December 26
0 comments
The Twelve Days of Christmas
By Tresta Neil
Called to Learn
| The Twelve Days of Christmas . . . “I don’t like that song!” my daughter said. “Why, not?” I asked. “Because it is boring, too repetitious, and silly!” I couldn’t disagree with her and then I remembered my mother-in-law telling me something about the song and Epiphany. So I decided to look it up! What I found was fascinating! The song was written for a serious religious reason. The Twelve Days of Christmas are not the twelve days before Christmas as many people believe. They are the days between Christmas and January 6th, which is called Epiphany. This is the time in which the three wise men traveled to see the baby Jesus, arriving on Epiphany, January 6th. (The Twelve Days of Christmas on Noel, Noel, Noel) |
Between 1558 and 1829 it was against the law for Catholics in England to practice their faith with severe penalties. Thus the song was created as a memory aid for children to remember important doctrines of their faith by hiding the true meanings within the silly lyrics. The children sang it openly without the authorities knowing the real meaning.
The “true love” of the song is not a suitor but is actually God Himself. The “me” who receives the presents represents every baptized person.(noelnoelnoel.com)
God gives gifts to his people. This reminded me of the symbols of numbers and wondered if the song and number symbols complimented each other. I found my next project!
My son, Matteo, will be returning from his mission on January 6th, Epiphany! In honor of him and because I love numbers I will share these findings over the next twelve days! If you like history, numbers, and/or symbology you will enjoy this journey too! 🙂
You might also like