
4) Remember the Sabbath Day by keeping it Holy.
5) Honor your father and mother.
6) You shall not murder.
7) You shall not commit adultery.
8) You shall not steal.
9) You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
10) You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbor.

Exodus 20:1-17

Eleven Pipers Piping

~ On The Eleventh Day Of Christmas

Eleven Pipers Piping, On The Eleventh Day Of Christmas
Eleven pipers piping refers the eleven faithful disciples. 

The eleven Faithful Apostles:
1) Simon Peter,
2) Andrew,
3) James,
4) John,
5) Philip,
6) Bartholomew,
7) Matthew,
8) Thomas,
9) James Alphaeus,
10) Simon Zealot,
11) Judas James

Luke 6:14-16

Jesus Christ chose twelve Apostles. Eleven were very faithful. But, Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus and he committed suicide so he is not included in this list. The Apostles followed Jesus Christ like the children following the pipers.

Twelve Drummers Drumming

~ On The Twelfth Day Of Christmas

Twelve Drummers Drumming,  On The Twelfth Day Of Christmas
Twelve drummers drumming refers to the twelve points of the apostle creed

The twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles' Creed:
1) I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
2) I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.
3) He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
4) He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
5) On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
6) He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
7) I believe in the Holy Spirit,
8) the holy Catholic Church,
9) the communion of saints,
10) the forgiveness of sins,
11) the resurrection of the body,
12) and life everlasting. Amen
.

~ The drummers drum in rhythmic mode for the marchers so that they can march forth. The Apostles' Creed is said by Christians so that they can march forth in their belief.