The Twelve Days of Christmas
Dennis Bratcher
The Twelve Days of Christmas is probably the most misunderstood part
of the church year among Christians who are not part of liturgical
church traditions. Contrary to much popular belief, these are not the
twelve days before Christmas, but in most of the Western Church are the
twelve days from Christmas until the beginning of Epiphany (January 6th;
the 12 days count from December 25th until January 5th).
In some traditions, the first day of Christmas begins on the evening
of December 25th with the following day considered the First Day of
Christmas (December 26th). In these traditions, the twelve days begin
December 26 and include Epiphany on January 6.
The origin and counting of the Twelve Days is complicated, and is
related to differences in calendars, church traditions, and ways to
observe this holy day in various cultures (see Christmas). In the
Western church, Epiphany is usually celebrated as the time the Wise Men
or Magi arrived to present gifts to the young Jesus (Matt. 2:1-12).
Traditionally there were three Magi, probably from the fact of three
gifts, even though the biblical narrative never says how many Magi came.
In some cultures, especially Hispanic and Latin American culture,
January 6th is observed as Three Kings Day, or simply the Day of the
Kings (Span: la Fiesta de Reyes, el Dia de los Tres Reyes, or el Dia de
los Reyes Magos; Dutch: Driekoningendag).
Even though December 25th is celebrated as Christmas in these
cultures, January 6th is often the day for giving gifts. In some places
it is traditional to give Christmas gifts for each of the Twelve Days of
Christmas. Since Eastern Orthodox traditions use a different religious
calendar, they celebrate Christmas on January 7th and observe Epiphany
or Theophany on January 19th.
By the 16th century, some European and Scandinavian cultures had
combined the Twelve Days of Christmas with (sometimes pagan) festivals
celebrating the changing of the year. These were usually associated with
driving away evil spirits for the start of the new year.
The Twelfth Night is January 5th, the last day of the Christmas
Season before Epiphany (January 6th). In some church traditions, January
5th is considered the eleventh Day of Christmas, while the evening of
January 5th is still counted as the Twelfth Night, the beginning of the
Twelfth day of Christmas the following day.
Twelfth Night often included feasting along with the removal of
Christmas decorations. French and English celebrations of Twelfth Night
included a King's Cake, remembering the visit of the Three Magi, and ale
or wine (a King's Cake is part of the observance of Mardi Gras in French
Catholic culture of the Southern USA). In some cultures, the King's Cake
was part of the celebration of the day of Epiphany.
The popular song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is usually seen as
simply a nonsense song for children. However, some have suggested that
it is a song of Christian instruction dating to the 16th century
religious wars in England, with hidden references to the basic teachings
of the Faith.
They contend that it was a mnemonic device to teach the catechism to
youngsters. The "true love" mentioned in the song is not an earthly
suitor, but refers to God Himself.
The "me" who receives the presents refers to every baptized person
who is part of the Christian Faith. Each of the "days" represents some
aspect of the Christian Faith that was important for children to learn.
However, many have questioned the historical accuracy of this origin
of the song The Twelve Days of Christmas. It seems that some have made
an issue out of trying to debunk this as an "urban myth," some in the
name of historical accuracy and some out of personal agendas. There is
little "hard" evidence available either way.
Some church historians affirm this account as basically accurate,
while others point out apparent historical discrepancies. However, the
"evidence" on both sides is mostly in logical deduction and
probabilities.
One internet site devoted to debunking hoaxes and legends says that,
"there is no substantive evidence to demonstrate that the song 'The
Twelve Days of Christmas' was created or used as a secret means of
preserving tenets of the Catholic faith, or that this claim is anything
but a fanciful modern day speculation. . .." What is omitted is that
there is no "substantive evidence" that will disprove it either.
It is certainly possible that this view of the song is legendary or
anecdotal. Without corroboration and in the absence of "substantive
evidence," we probably should not take rigid positions on either side
and turn the song into a crusade for personal opinions. That would do
more to violate the spirit of Christmas than the song is worth. So, for
the sake of historical accuracy, we need to acknowledge this
uncertainty.
However, on another level, this uncertainty should not prevent us
from using the song in celebration of Christmas. Many of the symbols of
Christianity were not originally religious, including even the present
date of Christmas, but were appropriated from contemporary culture by
the Christian Faith as vehicles of worship and proclamation.
Perhaps, when all is said and done, historical accuracy is not really
the point. Perhaps more important is that Christians can celebrate their
rich heritage, and God's grace, through one more avenue this Christmas.
Now, when they hear what they once thought was a secular "nonsense
song," they will be reminded in one more way of the grace of God working
in transforming ways in their lives and in our world. After all, is that
not the meaning of Christmas anyway?
(Click on a picture below to go to a devotional for that day)
On the 1st day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
A Partridge in a Pear Tree
The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus the Christ, the Son of God,
whose birthday we celebrate on December 25, the first day of Christmas.
In the song, Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge that
feigns injury to decoy predators from her helpless nestlings, recalling
the expression of Christ's sadness over the fate of Jerusalem:
"Jerusalem! Jerusalem! How often would I have sheltered you under my
wings, as a hen does her chicks, but you would not have it so . . . ."
(Luke 13:34)
On the 2nd day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Two Turtle Doves
The Old and New Testaments, which together bear witness to God's
self-revelation in history and the creation of a people to tell the
Story of God to the world.
On the 3rd day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Three French Hens
The Three Theological Virtues: 1) Faith, 2) Hope, and 3) Love (1
Corinthians 13:13)
On the 4th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Four Calling Birds
The Four Gospels: 1) Matthew, 2) Mark, 3) Luke, and 4) John, which
proclaim the Good News of God's reconciliation of the world to Himself
in Jesus Christ.
On the 5th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Five Gold Rings
The first Five Books of the Old Testament, known as the Torah or the
Pentateuch: 1) Genesis, 2) Exodus, 3) Leviticus, 4) Numbers, and 5)
Deuteronomy, which gives the history of humanity's sinful failure and
God's response of grace in the creation of a people to be a light to the
world.
On the 6th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Six Geese A-laying
The six days of creation that confesses God as Creator and Sustainer
of the world (Genesis 1).
On the 7th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Seven Swans A-swimming
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; cf. 1 Corinthians 12:8-11)
On the 8th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Eight Maids A-milking
The eight Beatitudes: 1) Blessed are the poor in spirit, 2) those who
mourn, 3) the meek, 4) those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, 5)
the merciful, 6) the pure in heart, 7) the peacemakers, 8) those who are
persecuted for righteousness' sake. (Matthew 5:3-10)
On the 9th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Nine Ladies Dancing
The nine Fruit of the Holy Spirit: 1) love, 2) joy, 3) peace, 4)
patience, 5) kindness,
6) generosity, 7) faithfulness, 8) gentleness, and 9) self-control.
(Galatians 5:22) On the 10th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Ten Lords A-leaping
The ten commandments: 1) You shall have no other gods before me; 2)
Do not make an idol; 3) Do not take God's name in vain; 4) Remember the
Sabbath Day; 5) Honor your father and mother; 6) Do not murder; 7) Do
not commit adultery; 8) Do not steal; 9)
Do not bear false witness; 10) Do not covet. (Exodus 20:1-17)
On the 11th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Eleven Pipers Piping
The eleven Faithful Apostles: 1) Simon Peter, 2) Andrew, 3) James, 4)
John, 5) Philip, 6) Bartholomew, 7) Matthew, 8) Thomas, 9) James bar
Alphaeus, 10) Simon the Zealot, 11) Judas bar James. (Luke 6:14-16). The
list does not include the twelfth disciple, Judas Iscariot who betrayed
Jesus to the religious leaders and the Romans.
On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Twelve Drummers Drumming
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. He descended into hell [the grave]. 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. |