As a child, I was completely confused by the “12 Days of Christmas” song (and all the other “12 days” themed holiday happenings). The number 12 felt utterly unmoored from everything I knew about Christmas. The best I could come up with was that 12 is half of 24 so maybe we just get extra excited when only half the days in December that precede Christmas remain…? Tenuous, I know.
It wasn't until I began attending a liturgical church that I heard someone explain that the 12 Days START on December 25 and run all the way through January 5th's 12th Night celebrations + the Feast of Epiphany on January 6.
The major takeaway here is: Christmas is not just one day, it's an entire season! We spend most of our December waiting, watching, lighting candles, and preparing our hearts. But come December 25, it's time to party. Our waiting has paid off, the savior has come, and the joy this brings needs more than just 24 hours! We get 12 full days to take seriously the angel's call to rejoice. Let us feast!
Pray
Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and to be born [this day] of a pure virgin: Grant that we, who have been born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with you and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer
Sing
12 Days of Christmas
As a justification for the existence of the world’s most annoying Christmas song, someone once suggested that the Twelve Days of Christmas was actually a coded catechesis tool for persecuted Roman Catholics in 18th and 19th century England. The story goes that each number corresponded with a doctrine that Catholics should learn – the two turtledoves were actually the Old and New Testament; the three French hens were the gifts of faith, hope and love; the four calling birds were the four gospels, and so on. This rumor, however, is entirely baseless.
1. None of the theology which was purportedly hidden in the song is unique to Roman Catholicism. The Protestant majority of English society would have had no quibbles with the teachings allegedly coded in the song.
2. It’s entirely unclear how the song would have aided anyone in learning the concealed doctrine. I guess “turtledove” sounds a little like “testament,” but the pneumonic aid stops there.
3. The rumor can be traced back to speculative articles from the late 20th century which have no academic or historical source.
However… if you wanted to use the supposed code as a fun teaching tool for catechesis during the twelve days of Christmas, you definitely should:
On the first day of Christmas – we celebrate one Lord Jesus Christ.
On the second day – we remember the word of God in two parts, the Old and New Testament.
On the third day – we ask the Holy Spirit to help us abide in the virtues of faith, hope, and love.
On the fourth day – we give thanks for the four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John)
On the fifth day – we learn the five books of Moses’ writings (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy).
On the sixth day – we celebrate the six days of creation.
On the seventh day – we pray to receive the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit (wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of God taken from Isaiah 11:2-3a).
On the eighth day – we meditate on the eight beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12)
On the ninth day – we memorize the nine fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5:22).
On the tenth day – we ask for grace to obey the 10 commandments (Exodus 20:1-17).
On the eleventh day – we commemorate the witness of the eleven faithful apostles (obviously excluding Judas).
On the twelfth day – we review the twelve points of the Apostles Creed (or, if you’d like, you could learn the twelve tribes on Israel).
