Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, everyone! Today is the Twelfth Day of Christmas, and the last day of the Christmas season. I hope everyone is having a wonderful, bright, festive Christmastide with lots and lots of parties! Tonight is the historic Twelfth Night, when Christmas trees are taken down and burned in big bonfires, and tomorrow is the Feast of the Epiphany, when the visit of the Three Magi to the manger is celebrated.

Everybody knows the Christmas carol, "The Twelve Days of Christmas." It's celebrating these twelve days of Christmastide after Christmas Day. The carol dates back to the 16th and 17th century, when there were wars being fought in England and Europe between Catholics and Protestants over the "True Faith." When the Puritans took over England in the 17th century, the celebration of Christmas was outlawed as "popish," so this carol was created (according to some scholars) to help Catholics preserve their now-underground tradition and teach their children about their faith. Each day's "gifts" had special symbolism:

First day— A Partridge in a Pear Tree, representing Jesus Christ (the birthday boy).

Second day—Two Turtle Doves, representing the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.

Third day—Three French Hens, representing the Three Theological Virtues of faith, hope, and charity.

Fourth day—Four Calling Birds, representing the four books of the Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

Fifth day—Five Gold Rings, representing the first five books of the Bible (which is also the Jewish Torah), Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

Sixth day—Six Geese A-Laying, representing the six days of Creation.

Seventh day—Seven Swans A-Swimming, representing the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, being prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, leading, and compassion.

Eighth day—Eight Maids A-Milking, representing the eight Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount, being Blessed are the poor in spirit, Blessed are those who mourn, Blessed are the meek, Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, Blessed are the merciful, Blessed are the pure in heart, Blessed are the peacemakers, and Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake.

Ninth day—Nine Ladies Dancing, representing the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit, being love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Tenth day—Ten Lords A-Leaping, representing the Ten Commandments.

Eleventh day—Eleven Pipers Piping, representing the eleven disciples of Jesus (excluding Judas).

Twelfth day—Twelve Drummers Drumming, representing the twelve points of the Apostle's Creed, being 1) I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth; 2) I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord; 3) He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary; 4) He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell; 5) On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; 6) He will come again to judge the living and the dead; 7) I believe in the Holy Spirit; 8) the holy catholic Church; 9) the communion of saints; 10) the forgiveness of sins; 11) the resurrection of the body; and 12) the life everlasting.

Time to start taking down the Christmas decorations.