The Twelve Days of Christmas

Each year the Office does some fun things to celebrate the season.  There is always a food collection:  canned goods, cereal and other dry food. They have a toy or game collection.  There is a luncheon and a devotional.  This year they have divided the office into groups and each day one of the groups goes Christmas caroling on the four floors of the office.  We were in the second group.  Monday the group sang at our luncheon.  One time.  Today the group sang at the devotional. One time.  Yesterday was our group.  We went to all the floors and sang 11 times. We sang Stars Were Gleaming from the primary book.  Then we were going to sing the Kiwi 12 Days of Christmas.  I will post about them next.  I have to look up the things that you get before I talk about it.  Anyway, one of the lady's in our group was dead-set against it.  She things 12 Days is really dumb.  Stupid.  (Maybe it was because I told her I did not like Deck the Halls.)

Today, the group that sang included the Area Presidency.  They sang Christmas Bells which was lovely and then the gave us all a candy cane with a piece of paper wrapped around it.  The title on the paper:  The Meaning of  the Twelve Days of Christmas.  (I had to laugh.)

I thought I would share.  The story goes that from 1558 until 1829 people in England were not allowed to practice their faith openly. During this ear, the song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" was written as s subtle way of celebrating Christ's birth in public without rick of prosecution. The song's lyrics had a hidden meaning know only to members of the church, each element of the twelve days offering code meaning for a religion reality.

1. A partridge in a pear tree stood for Jesus Christ.

2. Two turtledoves stood for the Old and New Testaments.

3. Three French hens stood for faith, hope and charity.

4. The four calling birds were the four Gospels.

5. The five gold rings represented the first five books o the Old Testament. ..the  Law.

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

7. The seven swans a swimming stood for the sevenfold gifts of the Spirit.

8. The eight maids a-milking represented the beatitudes.

9. The nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Spirit (see Galatians 5)

10. Ten lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments

11. Eleven pipers piping stood \or the eleven faithful disciples.

12. Twelve drummers drumming symbolized the Twelve points of belief in the Apostles Creed. 

Whether or not the story is based on true  occurrences--each element of the lyrics offers a positive reason to celebrate Christianity. With the deepest meaning to contemplate, the song becomes a lighthearted anthem of praise and a tribute to those who dared celebrate their gratitude for Christ. Aren't we blessed to be able to worship the Savior without fear of harm? Maybe we should stand a little taller and be more open in sharing the gospel with those who don't yet have the truth. Aren't we blessed to have the scriptures to read and ponder? There are only a few days before December 25th. Next time you hear the Twelve Days of Christmas celebrate the blessings of being able to openly and wholeheartedly celebrate.