By Rev. Sharon Campbell Rayment – Special to the Sydenham Current
January 5, 2023 was the last day of the 12 days of Christmas.
What? Wait!
Oh man and I thought Christmas was over.
Actually the 12 Days of Christmas begins on Christmas Day, the 25th of December and ends January 5th of the following year.
We start this countdown singing the Christmas song, The 12 Days of Christmas written by Frederic Austin in 1909.
Now in my research I discovered an idea that the “12 Days of Christmas” was used by Christian’s during their persecution to share Christianity secretly.
It has been theorized that the Patridge in the Pear Tree symbolically is Jesus.
He is presented as a mother partridge, a bird that will die to protect their children.
Two turtle doves represents the Old Testament and the New Testaments.
The three French hens are faith, hope, and love.
Four calling birds are the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
The five golden rings are the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament.
And proceeds through six days of creation (geese a-laying), seven gifts of the holy spirit (swans a-swimming), eight beatitudes (maids a-milking), nine fruits of the holy spirit (ladies dancing), the 10 commandments (lords a leaping), 11 faithful apostles (pipers piping) and 12 points of belief in the Apostle’s Creed (drummers drumming).
I think it is fitting to end the 12 Days of Christmas on January 5th rather than the 25th of December to remind us that Christmas is not just about one day.
Christmas is about being humble and kind all year long illuminating the Essence of God, the Divine light that shines with radiant intensity as we share love, hope, joy and peace with one another.
Until next time my friends remember every breath you take is a breath of God Uniting All of Our Relations as One.
One Breath, One Heartbeat, One Song.
