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.
Many European 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 with secular origins. However, some have
suggested that it is a song of Christian instruction, perhaps dating to the 16th
century religious wars in England, with hidden references to the basic
teachings of the Christian 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.
While some have tried to debunk this as an "urban myth" out of personal
agendas, others have tried to deal with this account of the song's origin in the name of historical accuracy
(see
Snopes
on The 12 Days of Christmas). There is little "hard" evidence available either
way. Some church historians affirm this account as basically
accurate, while others point out apparent historical and logical discrepancies.
However, we need to acknowledge that the "evidence" on both sides is mostly in logical deduction and
probabilities. Lack of positive evidence does not automatically provide
negative evidence. 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, in fact probable, 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 the likelihood that the song had secular origins.
However, on another level, this 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 only 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 5:22-23)
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.
Epiphany,
January 6
Graphics for the Twelve Days of Christmas by The Twelve Days of Christmas.
Thanks to Yvonne Edwards for suggesting this page and finding the graphics.
-
Dennis Bratcher, Copyright ©
2011, Dennis
Bratcher, All Rights Reserved
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