12 Days of Christmas
Deut. 6:4-9
Intro. One of the responsibly of parents is to teach their children about the Lord.
-It is also part of the great commission.
Matthew 29:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
In England it became illegal for some groups(especially Catholics) to teach about God or the Bible. (1558-1829)
So a song was written to help children remember that things they needed to learn to be obedient Christians and good members of the Church.
The song was "The12 Days of Christmas"
Many believe it to be a silly song of things given to “my true love”
However, the “True love” in the song is actually speaking of God and His love.
(Sing Song)
Over the years a few of the items and the order was changed.
Each of the 12 Days represented an important doctrine, or passage a Scripture that they were to learn.
12 days actually come after Christmas; from Christmas Day to Epiphany. Or when it is believed the wise men came. 3 Kings Day.
Lets look at them one by one, starting with 12.
There is some question as to the truth of this story.
I. On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to meTwelve Drummers Drumming
The twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle’s 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 catholicChurch,
9) The communion of saints,
10) The forgiveness of sins, 11) the resurrection of the body,
12) and life everlasting.
II. 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 Romans.
III. On the 10th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...Ten Lords A-leaping
The Ten Commandments: (Exodus 20:1-17)
IV. On the 9th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...Nine Ladies Dancing
The nine Fruit of the Holy Spirit:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.. (Galatians 5:22-23)
V. 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)
VI. 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) administration, and 7) showing mercy. (Romans 12:6-8; cf. 1 Corinthians 12:8-11)
VII. 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).
VIII. On the 5th day of Christmas my true love gave to me... Five Gold Rings
NOTE: The last six were actually birds.
The original song identified these as ring-necked
pheasants.
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.
IX. On the 4th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...Four Calling Birds
These were actually Colly birds, a black bird common to England.
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.
X. On the 3rd day of Christmas my true love gave to me...Three French Hens
1) Faith, 2) Hope, and 3) Love (1 Corinthians 13:13)
XI. 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.
XII. 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 Christ, the Son of God,
In the song, Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge feigns injury or even death in order to protect her young.
It ends with the Gospel.
The death and resurrection of Jesus.
After all. Isn’t that what Christmas is all about.
Source: http://www.cresourcei.org/cy12days.html
