Behind the Twelve Days

I've been reading a book called Stories Behind The Great Traditions Of Christmas By Ace Collins. This book is full of explanations of how and why we celebrate the season the way we do. I find this kind of thing interesting. Any way I thought you mite be interested in the story of the Twelve days of Christmas. I was quite surprised.

 

In sixteenth century England all religions except the one of the King were outlawed. To practice another faith could mean prison or death, so the Catholic clerics of the time created poems that were written in code. Now the code translated.

 

First the Twelve Days of Christmas started on Christmas day and ran to the January 5th, Epiphany.

 

The words "My true love: is code for God. So these are gifts from God.

 

A Partridge in a pear tree Stands for Jesus, remember the first day is Christmas. And a partridge is used because a partridge will die to defend its young.

 

2 turtle doves... the Old and New Testament.

 

3 french hens... Faith, Hope and Love.

 

4 calling birds... the four Gospels- Mathew, Mark, Luke and John

 

5 golden rings... the first five books of the Old Testament-The Pentateuch

 

6 geese a laying... the six days of creation

 

7 swans a swimming.. the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit- prophecy,ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, leading and compassion.

 

8 maids a milking...  8 people who are blessed- the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure of heart, the peacemakers and those persecuted for righteousness sake.

 

9 ladies dancing... the 9 fruits of the spirit-love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentelness and self-control.

 

10 lords a leaping... lords were also the judges, judges keep the law, Ten Comandments.

 

11 pipers piping... the eleven disciples

 

12 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.

5. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again.

6. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

7. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

8. I believe in the Holy Spirit,

9. the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints,

10. the forgiveness of sins,

11. the resurrection of the body,

12. and the life everlasting.

So there you have it. The meaning to the song The Twelve Days of Christmas.

 

Remember this is from,Stories Behind The Great Traditions Of Christmas By Ace Collins.

 

A Good Hare Day

Easter Morning: as I look out my back window, glancing over the yard and into my neighbors back yard, where the neighbors children are collecting eggs. That no doubt were put there by Grandma or perhaps Mom. I am able to tell that something has gone amiss with there  Easter festivities. Curios, I wander  outside to eaves drop on there conversation.

 It seems that all the eggs can't be found. They have gone over the yard several times and they are still missing an even dozen eggs. Now one or two eggs, even three or four, this I could call understandable. But an even dozen,
hard to believe. How hard does this neighbor hide these eggs?

Now from my vantage point I see a curios thing, perhaps not curios in itself. but given the day and what happened next, well  I leave it to you. I am just stating the facts. Now as I was saying from my vantage point I see a rabbit. Just your run of the mill average rabbit. Run into my neighbors bushes, at quite a rapid speed. Not twenty seconds later I hear one of the children exclaim that they found one of the missing eggs. And the eggs continue to be found in the yard in rapid succession. all except one.

At about this time I see the rabbit leave the bushes just as quickly as he came. Again I say nothing unusual about a rabbit running out of some bushes.

I found that last egg where the rabbit left the bushes.

To quote Alice from her adventures in wonderland "Curiouser and Curiouser".