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Not Just A Funny Christmas Song

By Vicar Lisa

Everyone has heard the 12 Days of Christmas Song. Some of us have even seen some creative and amusing skits and parodies that were based on the song. But what does it mean? How many of us eagerly anticipate receiving 12 Pipers Piping or 11 Drummers Drumming for Christmas? Yikes! And what do we mean by 12 days of Christmas?

To understand, we must first start with Epiphany. Epiphany is a celebration of God manifesting as the baby Jesus and revealing Himself to the world. The holiday also marks the day the Magi, or the “three kings”, visited Jesus at his home in Bethlehem (see Matthew 2:1-12). We only assume that there were three Magi because there were three presents offered.

And, despite the image you get from most nativity scenes, the child was probably a couple of years old by the time the Magi arrived with their gifts of gold, incense, and myrrh. However, in our Church calendar, the period between the birth of the baby Jesus and the arrival of the Magi is known as the 12 days of Christmas, that period between the birth of the Christ child on Dec. 25 and the arrival of the Magi on Epiphany, celebrated on Jan. 6.

But, getting back to that seemingly silly Christmas carol, it is believed that the song has a hidden meaning.

The words to the song have been around since it first appeared in print in 1780. It is believed that the words were intended to be a poetic form called “cumulative verse,” where each patterned verse contributes to a longer narrative. According to Ann Ball in her book, Handbook of Catholic Sacramentals, the song has the following hidden meaning:

  • The "True Love" one hears in the song is not a smitten boy or girlfriend but Jesus Christ, because true love was born on Christmas Day. The partridge in the pear tree also represents Christ 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 were the Old and New Testaments.
  • The three French hens stood for faith, hope, and love.
  • The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
  • The five golden rings represented 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 stood for the six days of creation.
  • Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit-----Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
  • The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
  • Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit-----Charity, Joy, Peace, Patience [Forbearance], Goodness [Kindness], Mildness, Fidelity, Modesty, Continency [Chastity].
  • The ten lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments.
  • The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful Apostles.
  • The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in The Apostles' Creed.

Wow, now it doesn’t seem like such a silly song anymore! Join me in this brief prayer of Epiphany. “Lord, just as the wise men followed the star, so we commit to following you. Lead and guide us. Comfort and heal us. Let our hearts be set on you as you reveal more and more of yourself to us. We adore you and give you glory. Amen!”

Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, Baptism of Our Lord 

10 a.m. Worship with Holy Communion 

NOTE THE NEW ZOOM LINK!!!

Please join us, either in person OR via ZOOM ('hybrid' worship). If you will be worshiping via Zoom, log on or call in using these links: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85889977831?pwd=Z1hXUlBCdUlrQkhFOENKMWIzaG1tUT09

Meeting ID: 858 8997 7831, Passcode: 538710, +1 719 359 4580 US

Announcements:

Adult Education: Sunday School will resume on Jan. 8 at the usual 8:30 am time slot. We will be beginning a study of Luther’s Small Catechism. If you are new to the Lutheran faith, considering membership or baptism, or just want a refresher study, please consider joining us. You can also join us via Zoom:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82340581969?pwd=V0E5UWNzYXFWK3NoNEUxcmR3SW9KZz09

Meeting ID: 823 4058 1969, Passcode: 938515, Dial by your location, 1 719 359 4580 US

Centering Prayer: Many of you participated in Centering Prayer sessions in the past. Some of our members have requested that we consider participating in another event. There is an Introduction Centering Prayer session for free available through the Contemplative Outreach of Colorado scheduled for January 14. If you are interested in participating, please register at the link above. If we get sufficient interest, we may consider sponsoring a group from Zion’s to participate.

Council Meeting: Church council meets after worship at 11:30 a.m. on Jan. 8 .

Save the Date: Feb. 5 is Zion's Annual Meeting, watch your email, E-formation, bulletins, and newsletters, for updates and information.

For Your Reading Pleasure: The new Portals of Prayer and the January Newsletter are available in the back of the sanctuary.

Flower Guild: The Flower Chart has been replaced by the Flower Book, located in the back of the sanctuary. Now is the time to sign up for Sundays in 2023, many dates fill quickly so volunteer now. Sign up and use the envelopes in the book for your flower donation, which can be placed in the offering plate.

E-formation

Throughout the Sundays after Epiphany, the lectionary readings feature stories in which Jesus is shown forth as Christ, our Savior. The gospel for this coming Sunday tells of John the Baptist baptizing Jesus and a voice from heaven naming Jesus the Son of God. We who are baptized are also called sons and daughters of God. Come to worship, to remember and celebrate your baptism.

Matthew 3:13-17

At his baptism, Jesus hears the voice of God, receives the Spirit of God, and is acclaimed Son of God. For Christians, this narrative illumines Christian baptism, when believers also are adopted as children by the name of the triune God.

Isaiah 42:1-9

The first Servant Song is appointed because Christians have seen in it a description of Jesus Christ, the one chosen by God to bring forth justice throughout the world. By baptism, believers are called into the way of Christ to be a new creation, to receive the name of God and become lights in the world.

Acts 10:34-43

This passage from Acts is chosen to coordinate with the gospel from Matthew 3. The sermon put into Peter’s mouth places baptism as the beginning of Christian ministry. All who believe in the name of Jesus receive forgiveness.

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Zion's Lutheran Church
zionsluth@gmail.com

719-846-7785