The Christmas Season
Christmas is my favorite time of year- the lights, the evergreen and holly, nativity sets, and old traditions, but I always find it strange that society today continues to change its timeframe. Let me explain. As we all know, it seems that Christmas decorations are appearing ever earlier each year in stores, which can lead us to forget about the holy season of Advent- that time in which we meditate and prepare to celebrate the birth of the Christ Child.
Now, this is where it gets interesting. For centuries, the Christian Church celebrated a season of Christmas lasting 12 days or so, leading up to the Feast of the Epiphany, when we celebrate the visit of the 3 wise men or magi to the Christ Child, days in which feasting, charity, goodwill and celebrations were had. It was customary to make it a time of peace in which wars were not declared and people focused on faith, family, and fellowship with one another. However, at some point in the last 50 years or so, this has changed. Now, as soon as Christmas Day passes, decorations are taken down, trees are thrown out, and life returns to normal. It seems to be indicative of humanity's newborn amnesia regarding the meaning of celebrations and leisure. Indeed, this treatment of the Christmas holiday (coming from the words "holy day" and "Christ-Mass" is unfortunate. Let us do our best to celebrate the season of Christmas in our hearts. The 12 days will conclude this Sunday. There is still time, for us yet!
Regarding the history of the Christmas carol, "The 12 Days of Christmas," few remember the meaning behind the song. Here's a quick synopsis:
"From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality, which the children could remember.
- The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
- Two turtledoves were the Old and New Testaments .
- Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.
- The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.
- The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
- The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
- Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit-Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
- The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
- Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit-Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.
- The ten lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments.
- The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
- The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in The Apostles' Creed."
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