The twelve days of Christmas begin with Christmas Day and end January 5th, the day before the Epiphany of Our Lord. They make up the Christmas Season in our Liturgical Calendar.

Sadly, many people today think the twelve days of Christmas are the days before and leading up to Christmas. Such is the religious ignorance rampant in our time. Be bold to correct anyone who is so miseducated.

The song that celebrates those wondrous days has an interesting history.

The song, The Twelve Days of Christmas, is an English Christmas carol. 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 the Church.

The True Love one hears in the song is not a smitten boy or girlfriend but Jesus Christ, because truly love was born on Christmas Day.

The partridge in the pear tree also represents Him because that bird is willing to sacrifice its life, if necessary, to protect its young by feigning injury to draw away predators.

The two turtle doves are the Old and New Testaments.

The three French hens stand for faith, hope, and love.

The four calling birds are the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

The five golden rings represent the first five books of the Old Testament, which describe man's fall into sin and the great love of God in sending a Savior.

The six geese a-laying stand for the six days of creation.

Seven swans a-swimming represent the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.

The eight maids a-milking are the eight beatitudes.

Nine ladies dancing are the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: Charity, Joy, Peace, Patience, Goodness, Mildness, Fidelity, Modesty, Chastity.

The ten lords a-leaping are the Ten Commandments.

The eleven pipers piping stand for the eleven faithful Apostles.

The twelve drummers drumming symbolize the twelve points of belief in The Apostles' Creed.

I hope you find this interesting; I did.

Finally, it has been my joy and privilege to serve you these past six months. May God bless you all this New Year as Pastor Girardin comes to serve as your shepherd under Christ.

Pastor Gleason