Twelve Days of Christmas

          Several years ago, our interim pastor, Al Fry, introduced me to an alternate form or interpretation of the Twelve Days of Christmas.  If you do a little internet searching, the jury is still out as to the authenticity of the story.  But regardless if legend or fact, the concept is intriguing and the link to a memory challenge of Christian nature is great.  

          "The best known English version of The Twelve Days of Christmas was first printed in English in 1780 in a little book intended for children, Mirth without Mischief, as a Twelfth Night "memories-and-forfeits" game, in which a leader recited a verse, each of the players repeated the verse, the leader added another verse, and so on until one of the players made a mistake, with the player who erred having to pay a penalty, such as offering up a kiss or a sweet. One hundred years later, Lady Gomme, a collector of folktales and rhymes, described how it used to be played every Twelfth Day night before eating mince pies and twelfth cake." (Direct quote from http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/resources/advent/customs-and-traditions/the-history-of-the-twelve-days-of-christmas/)


          The story Rev. Fry related provided a more historical connotation from the 1500's when Catholics living in England were persecuted and forbidden to openly practice their faith in Anglican England.  Which came first, the song or the alternate words?  Who knows and I don't think it really matters. The legend says the words were a 'Catholic Code' somewhat used to flaunt their faith in front of the Anglicans.  Snopes.com (that wonderful fact-finding internet source) debunks this theory.  I found an internet article by Dennis Bratcher who gives extensive and thought-provoking background to the lyrics of the song.  http://www.crivoice.org/cy12days.html

          So....in the spirit of the Twelve Days, I thought I would switch to a 6 pointed mandala format and weave both the actual words and the Christian legend into one design.  Each day will include the previous day's 'gift', prayers, and the Christian tradition meaning.  I'll use various winter greenery or flowers for the outer border.  

On the first 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 that will sacrifice self to keep predators from the nest.  (Luke 13:34)

On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me....
Two Turtle Doves! 
The two doves represent the Old and New Testaments, which together reveal God the Creator, God's people, and God's redemption of the world. 

On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...
Three French Hens
The three hens represent the three theological values or virtues found in Corinthians 13: Faith, Hope, and Charity.  Many versions say Love in place of Charity.  Wish I had used Love instead....much shorter to get into the space!  Good day to include mistletoe....ties in with the love theme!  BTW, who is my true love?  God, of course!! 

On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me....
Four Calling Birds
The four 'calling birds' were probably originally 'collie birds' which is another name for blackbirds.  So I tried to color them with at least a little hint of blackness! But who are the birds calling?  I like to think they are calling to all of us in proclaiming the Good News of the four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.  What is the news?  God has sent his Son to redeem a broken world. 

On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me....
Five Golden Rings
The five rings represent the first five books of the Bible, also known as the Pentatuch or Torah, basically the Hebrew Bible of that time.  This includes Genesis through Deuteronomy, the story of Creation and God's formation of a people through which God could connect with the world.  The Torah includes the world's fall from grace and God's continual response of forgiveness.  

On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...
Six Geese a Layin'
The six geese (productive critters!) represent the six days of Creation.  I tried to represent each day in a separate 'window'.  1. Light and Dark; 2. Heavens; 3. Land and Waters; 4. Sun, Moon, and Stars; 5. Fish and Birds; and 6. Land Animals.  

On the seventh 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 eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me....
Eight Maids A-Milking
The eight maids represent the eight beatitudes expressed in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:3-10):  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.

On the ninth 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)

On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me.....
Ten Lords a-Leaping
The ten Lords refer to the Ten Commandments of the Old Testament: 

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 eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me....
Eleven Pipers Piping
Who are the eleven pipers?  The eleven LOYAL apostles (we don't count Judas who betrayed Jesus!)

The eleven faithful are Simon Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James bar Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas bar James. (Luke 6:14-16)

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me....
Twelve Drummers Drumming
The number twelve refers to 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.

The best known English version was first printed in English in 1780 in a little book intended for children, Mirth without Mischief, as a Twelfth Night "memories-and-forfeits" game, in which a leader recited a verse, each of the players repeated the verse, the leader added another verse, and so on until one of the players made a mistake, with the player who erred having to pay a penalty, such as offering up a kiss or a sweet. One hundred years later, Lady Gomme, a collector of folktales and rhymes, described how it used to be played every Twelfth Day night before eating mince pies and twelfth cake.
The best known English version was first printed in English in 1780 in a little book intended for children, Mirth without Mischief, as a Twelfth Night "memories-and-forfeits" game, in which a leader recited a verse, each of the players repeated the verse, the leader added another verse, and so on until one of the players made a mistake, with the player who erred having to pay a penalty, such as offering up a kiss or a sweet. One hundred years later, Lady Gomme, a collector of folktales and rhymes, described how it used to be played every Twelfth Day night before eating mince pies and twelfth cake.
The best known English version was first printed in English in 1780 in a little book intended for children, Mirth without Mischief, as a Twelfth Night "memories-and-forfeits" game, in which a leader recited a verse, each of the players repeated the verse, the leader added another verse, and so on until one of the players made a mistake, with the player who erred having to pay a penalty, such as offering up a kiss or a sweet. One hundred years later, Lady Gomme, a collector of folktales and rhymes, described how it used to be played every Twelfth Day night before eating mince pies and twelfth cake.
The best known English version was first printed in English in 1780 in a little book intended for children, Mirth without Mischief, as a Twelfth Night "memories-and-forfeits" game, in which a leader recited a verse, each of the players repeated the verse, the leader added another verse, and so on until one of the players made a mistake, with the player who erred having to pay a penalty, such as offering up a kiss or a sweet. One hundred years later, Lady Gomme, a collector of folktales and rhymes, described how it used to be played every Twelfth Day night before eating mince pies and twelfth cake.
The best known English version was first printed in English in 1780 in a little book intended for children, Mirth without Mischief, as a Twelfth Night "memories-and-forfeits" game, in which a leader recited a verse, each of the players repeated the verse, the leader added another verse, and so on until one of the players made a mistake, with the player who erred having to pay a penalty, such as offering up a kiss or a sweet. One hundred years later, Lady Gomme, a collector of folktales and rhymes, described how it used to be played every Twelfth Day night before eating mince pies and twelfth cake.