Christmas Day is for many the end of the Christmas celebration-and that is OK for those who wish it to be…however, I love celebrating the twelve days from Dec. 25th-Jan.6th…it is my way of absorbing the message that tends to get pushed aside with so much preparation in the days prior to Christmas Day. the verses of this song, along with their supposed symbolism:
(there is much debate about this and I don’t wish to debate 🙂
One can ( I do ) take each day and make it fit right into the day’s schedule…I hope you join me in this twelve day journey~
(A Partridge in a Pear Tree – Jesus Christ)
The First day of Christmas has come and gone…I believe Jesus celebrated his birthday by giving all those who chose to accept Peace, Love, and Joy…
On the second day of Christmas
(Two Turtle Doves – The Old and New Testaments)
Take time to read and understand the words.
Bea Rigsby Kunz shared Sage Hill Herb Farm‘s photo.
The Third day of Christmas finds me wondering and wishing for better documentation of things that will one day be our history.
“Three French Hens”…(faith, hope, and love.) sounds good to me.
My one French hen…( a gift from long ago)
~
The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
On December 28, we celebrate the feast of the Holy Innocents, the children murdered by Herod. These were not martyrs like Stephen, who died heroically in a vision of the glorified Christ. They were not inspired like John to speak the Word of life and understand the mysteries of God. They died unjustly before they had a chance to know or to will—but they died for Christ nonetheless. In them we see the long agony of those who suffer and die through human injustice, never knowing that they have been redeemed. If Christ did not come for them too, then surely Christ came in vain. In celebrating the Holy Innocents, we remember the victims of abortion, of war, of abuse. We renew our faith that the coming of Christ brings hope to the most hopeless. And, in the most radical way possible, we confess that like the murdered children we are saved by the sheer mercy of Christ, not by our own doing or knowing.
~
The five golden rings re-represented the first five books of the Old Testament, which describe man’s fall into sin and the great love of God in sending a Savior.
The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
Seven swans a-swimming represented the seven-fold gifts of the Holy Spirit—–Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
(My Blog… “BeasBeatitudes,” came after a long search for the right spirit of said writings.
Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit—–Charity, Joy, Peace, Patience [Forbearance], Goodness [Kindness], Mildness, Fidelity, Modesty, Continence [Chastity].
The ten lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments.
The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful Apostles.
The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in The Apostles’ Creed.
~
I’ve heard many times,’life does not come with an instruction manual.’
I beg to differ, we simply fail to read and/or follow the instructions.
(HaHa…bet that rings a bell!!)
~~
(A poem I penned in 1012)
The Joy of Christmas…let me count them one by one-so many, you’ll be sleeping before I’m done.
There’s holly and cedar, rosemary and Red Birds-
Paper Whites and Poinsettias , Red Roses and Tartan skirts-
Stockings of red, green and beyond,bows and bells-oh my, what great fun…
Candles in the windows, sleighs by the stoop, hot coco and mama’s homemade soup-
Snowflakes and snow-balls for some there will be-alas, just rain and wind I see-
Chestnuts by the fire,cranberries strung above-and a toast to the one you love-
Pretty paper, pretty ribbon, pretty cards from far and near-
Silent night and happy dreams for those you hold dear-
Chocolate, red velvet, coconut and caramel tarts-
Snicker-doodles and Thumbprints, all tugging at our hearts-
Memories and flashbacks, from days carved in stone-
History indeed, but never really gone-
Carols for the neighbor…prayers for our Troops-
Christmas trees of all description-Presents all around-everything Merry and Bright…not like in Bethlehem-
Look into your heart-and find the tiny spark-turn up the flame and light the way….for yet another Christmas Day.
God Bless and may we keep the spirit of Christmas always in our hearts. Bea Rigsby-Kunz-2012.
I enjoyed reading your Twelve Days-That is my favorite Christmas theme. I had to leave behind most of my Christmas treasures when I moved to TX. I collected 12 days decorations. They are still in my heart though.
You bring joy into life.
Barbara, I am just seeing this…thank you for the note and for reading the blog….
That hurts my heart that you had to leave your precious treasures behind….I pray you can and do retrieve them in good time. Memory treasures are such a healing source for many of us….it allows the connection to our past to always have a place in our now and our future…to be able to touch them and feel the presence of past times, places and people dear to us.
Happy Christmas sweet friend…. and a New Year that brings you to a place of comfort.