It’s Monday and we are NOT into The 12 days of Christmas as some may think. But it does end with a Patridge in a Pear Tree. This week I will be focusing on the Christmas holiday with some fun facts and as always, a practical application as this is about your ‘everyday-walking-around-kind-of-life’ with Jesus. So let’s get started with some words of encouragement!
Eleven Other Days of Christmas
The 12 Days of Christmas. What does that mean? I thought December 25th was Christmas day, what are the other 11 days of Christmas?
Actually, the 12 days of Christmas is the period of Christmas that marks the time between the birth of Christ and the coming of the Magi, the three wise men. One of my favorite Christmas shows is The Little Drummer Boy. I was six years old when it came out in 1968. The Magi and the Bethlehem Star are featured. One of my favorite Christmas songs is from this show – The Little Drummer Boy. Below is King and Country’s version which I love. Take a moment to listen (turn it up).
Matthew 2:1-2 NIV
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a] from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
It Starts on Christmas Day
The 12 days of Christmas actually begins on the day of Christmas, December 25th. It runs through January 6 and is called ‘The Epiphany,’ sometimes also called Three Kings’ Day. The four weeks preceding Christmas are known as Advent, which begins four Sundays before Christmas and ends on December 24th. More about that in a few days.
An Expensive 12 Days
So the fun song, the Twelve Days of Christmas, gives some meaning to a song with crazy gifts. The gifts by the way, in today’s value, add up to well over $40,000. Here’s a great parallel to the gifts:
12 Drummers Drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle’s Creed
11 Pipers Piping = the eleven faithful apostles
10 Lords a-leaping = the ten commandments
9 Ladies Dancing = the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
8 Maids a-milking = the eight beatitudes
7 Swans a-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments
6 Geese a-laying = the six days of creation
5 Golden Rings = The first Five Books of the Old Testament, the “Pentateuch,” which gives the history of man’s fall from grace
4 Calling Birds = the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
3 French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues
2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments
And a partridge in the pear tree. This represents Jesus Christ.
I hope this has been some fun and encouraging information for you. As we lead up to Christmas Day, prepare your heart. Let us see how we can apply what this season is really about to our businesses and work, our families, and even more importantly, our own life.
Proverbs 17:22
A merry heart does good like medicine.
Challenge of the Day:
Follow the little drummer boy, the Christmas Star, and your heart to the biggest gift of all, the gift of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let’s look forward to the celebration of that on Christmas day. It’s a gift that gives for all of eternity. So be it!
Love these blogs. Thank you for your hard work and thoughts!
It’s for my own growth…hoping others can find something in them as a benefit. Thanks for sharing Dre`! Merry Christmas!
I didn’t know that. (or didn’t remember that I may have known that). Either way – it’s awesome! 💜
Yes, little-known facts. We all assume so much based on tradition and the way things are worded. I’m sure you already knew it but you have so much stored in your brain you just couldn’t find the file it was buried in. :o)