OldDog/NewTricks
Well-known member
Drennon's Twelve Days of Christmas
PLEASE NOTE: This contains true information about the custom of twelve days of Christmas, the origin and meaning of the song by that name, and some humor concerning this event.
The twelve days of Christmas are the twelve days between Christmas and Epiphany (January 6th), which is when the three wise men supposedly arrived on the scene. It is NOT the twelve days before Christmas as many erroneously believe.
The tradition of giving a gift on each of the twelve days is pretty much gone. However, in some families, the tradition of giving Christmas gifts on each of those twelve days persists.
Most people know of The Twelve Days of Christmas from the song of that name.
ORIGIN OF "THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS"
An Underground Catechism
Most folks, I believe, are familiar with the Christmas song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas". If you listen to the words carefully, it seems like nonsense set to rhyme and music. However, it was written with a serious purpose.
It is more than just a list of twelve silly gifts. Catholics in England during the period 1558 to 1829 were prohibited by law to practice their faith either in public or private. It was illegal to be Catholic. [Note: Parliament finally emancipated Catholics in England in 1829.]
"The Twelve Days of Christmas" was written in England as one of the "catechism songs" to help young Catholics learn the basics of their faith. In short, it was a memory aid. Since the song sounded like rhyming nonsense, young Catholics could sing the song without fear of imprisonment. The authorities would not know that it was a religious song. Actually, the catechism to which it referred was rather ecumenical so could probably be claimed to be protestant if cornered.
The song's gifts had hidden meanings to the teachings of the Catholic faith. The "true love" mentioned in the song doesn't refer to an earthly suitor, but it refers to God Himself. The "me" who receives the presents refers to every baptized person. i.e. the church. The partridge in a pear tree is Christ Jesus, the Son of God. In the song, Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge in memory of the expression of Christ's sadness over the fate of Jerusalem: "Jerusalem! Jerusalem! How often would I have sheltered thee under my wings, as a hen does her chicks, but thou wouldst not have it so..."
Here is a complete list of the 12 symbols with their meanings*:
1 Partridge in a pear tree = The One true God revealed in the person of Jesus Christ
2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments
3 French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity
4 Calling Birds = the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
5 Golden Rings = The first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch" which contain the law condemning us of our sins.
6 Geese A-laying = the six days of creation
7 Swans A-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments of the Catholic faith
8 Maids A-milking = the eight beatitudes
9 Ladies Dancing = the nine Fruits of the Spirit
10 Lords A-leaping = the ten commandments
11 Pipers Piping = the eleven faithful apostles
12 Drummers Drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed
*original source of symbol meaning: an article from Catholic Information Network that we discovered in 1995 by Fr. Hal Stockert of Fishnet. We then discovered some other resources that backed-up this article.
OK, so the song is symbolic of a catechism. I know that. However, I didn't always know that. Once I tried sending my true-love of the time the twelve gifts of Christmas, figuring that would really impress her. I wanted to see what her reaction would be. I have read of others trying it, but their accounts were rather gross and they used the wrong dates and wrong gifts. Anyway, my true-love was very good at writing thank you notes, so I have it well documented.
NOTE: After this act, she withdrew from being my true love, so I will withhold her real address and name.
Following is the replies to each of the 12 gifts:
Miss Sara Truelove
Somewhere, USA
December 26
Dearest Bill
Went to the door today and the postman delivered a partridge in a pear tree. What a wonderful thoughtful gift! I couldn't have been more surprised.
With deepest Love and Devotion,
Sara
___ ___ ___
Miss Sara Truelove
Somewhere, USA
December 27
Dearest Bill
Today the postman brought your most wonderful gift. Just imagine - two turtle doves! I'm delighted at your very sweet gift. They are just adorable. I will have to get a cage for them.
With deepest Love,
Sara
___ ___ ___
Miss Sara Truelove
Somewhere, USA
December 28
Dearest Bill
Oh! Your third gift arrived! You really went too far, I think. I don't deserve such generosity - three French hens. They are just lovely, but I must protest - you've been way too kind.
Love,
Sara
___ ___ ___
Miss Sara Truelove
Somewhere, USA
December 29
Dearest Bill:
Today the postman delivered four calling birds. Now, really, they're quite nice, but now I have 10 birds and nowhere to put any more....so please, no more birds!! But, thanks.
Affectionately,
Sara
___ ___ ___
Miss Sara Truelove
Somewhere, USA
December 30
Dearest Bill:
What a surprise! Another present....and not a bird this time! Wow! Today the postman delivered five golden rings, one for each finger. You're just too extravagant, but I love it! Frankly, all those birds squawking were beginning to get on my nerves, but the rings are wonderful...and so quiet!!
All my love,
Sara
___ ___ ___
Miss Sara Truelove
Somewhere, USA
December 31
Dear Bill:
When I opened the door there were actually six geese a-laying on my front steps. So you're back to the birds again, huh? Those geese are huge! And it was bird poop that they were laying, complete with a large count of chloroform bacteria. Where will I ever keep them? The neighbors are complaining. The police came by with a formal complaint, and I can't sleep through all the racket. I guess I have my own noise-makers for the new years eve celebration tonight.
Please stop. NO MORE BIRDS!!
Cordially,
Sara
___ ___ ___
Miss Sara Truelove
Somewhere, USA
January 1
Bill:
Happy New Year...to some people. It hasn't been so happy with me. What's with you and those dumb birds? Seven swans a-swimming. What kind of practical joke is this? There's bird guana all over the house and they never stop squawking. I could not sleep all night and I'm a nervous wreck. You have gone too far, bird brain.
PLEASE STOP SENDING BIRDS. NO MORE BIRDS!! GOT IT?
Sincerely,
Sara
___ ___ ___
Miss Sara Truelove
Somewhere, USA
January 2
OK, WISE GUY:
I think I prefer the birds over this. What am I going to do with eight maids a-milking? It's not enough with all those birds and eight maids a-milking, but they had to bring their cows. Have you ever smelled a yard full of cow patties? Their piles are all over the lawn, and I can't move in my own house. Leave me alone.
NO MORE OF YOUR "GIFTS".
Sara
___ ___ ___
Miss Sara Truelove
Somewhere, USA
January 3
Hey, Vacuum-for-a-brain:
What are you? Some kind of freak? Now there's nine ladies dancing...right in the smelly you-know-what and tracking it all over my house. The way they've been bickering with the milk maids, I hesitate to even call them ladies.
OK You'll get yours, buddy.
Sara
___ ___ ___
Miss Sara Truelove
Somewhere, USA
January 4
Hey You rotten piece of cow patty:
What's with the ten lords a-leaping? I have threatened to break their legs so that they can never leap again. All 23 of the birds are dead. They've been trampled to death by the leapers, the dancers, and the cows. At least, I don't have to worry about them any more. However, the cows are mooing all night having gotten diarrhea. My living room is a sewer! The City Commissioner has subpoenaed me to give cause why my house shouldn't be condemned.
I'm filing a complaint to the police about you!
One who means it.
___ ___ ___
Miss Sara Truelove
Somewhere, USA
January 5
Listen, brainless:
Now there's eleven pipers piping. And they never stop piping...except when they're chasing those maids or dancing girls. The cows are getting very upset and are sounding worse than the birds ever did. What am I going to do? There is a petition going around to evict me from the neighborhood.
I hope you're satisfied, you rotten, vicious swine.
Your sworn enemy,
Sara
___ ___ ___
Law Offices
Sue, Pillage, and Plunder
1313 Grunge St
Somewhere, USA
January 6
Dear Sir:
This is to acknowledge your latest gift of twelve drummers drumming which you have seen fit to inflict on our client, Miss Sara Truelove. The damage, of course, was total. She was found beating her head against the wall to the beat of the twelve drums. If you should attempt to reach Miss Truelove at Happy Glen Sanitarium, the attendants have instructions to shoot you on sight. With this letter please find attached a warrant for your arrest.
Cordially,
Law Firm of Sue, Pillage, and Plunder
NOTE:
See what happens when you don't keep Christ in Christmas! I recommend not keeping the twelve days of Christmas as a tradition, but use the song only to learn a catechism or to sing a dumb song that rhymes.
Copyright © 1996, 1997 CVC
~
PLEASE NOTE: This contains true information about the custom of twelve days of Christmas, the origin and meaning of the song by that name, and some humor concerning this event.
The twelve days of Christmas are the twelve days between Christmas and Epiphany (January 6th), which is when the three wise men supposedly arrived on the scene. It is NOT the twelve days before Christmas as many erroneously believe.
The tradition of giving a gift on each of the twelve days is pretty much gone. However, in some families, the tradition of giving Christmas gifts on each of those twelve days persists.
Most people know of The Twelve Days of Christmas from the song of that name.
ORIGIN OF "THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS"
An Underground Catechism
Most folks, I believe, are familiar with the Christmas song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas". If you listen to the words carefully, it seems like nonsense set to rhyme and music. However, it was written with a serious purpose.
It is more than just a list of twelve silly gifts. Catholics in England during the period 1558 to 1829 were prohibited by law to practice their faith either in public or private. It was illegal to be Catholic. [Note: Parliament finally emancipated Catholics in England in 1829.]
"The Twelve Days of Christmas" was written in England as one of the "catechism songs" to help young Catholics learn the basics of their faith. In short, it was a memory aid. Since the song sounded like rhyming nonsense, young Catholics could sing the song without fear of imprisonment. The authorities would not know that it was a religious song. Actually, the catechism to which it referred was rather ecumenical so could probably be claimed to be protestant if cornered.
The song's gifts had hidden meanings to the teachings of the Catholic faith. The "true love" mentioned in the song doesn't refer to an earthly suitor, but it refers to God Himself. The "me" who receives the presents refers to every baptized person. i.e. the church. The partridge in a pear tree is Christ Jesus, the Son of God. In the song, Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge in memory of the expression of Christ's sadness over the fate of Jerusalem: "Jerusalem! Jerusalem! How often would I have sheltered thee under my wings, as a hen does her chicks, but thou wouldst not have it so..."
Here is a complete list of the 12 symbols with their meanings*:
1 Partridge in a pear tree = The One true God revealed in the person of Jesus Christ
2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments
3 French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity
4 Calling Birds = the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
5 Golden Rings = The first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch" which contain the law condemning us of our sins.
6 Geese A-laying = the six days of creation
7 Swans A-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments of the Catholic faith
8 Maids A-milking = the eight beatitudes
9 Ladies Dancing = the nine Fruits of the Spirit
10 Lords A-leaping = the ten commandments
11 Pipers Piping = the eleven faithful apostles
12 Drummers Drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed
*original source of symbol meaning: an article from Catholic Information Network that we discovered in 1995 by Fr. Hal Stockert of Fishnet. We then discovered some other resources that backed-up this article.
OK, so the song is symbolic of a catechism. I know that. However, I didn't always know that. Once I tried sending my true-love of the time the twelve gifts of Christmas, figuring that would really impress her. I wanted to see what her reaction would be. I have read of others trying it, but their accounts were rather gross and they used the wrong dates and wrong gifts. Anyway, my true-love was very good at writing thank you notes, so I have it well documented.
NOTE: After this act, she withdrew from being my true love, so I will withhold her real address and name.
Following is the replies to each of the 12 gifts:
Miss Sara Truelove
Somewhere, USA
December 26
Dearest Bill
Went to the door today and the postman delivered a partridge in a pear tree. What a wonderful thoughtful gift! I couldn't have been more surprised.
With deepest Love and Devotion,
Sara
___ ___ ___
Miss Sara Truelove
Somewhere, USA
December 27
Dearest Bill
Today the postman brought your most wonderful gift. Just imagine - two turtle doves! I'm delighted at your very sweet gift. They are just adorable. I will have to get a cage for them.
With deepest Love,
Sara
___ ___ ___
Miss Sara Truelove
Somewhere, USA
December 28
Dearest Bill
Oh! Your third gift arrived! You really went too far, I think. I don't deserve such generosity - three French hens. They are just lovely, but I must protest - you've been way too kind.
Love,
Sara
___ ___ ___
Miss Sara Truelove
Somewhere, USA
December 29
Dearest Bill:
Today the postman delivered four calling birds. Now, really, they're quite nice, but now I have 10 birds and nowhere to put any more....so please, no more birds!! But, thanks.
Affectionately,
Sara
___ ___ ___
Miss Sara Truelove
Somewhere, USA
December 30
Dearest Bill:
What a surprise! Another present....and not a bird this time! Wow! Today the postman delivered five golden rings, one for each finger. You're just too extravagant, but I love it! Frankly, all those birds squawking were beginning to get on my nerves, but the rings are wonderful...and so quiet!!
All my love,
Sara
___ ___ ___
Miss Sara Truelove
Somewhere, USA
December 31
Dear Bill:
When I opened the door there were actually six geese a-laying on my front steps. So you're back to the birds again, huh? Those geese are huge! And it was bird poop that they were laying, complete with a large count of chloroform bacteria. Where will I ever keep them? The neighbors are complaining. The police came by with a formal complaint, and I can't sleep through all the racket. I guess I have my own noise-makers for the new years eve celebration tonight.
Please stop. NO MORE BIRDS!!
Cordially,
Sara
___ ___ ___
Miss Sara Truelove
Somewhere, USA
January 1
Bill:
Happy New Year...to some people. It hasn't been so happy with me. What's with you and those dumb birds? Seven swans a-swimming. What kind of practical joke is this? There's bird guana all over the house and they never stop squawking. I could not sleep all night and I'm a nervous wreck. You have gone too far, bird brain.
PLEASE STOP SENDING BIRDS. NO MORE BIRDS!! GOT IT?
Sincerely,
Sara
___ ___ ___
Miss Sara Truelove
Somewhere, USA
January 2
OK, WISE GUY:
I think I prefer the birds over this. What am I going to do with eight maids a-milking? It's not enough with all those birds and eight maids a-milking, but they had to bring their cows. Have you ever smelled a yard full of cow patties? Their piles are all over the lawn, and I can't move in my own house. Leave me alone.
NO MORE OF YOUR "GIFTS".
Sara
___ ___ ___
Miss Sara Truelove
Somewhere, USA
January 3
Hey, Vacuum-for-a-brain:
What are you? Some kind of freak? Now there's nine ladies dancing...right in the smelly you-know-what and tracking it all over my house. The way they've been bickering with the milk maids, I hesitate to even call them ladies.
OK You'll get yours, buddy.
Sara
___ ___ ___
Miss Sara Truelove
Somewhere, USA
January 4
Hey You rotten piece of cow patty:
What's with the ten lords a-leaping? I have threatened to break their legs so that they can never leap again. All 23 of the birds are dead. They've been trampled to death by the leapers, the dancers, and the cows. At least, I don't have to worry about them any more. However, the cows are mooing all night having gotten diarrhea. My living room is a sewer! The City Commissioner has subpoenaed me to give cause why my house shouldn't be condemned.
I'm filing a complaint to the police about you!
One who means it.
___ ___ ___
Miss Sara Truelove
Somewhere, USA
January 5
Listen, brainless:
Now there's eleven pipers piping. And they never stop piping...except when they're chasing those maids or dancing girls. The cows are getting very upset and are sounding worse than the birds ever did. What am I going to do? There is a petition going around to evict me from the neighborhood.
I hope you're satisfied, you rotten, vicious swine.
Your sworn enemy,
Sara
___ ___ ___
Law Offices
Sue, Pillage, and Plunder
1313 Grunge St
Somewhere, USA
January 6
Dear Sir:
This is to acknowledge your latest gift of twelve drummers drumming which you have seen fit to inflict on our client, Miss Sara Truelove. The damage, of course, was total. She was found beating her head against the wall to the beat of the twelve drums. If you should attempt to reach Miss Truelove at Happy Glen Sanitarium, the attendants have instructions to shoot you on sight. With this letter please find attached a warrant for your arrest.
Cordially,
Law Firm of Sue, Pillage, and Plunder
NOTE:
See what happens when you don't keep Christ in Christmas! I recommend not keeping the twelve days of Christmas as a tradition, but use the song only to learn a catechism or to sing a dumb song that rhymes.
Copyright © 1996, 1997 CVC
~