12 Days of Christmas

Christmas isn't over. In fact, Christmas can be all year if you acknowledge Jesus' existence, and let him help you live better in your present moments. Eternity exists in every moment we live consciously present to God.

We are now in the 12 Days of Christmas which was originally celebrated between Christmas and Epiphany, which is when the Magi are remembered as part of the story. There are many interpretations floating around out there, but I like this one: that the song was written with hidden meanings to the basic teachings of the Faith - maybe during a time of persecution.

The 1st Day of Christmas my true love sent to me, a Partridge in a pear tree. A mother partridge feigns injury to decoy predators from her helpless nestlings, much in memory of Jesus' sadness when overlooking the city of Jerusalem, he said, "Jerusalem! How often I desire to shelter you under my wings, as a hen does her chicks, but you would not have it so ..." Lk 13:34.

The Two Turtle Doves on the 2nd Day of Christmas represents the Old and New Testaments which tell the story of God to all.

The 3rd Day of Christmas with the 3 French hens could be the 3 virtues in I Cor 13:13: faith, hope, and love. But I think of our Triune God - the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

On the 4th Day of Christmas ... 4 calling birds. We have 4 gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John - all proclaiming the Good News that the potential of redemption in Jesus exists for everything.

The 5th Day is the 5 golden rings. The Penta(5)teuch has 5 books of the history of creation including humanity and God's covenants of grace to cover our sin, and God calling us to live as separate, peculiar people - Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

6 geese a-laying represents the 6 days of creation with God speaking the world into existence and always saying, "It is good."

7 swans a-swimming - the 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit. (Revelation 1:4 talks of the sevenfold fullness of the Spirit, so I hang seven descending doves on Pentecost Day.) The gifts of the spirit are: prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, leading, and compassion (Rom 12:6-8, ICor 12:8-11, and Eph 4:7-16)

8 maids a-milking - the beatitudes (Matt 5:3-10)

With 9 ladies dancing we have the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy,peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal5:22).

10 lords a-leaping are the 10 commandments in Ex 10:1-17.

11 pipers piping could be the faithful apostles. (Could we possibly see Judas in Heaven?!)

And the 12th Day of Christmas is 12 drummers drumming representing the 12 points of 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. 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) and the holy catholic church, 9) the communion of saints, 10) the forgiveness of sins, 11) the resurrection of the body, 12) and life everlasting.