The ADVENTure of Christmas (1 of 12)

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Today I'm beginning the first of a 12 part post series (1 post per day) dedicated to shedding light onto the roots of many of our Christmas traditions--who knew they weren't just testimonies to commercialism and capitalism??

The majority of the information used will come from Lisa Whelchel's "the ADVENTure of Christmas", but also from a few other additional resources.

Since this will be a twelve day post series, why not start with "the 12 days of Christmas" song and tradition?

For more than three hundred years, it was against the law in England to be a member of the Catholic Church. But since when has law been able to regulate the spreading of the gospel of Christ? In fact, legal regulations and mandates throughout history have just led to more creative ways of sharing the story of Jesus--and that is exactly what happened with many Catholic parents. The legend goes that a group of these parents came up with "The Twelve Days of Christmas" as a code to teach their children about things of God. So let's crack the code shall we?

"My true love" represents God, who gives all the gifts listed in the song.
"A partridge in a pear tree" is Jesus, who gave His life on a tree (the cross).
"Two turtle doves" symbolize the Old and New Testaments.
"Three french hens" are faith, hope, and love.
"Four calling birds" speak of the four gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
"Five golden rings" correspond to the first five books of the Bible (also known as the Pentateuch).
"Six geese a-laying" stand for the six days of creation.
"Seven swans a-swimming" are the seven gifts of the Spirit from Romans 12:6-8.
"Eight maids a-milking" point to the eight beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-10.
"Nine ladies dancing" signify the nine elements of the fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23.
"Ten lords a-leaping" represent the Ten Commandments.
"Eleven pipers piping are the eleven faithful disciples (minus Judas--who obviously wasn't faithful).
"Twelve drummers drumming" call to mind the twelve points of the Apostle's Creed.

So there ya have it--Da Vinci don't have nothin' on that code! lol (and yes, the horrid grammar in that last sentence is on purpose to all you critics out there! ha ha)