Welcome to Twelfth Night, known as the Twelve Days of Christmas. The traditional 12-day event always begins on Dec. 24 at midnight. This celebration of Christmas has a long and complex history.
During the first century A.D., Christianity’s traditions became complicated as Christians spread their faith throughout Europe and Asia. At that time, the Julian calendar was an imperfect solar calendar used in areas once controlled by Rome.
Western European Christians followed the Julian calendar for centuries. Other countries, though, had calendars based on the moon or a combination of sun and moon cycles.
Considering differing calendar dates, Western Europeans finally established Dec. 25 to celebrate the nativity of Jesus, the Sun (or Son) of Righteousness. The first recorded Christmas celebration on the Julian calendar was in Rome on Dec. 25, 336 A.D.
Eastern European Christians did not share Western thought. The most important day to celebrate the coming of Jesus focused on the story of the visiting Magi. Eastern churches set the date of the Epiphany, Jan. 6, to celebrate the manifestation of Jesus to the world through the witness of the Magi, according to Matt 2:1–12.
In 567 A.D., the Council of Tours resolved the East-West dilemma. Those gathered established a 12-day festive sacred season, and it became known as Twelfth Night.
Centuries later, other questions about celebrating Christmas came up in Reformation England. Christmas festivities had become occasions of wild revelry. For reverence, Puritans enacted a ban on celebrations.
Many scholars believe that when Christians were forbidden to celebrate merrily, they adopted a popular Christmas chant called “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” Despite celebration bans, Christians could use the tune to teach children about the Bible and the birth of Jesus.
The original ditty may have been a type of memory game. Playing around a circle, each child repeated the gifts named and added another.
The partridge in the pear tree represents Jesus, born of Mary, given by God in the Tree of Life. The pear represents fruitfulness and birth. Two turtle doves represent the two testaments in which the Bible tells the story of faith and God’s plan of salvation.
Three French horns symbolize faith, hope, and love, while the four calling birds refer to the four evangelist gospel writers. The calling birds announce the good news.
Five golden rings means the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible known as the Torah. Six geese a-laying refers to God creating or “hatching” the world in six days.
Seven swans a-swimming represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. Wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and awe of God are identified in Isaiah 11:1–2.
Eight maids a-milking represent the Beatitudes found in Matthew 5:3–12. Nine ladies dancing are fruits of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Ten lords a-leaping are the Ten Commandments. The eleven pipers piping are the eleven faithful apostles who remained after Judas Iscariot. The twelve drummers drumming are the tenants of faith taught by the apostles and the days of Christmas.
“The Twelve Days of Christmas” reminds us that Christmas is a lasting celebration of love and joy. It shows that current attitudes may seek to override the meaning of Christmas, but true rejoicing will find a way.
On the twelfth night in some cultures, children set out their shoes and find a surprise in them on the morning of the Epiphany. This is a reminder of the Magi’s gifts to Jesus: gold, frankincense and myrrh.
If you can, commemorate Twelfth Night in your home. Giving small gifts for 12 days provides an ongoing spiritual uplift. Purchase little special gifts locally and leave them as surprises for one another. Merry Christmas to all. Janet Miller is a freelance writer specializing in family faith. She offers Family Prayers and Activities: Weekly Guides on CD for families to explore the Bible. You can contact her at jmiller
