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Church of the Nativity |
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When most people hear "The Twelve Days of Christmas" they think of the song. This song had its origins as a teaching tool to instruct young people in the meaning and content of the Christian faith. From 1558 to 1829 some denominations in England were not able to practice their faith openly so they had to find other ways to pass on their beliefs.
The song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is one example of how they did it. The song goes, "On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me..."
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The "true love" represents God, and the "me" who receives these presents is the Christian. |
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The "Partridge in a pear tree" was Jesus Christ who died on a tree as a gift from God. |
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The "two turtle doves" were the Old and New Testaments - another gift from God. |
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The "three French hens" were faith, hope and love - the three gifts of the Spirit that abide (Corinthians 13). |
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The "four calling birds' were the four Gospels which sing the song of salvation through Jesus Christ. |
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The 'five golden rings" were the first five books of the Bible also called the "Book of Moses." |
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The "six geese a-laying" were the six days of creation. |
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The "seven swans a swimming" were "seven gifts of the Holy Spirit." (Corinthians 12.9-11, Romans 12, Ephesians 4, 1 Peter 4:10-11) |
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The "eight maids a milking" were the eight beatitudes. |
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The "nine ladies dancing" were nine fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). |
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The "ten lords a-leaping" were the Ten Commandments. |
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The "eleven pipers piping" were the eleven faithful disciples. |
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The "twelve drummers drumming" were the twelve points of the Apostles' Creed. |
So the next time you hear "The Twelve Days of Christmas" consider how this otherwise non-religious sounding song may have had it origins in the Christian Faith.
Question of the Day:
What is the best vitamin for a Christian?
The answer can be found on this month’s calendar!
Pardon the play on words but your Tidings editor is bursting with pride for the members of Nativity who donated a total of fifty two shoeboxes for the Operation Christmas Child program. These boxes were blessed at the service on Sunday, November 12 and have now been passed on to their next destination on the journey to the child recipient. Again, thank you and congratulations to every one who took part in this marvelous ministry.
Don’t forget, however, that your Outreach Ministry has not ended. See a separate article elsewhere in this issue of Nativity Tidings.
Check this month’s calendar for some important changes in the time of services on both Wednesday and on Saturday. According to the Rector, these changes will be permanent.
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Nativity Notes
Festival
of Lessons and Carols Sunday, December
17, 4:00 pm, Guest artist Phyllis Wright, harpist. Ms. Wright
most recently was resident with the West Coast Symphony. She has also
played with (to mention only a few) the New York Philharmonic, the New
York City Opera, and the Vienna Philharmonic.
Take a Peek at the Handiwork of
the Quilting Sisters
