CAMPBELL RAYMENT: How a Christmas song hid the meaning of the Christian faith

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Today (June 5) is the last day of the 12 days of Christmas.

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CAMPBELL RAYMENT: How a Christmas song hid the meaning of the Christian faith Back to video

What? Wait! Oh man and I thought Christmas was over.

Actually, the 12 Days of Christmas begins on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, and ends Jan. 5 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 Christians to share their faith secretly during a time of persecution.

It has been theorized that the Partridge 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 represent 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.

The song moves ahead 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 Jan. 5 rather than Dec. 25. It reminds 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.