12 Days of Christmas

While we know that the whole idea of Christmas and it's customs is man-made, it has special significance because it is based upon the belief that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, was born on Christmas Day.

Whether He was or not, it doesn't matter. It is celebrated as it is, and many, all over the world join in the celebration.  At least for a little while, many people are thinking about Jesus, and hopefully they'll not leave Him as a little baby and put Him back in a box when the season is over, but realize that He came to earth to live and die and be raised for each and every one of us!

I was wondering about some of the traditions of Christmas. Where did they come from? What do they mean?  I know they all have a religious significance and most all came from the Catholic church, but I wasn't sure about all of them.  I found this one particularly interesting.  It's the true meaning of the song, "12 Days of Christmas".

Passage Hidden definition My true love Me Partridge in a pear tree Two Turtle Doves Three French hens Four calling birds Five gold rings Six geese a-laying Seven swans a-swimming Eight maids a-milking Nine ladies dancing Ten lords a-leaping Eleven pipers piping Twelve drummers drumming God The Christian Jesus The old and new testaments Faith, hope and love The four gospels The first five books of the Bible The six days of creation The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit The beatitudes The nine fruits of the Holy Spirit The ten commandments The eleven faithful disciples The twelve points of the apostle creed

All of this made sense, except I had no idea what the apostle creed was, so I looked it up, as well (it's it amazing that all of this information is found right in cyberspace?  I can look up anything?  Be careful, though, not everything you read on the internet is true, you know?!) 

Here it is, though I don't believe #4 (He did take on the sin of the whole world and was separated from God, but after reading what others have written, it is not hell where He went.) and I would take the word catholic out of #9.  All the rest is what true disciples of Christ believe. 

1. I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:
2. And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord:
3. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary:
4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried: He descended into hell:
5. The third day he rose again from the dead:
6. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty:
7. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead:
8. I believe in the Holy Ghost:
9. I believe in the holy catholic church: the communion of saints:
10. The forgiveness of sins:
1l. The resurrection of the body:
12. And the life everlasting. Amen.

So, the next time you hear this song, you will think of it quite differently, won't you?  I know I will!