Religion
Lorna Dueck
The 12 days of Christmas
Last Updated: Wednesday, December 24, 2008 | 12:55 PM ET
By Lorna Dueck, special to CBC News
The Christmas ditty we know as the "Twelve Days of Christmas" contains enough inner meanings to show that the sacred and secular have always enjoyed a competitive dance at this time of the year.
An artist hangs from a balloon meant to symbolize the Three Wise Men bearing gifts in an Epiphany parade in Madrid, in January 2008. (Daniel Ochoa de Olza/Associated Press) It's a shame the church lost this one, but you'd be hard pressed to prove that the sixth century decree to set aside12 days between Christmas and Epiphany has survived its original intent.
Christmas has kept its branding, of course, but outside of the church faithful, Epiphany has become a lost cause.
To me, it still means "surprise," the joy and revelation of Jesus's manifestation on Earth and all that that implies. But Epiphany, the originating rationale for the 12 days of Christmas, is a bit more complicated. Epiphany, Jan. 6, was the day set aside to remember the gift-bearing wise men who visited Jesus in his early days.
Over time and through the inclusion of other traditions, the events of Jesus's baptism and his miracles in creating wine and food were sometimes included.
Yes, Epiphany is a time to remember the party Jesus. The Jesus who created wine at a dried-up wedding and a picnic for 5,000 who neglected to bring their lunch. Epiphany was once the time to highlight extravagant gifts, wine and food.
For many, it was also a time to remember Jesus' baptism, when even the Son of God washed himself in the waters of repentance.
Too much fun
Its failing, I think, was that Epiphany just tried to pack too much into too small a space and for many it simply withered away between heresies and theologies, calendar confusion and a host of Eastern and Western versions.
As a result, the 12 days of Christmas, which were supposed to be given us by the true love of God, have evolved each year into another parody. This year's latest — 12 days of free downloads and 12 hits of drugs to share (sing "… five Percodan") — are another reflection of the ungainly dance between the sacred and the profane. So allow me to join the tradition of well-meaning scribes who for centuries have tried to reconnect the 12 days with Christian concepts.
I'll start with the gifts and their assigned interpretations and I will suggest a current recipient the gift would be ideal for.
Twelve gifts
On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me:
- A partridge in a pear tree
This is a symbol of Christ himself or, as Luke saw it, the imagery of a bird sheltering a battered Jerusalem under it's wing, a gift for the Middle East still in need of peace.
- Two turtle doves
This would be gifts of the Old and New Testaments, great for any reader on your list. Look for a newer translation as these volumes were reportedly bumped from their historic number one spot on the bestseller list in recent years by the Harry Potter series.
- Three French hens
Faith, hope and love. Virtues needed by anyone feeling beat up by the current recession and a reminder we're not in this alone.
- Four calling birds
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, the voices of early gospel writers. All educated children should have the joy of this gift. Perhaps it could go back under the public school board Christmas tree.
- Five golden rings
The first five books of the Torah and the Old Testament, which are the same. They reflect the complex story of how one nation was set above the others to live out the truth of God redeeming a broken human race. Best to avoid giving this to anyone with political ambitions.
- Six geese a-laying
The six days of creation. Perfect for the university student puzzled by Intelligent Design Theory.
- Seven swans a-swimming
Prophecy, teaching, ministry, exhortation, compassion, giving and leading. The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, ideal for a church worker or CEO on your list.
- Eight maids a-milking
The eight Beatitudes of Matthew 5, which all summarize a gentle, co-operative spirit. A prime minister overseeing a minority parliament might like these.
- Nine ladies dancing
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, generosity, faithfulness and self control; the fruits of the Spirit referenced in Galatians 5:22. Any married couple on your list would love a package deal.
- Ten lords a-leaping
The Ten Commandments. Never hurts to remind anyone of the do's and don'ts.
- Eleven Pipers Piping
The eleven faithful apostles of Jesus (note Judas the betrayer is left off the list). A nice reminder for anyone in a complicated family that a great variety of ordinary people were good enough for God to work with.
- Twelve Drummers Drumming
The twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles' Creed. This is for person on your list who loves maps and solid reference points. To summarize, the 12 days of Christmas were meant to commemorate Christ's identity being revealed in the world. We don't have to look far to find a connection that could still benefit from that gift.
