The 12 Days of Christmas: A Reflection on the True Meaning Part 2
12 Days of Christmas Explained: Spiritual Reflection and Poem
Find Part 1 Here
Lingering in the hope of Christmas on Christmastide
We are continuing to linger in the feast of Christmas with the 12 Days of Christmas Carol, in other words we are keeping Christmas together this year.
We will keep Christmas-keep it as it is in all the loveliness of its ancient traditions. May we keep it in our hearts, that we may be kept in its hope.
Catherine Marshall
In the 12 Days of Christmas song I was surprised to find symbolism that encourages us as we linger in the gift of Christ embodied. I am intrigued by the history behind this song and by the meaning behind each of the gifts and how they point back to Jesus and his word. If this is your first time here catch the whole intro to this series here.
When is Christmastide?
Christmastide is the liturgical season that spans from the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord (which we commonly call Christmas day, Dec. 25) to Epiphany Eve (Jan. 5, commonly called Twelfth Night)
Part 2: Days 5~8
On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me . . . five gold rings
The fifth day continues the biblical theme: the five gold ring represent the first five books of the Old Testament. The first five books of the Bible are know as the Law of Moses, the Pentateuch, or the Torah. In these books we find not just the fall of man but also the promise that a Savior would come to be the way back to God. I know that at times these books may feel hard to read, I urge you to press on because they contain such riches of the Lord’s love for us and his desire to be God with us.
“The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul,
the statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.”
Psalm 19:7
A Practice:
Meditate on one of your favorite verses from each or one of the first five books.
On the sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me . . . six geese a-laying
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.’
Genesis 1:1-2
These six geese a-laying represent the 6 days in which the earth was made. The eggs are known as symbols of new life and creation and so they were used here to remind us of the Lord coming to create the world out of nothing through the power of His Word.
A practice
Read the account of creation and ask your family to join you. Maybe they can depict the days by drawing what was created in each one, while you read.
On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me . . . seven swans a-swimming
“ so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.”
What a beautiful picture of the majestic swan swimming gracefully and easily through the water. The seven gifts mentioned in this passage are linked to the symbol of the swan on this 7th Day of Christmas. May we gracefully welcome the Holy Spirit’s move in our lives as we use our gifts to honor God.
A prayer
Spend 10 minutes in prayer, asking God to bless you with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
The Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray.
O God, who have taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that in the same Spirit we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in his consolation.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
This is a beautiful recommendation by Dynamic Catholic and I thought I would share it with you.
On the eighth day of Christmas my true love gave to me . . . eight maids a-milking
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
The 8 maids a-milking represent the 8 beatitudes that Jesus preached during His sermon on the mount.
One of the most tangible evidences of God’s desire to be with us is the way he spends time with people in the gospels.
It is a conundrum for the religious leaders, “how is it that he associates with the lowly?” When documenting the meaning for this day, Ace Colllins states, “Being a milkmaid was about the worst job one could have in England during this period; this code conveyed that Jesus cared as much about servants as he did those of royal blood.“ He has come and he dwells among us, even us who are poor in spirit, how sweet a gift.
A practice
Spend time reading Matthew 5, challenge your self to reflect on the beatitudes and how you can embody them in your everyday life.
The 12 Days of Christmas
the second four verses of a poem I wrote inspired by this song
“As golden as five golden rings the five books of The Torah
for generations have been your love story to your people
These five books point us to your presence with us
You were with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as you promised
You were also with their descendants and through them you are with us
As six geese a laying new life you took six day to create
Out of nothing you created the universe
You dreamt us up since before the foundation of the earth
With your hands you molded and shaped human kind
Your breath gave us life and your breath gives us life
As beautiful as sevens swans a swimming
Are the 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit
Each intentionally given with grace
So that some can prophesy, serve, and teach well
While other encourage, give, lead, and show mercy cheerfully
As lowly as eight maids a milking you came
Showing your glory to the lowliest shepherds first
Being born of a lowly teen without pomp and pedigree
Blessing the poor you came showing them your kingdom come
What grace to us all poor and lowly in sin now saved
...”
Notas
Research Resources: Dynamic Catholic 12 days of Christmas
12 Tide does a beautiful way of laying out how they celebrated the 12 days of Christmas
Enjoy my most favorite rendition of the 12 Days of Christmas to date!
I hope you enjoy reading through these second 4 stanzas of the 12 days of Christmas. My hope is that you are inspired as you look at beautiful art. That you are encouraged in your faith as you read about the symbolism of this song. Ultimately I hope to bring you with me into this sweet space of lingering as we keep Christmas together.
Gracefully,
What a perfect time to start honing your charcuterie skills! I have just the right thing to help you feel ready and confident while you gather. I created this simple and beautiful charcuterie guide for you. In my opinion it’s cute enough to show and then it would always be available for you! Plus, I am always honored to offer you practical content for purposeful and life giving time around the table.
