THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

                This year, the Fourth Sunday of Advent falls on Christmas Eve. The Christmas season officially begins when we celebrate the birth of our Savior and continues until the Feast of Epiphany. These days came to be known as the 12 Days of Christmas.

                Most people are familiar with the song the 12 Days of Christmas. However, it is more than a song. It originated as a teaching tool to help people learn the important aspects of the Christian faith. The days were celebrated in Europe since before the Middle Ages and were a time of celebration. The Twelfth Night was a celebration of people holding large parties. At the start of the Twelfth Night the Twelfth Night cake was eaten. This was a rich cake made with eggs and butter, fruit, nuts and spices. The modern Italian Panettone is the cake we currently have that is the most like the old Twelfth Night cake.

                Each of the 12 gifts has a special meaning for the Christian faith: A Partridge in a Pear Tree is Jesus The Christ; Two Turtle Doves is God’s self-revelation in history and creation; Three French Hens are the Theological Virtues of Faith, Hope, and Love; Four Calling Birds are the Four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John; Five Gold Rings are the first Five Books of the Old Testament-Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy; Six Geese-A-laying are the six days of creation; Seven Swans A-swimming are the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit; Eight Maids A-milking are the eight Beatitudes; Nine Ladies Dancing are the fruits of the Holy Spirit; Ten Lords A-leaping are the ten commandments; Eleven Pipers Piping are the Eleven Faithful Apostles; and Twelve Drummers Drumming are the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles’ Creed.

                Each day is also associated with a special feast day. Let us rejoice and be glad that we have these beautiful days of celebration. May your Christmas celebrations be filled with God’s many blessings.