The Twelve Days of Christmas

This post is about the history of the "Twelve Days of Christmas," a song used in European traditions as early as the 16th century. At one time the carol was thought to be a secret method of teaching Catholic doctrine during the English Reformation when Catholics in England were prohibited from any private or public practice of their faith.

And a way to celebrate the "The Twelve Days of Christmas" beginning on Christmas Day December 25th and ending on Epiphany January 6th. After you have read the whole group, come back and use one verse each day. As you read the verse reflect on the word for that day use it to open you heart and mind to a greater awareness with you. As you do you wll discover new avenues to express your God given gifts.

Here are the words, the tradition, along with an all-in-fun memory aid on the 12 Powers:

• My true love-God the Father [Father/Mother God]
• A partridge in a pear tree-Jesus as the partridge, the cross as the pear tree [Faith]
• Two turtle doves-the two testaments (Old and New) [Love]
• Three French hens-3 gifts of the wise men, 3 Christian virtues (faith, hope, and charity), or 3 persons of the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) [Strength]
• Four calling birds-4 gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) [Wisdom]
• Five golden rings-5 books of Moses [Power-the slowest verse requires the greatest power, and like the rings, power in you is never-ending]
• Six geese a-laying-6 days of creation [Imagination]
• Seven swans a-swimming-7 gifts of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 12:6-8) [Understanding]
• Eight maids a-milking-8 beatitudes (Matt. 5-7) [Will]
• Nine ladies dancing-9 fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23) [Order]
• Ten lords a-leaping-10 commandments [Enthusiasm]
• Eleven pipers piping-11 apostles (excluding Judas who did fail) [Elimination-Judas was eliminated]
• Twelve drummers drumming-12 articles of Apostles' Creed [Life]

Merry Christmas!

Lovingly in His service,
Rob

p.s. Did you know that we post each Sunday Service online? [Read more...]

p.p.s. You can join us every Sunday at 11 am (Pacific) live and online!

BTW... I'm evaluating a multi-media course on blogging from the folks at Simpleology. For a while, they're letting you snag it for free if you post about it on your blog.

It covers:

• The best blogging techniques.
• How to get traffic to your blog.
• How to turn your blog into money.

I'll let you know what I think once I've had a chance to check it out. Meanwhile, go grab yours while it's still free.