THOUGHTS FOR THE WEEK.
There are a lot of songs that have become part of our culture and Christmas celebration. I think of the song: ‘The Twelve days of Christmas’. Many do not realise that the song originally was intended to teach certain Biblical truths to young people.
There was a period of time in England when Christians were not able to practice their faith openly,
so they had to find other ways to pass on their beliefs. The Twelve Days of Christmas is one example -and this how it went:
On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me. The ‘true love’ represents God, and ‘me’>
represents those who are Christians and have received God’s gifts.
‘Partridge in a pear tree’ represented Jesus who died on a tree as a gift from God. The cross being hewn from wood.
‘Two turtle doves’ were the Old and New Testaments, another gift from God.
‘Three French hens’ represented faith hope and love.
‘Four calling birds’ spoke of the 4 Gospels that tell the story of our salvation.
‘Five gold rings’ spoke of the first five books of the OT.
‘Six geese a laying’ spoke of the days of Creation. On the 7th day God rested.
‘Seven swans a swimming’ speaks of the 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit.
‘Eight maids a milking’ speak of the 8 Beatitudes.
‘Nine ladies dancing’ speak of the 9 fruits of the Holy Spirit.
‘Ten Lords a leaping’ speak of the ten commandments.
‘Eleven pipers piping’ speak of the 11 faithful disciples.
‘Twelve drummers drumming’ speak of the 12 Apostles.
It may not be a ‘white Christmas’ but if we dwell a little on the meaning behind this loved song, I suggest we will have a ‘Right Christmas’.
May you all be blessed and those you love in this holy season and may 2024 be a healthy year for
us all!
© Revd Peter 2023.
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