During these weeks leading to the day Christians all over the world celebrate as the day the Christ child was born, I want to share some fun Christmas history. The accuracy of the date of Jesus’ birth is not the important fact. The calendar most of the world uses separating the world as Before Christ (BC) and After Christ’s birth (AD) may even be 3 to 4 years off. What is important to Christians all over the world is that God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the penalty that our own sins demand. The inconceivable thought of the Creator becoming a dependant child sends us to our knees.

Many historians believe the well-known song, The Twelve Days of Christmas, is actually a Christian hymn in disguise. During the reign of England’s Queen Elizabeth I, Catholics were oppressed and persecuted. Priests met secretly with small groups of Catholics, risking their lives to conduct worship, observe mass and even train children. An unknown, clever priest found a unique way to teach children the Gospel using the 12 days between Christmas and Epiphany – when according to tradition, the Wise Men arrived with their gifts for the Christchild.

Let me explain how the priest hid biblical truth in the symbols he used in the Christmas Carol we love to sing:

• On the first day of Christmas – my true love gave to me – The “True Love” refers to God the Father; the “Me” represents Christians who receive the gifts.
• A Partridge in a pear tree – The “Partridge” is Jesus
• Two turtle doves – the Old and New Testaments
• Three French horns – Faith, hope and love
• Four calling birds – the four Gospels
• Five golden rings – The first five books of the Bible, the Pentateuch
• Six geese a laying – The six days of creation
• Seven swans a-swimming – the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit
• Eight maids a-milking – the eight beatitudes of Matthew 5
• Nine ladies dancing – nine choirs of angels
• Ten lords a-leaping – the Ten Commandments
• Eleven pipers piping – The eleven faithful apostles
• Twelve drummers drumming – the twelve articles of the Apostles’ Creed.

We as parents often need to be creative as we teach our children truths.  This is an example of pure creativity!

None of us are perfect as individuals – nor are our marriages perfect.  As we work together to maintain our love and a strong marriage, our homes will be a good environment for growing and happy children.