The Twelve Days of Christmas – MERRY CHRISTMAS!

TToday is December 30th – which means it’s the 6th day of Christmas. A few days ago, upon my return home from Austin, I said in my post that I was going to start taking down my Christmas décor the next day. The inspiration came when my Austin Family were heading out of town for several days and they wanted to come home to a back-to-normal atmosphere. It would feel great for them not to face the de-Christmasing of their home upon return. We pitched in and succeeded!

That was my plan, too, until my BFF, Sheila Michie, commented on my post "Enjoy all 12 days of Christmas -- today's only the 4th day!" I checked out what she said, and it was true!! We’re still in the 12 Days of Christmas!! I quickly posted a retraction that I was holding off to savor in the flavors and favors of Christmas until the end of the 12 days. Here is the result of my research:

The "12 Days of Christmas" are the 12 days between Christmas Day, December 25th, the birth of Jesus, and January 6th, Epiphany -- the day Christians celebrate the arrival of the Magi (Wise Men) and the revelation of Christ as the Light of the world.

During the 15th to 18th centuries in England, it was a crime to be Catholic and they were prohibited from any practice of their faith by law -- private or public. Anyone caught with religious books or writings would be severely punished -- imprisonment, hanging or a beheaded. The song, “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” was written during that time of religious persecution. It was a kind of secret summary and memory tool of the principles of Christian beliefs that could be sung in public without fear of arrest.

In the song, the "true love" mentioned doesn't refer to an earthly lover. It refers to the "True Love" of God the Father, the greatest Giver. The “me” who receives the gift refers to all believers in Christ. Christ is presented as a mother partridge who fakes injury to lure predators from her helpless nestlings, much in memory of the expression of Christ's sadness over the fate of Jerusalem: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me..." Matthew 23:37.

Each line in the song is a code word for a religious truth:

1. The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus.

2. The two turtledoves are the Old and New Testaments.

3. Three French hens stand for faith, hope and love.

4. The four calling birds are the four Gospels.

5. The five gold rings recall the Hebrew Torah (Law), or the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament.

6. The six geese a-laying stand for the six days of creation.

7. The seven swans a-swimming represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.

8. The eight maids a-milking are the eight Beatitudes.

9. The nine ladies dancing are the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit.

10. The ten lords a-leaping are the Ten Commandments.

11. Eleven pipers piping represent the eleven faithful Apostles.

12. Twelve drummers drumming symbolize the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles Creed.

The Twelve Days of Christmas give us a reason to celebrate and exchange gifts. This old-fashioned approach to gift-giving eventually gave way to today's practice of exchanging gifts on Christmas Day.

So, I'm back to breathing in the "Oh Holy Night" of Christmas for a few more days. I'll bask in the 12 Days of Christmas – savoring the atmosphere as long as I can. I've resisted the urge to run out to the After-Christmas sales. As a matter of fact, the cold weather beckons the fireplace to be blazing, wearing the cozy attire and staying inside to experience THE Presence of Emmanuel -- God with us. I'm having a loving affair with the Lover in the song, and the Partridge in the Pear Tree. I'm journaling, reading, and embracing the moments, while preparing for a new year of serving, loving and giving. I pray that you, too, are experiencing Christmas peace and joy a few more days.

In the words of Paul Harvey…..”and now you know the REST of the STORY!" You’re welcome!