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January 06, 2006
Epiphany
Today is the Feast of the Epiphany, the twleth day after Christmas in the Western Church, the day that many Eastern Orthodox countries celebarte as Christmas. A discussion on the radio this morning reminded me of the "old" carol "The twelve days of Christmas" and I wondered how many of those who sing it lustily - frequently in many Protestant Churches - these days realise that it is in fact a very clever allegorical rendition of the Catholic Catechism!
The symbolism is very interesting as it refers us to the message of the Gospels and to the teachings of the Church and the creed. It was dressed up as a "Love Song" for use by Catholics in 16th, 17th and 18th Century Britain where the practice of the Roman Catholic Faith was proscribed in law until the Reform Acts of 1836 gave Catholics the right to freedom of worship and religious practice. It was taught across Ireland for the three centuries of Catholic suppression, and in England, Scotland and Wales, by the "Hedgerow Priests" who risked imprisonment at least, and death at worst, to keep the Catholic Church alive in the hearts of those who refused to accept the "new" forms of worship decreed by the Protestant Reformers. An example, I think, of how Christianity needs to rediscover the faith and the fact that it can and does survive when it is centred on homes, families and the hearts of it's faithful.
The allegorical references are plain if you look for them - and I find it difficult to believe that some at least of the Protestant churchmen and rulers didn't grasp the message. Perhaps that explains its popularity today. Many of you will have heard the wonderful spoof version of this which has a lawyer writing to the sender portesting at damage and threat to the health and mental wellbeing of the recipient - perhaps a truere reflection of how people respond to the message it represents today.
The references are as follows:
My true love is God,
The Partridge is His Son, Jesus Christ,
The Two turtle doves are the two sections of the Bible, the Old and the New Testaments,
The three French Hens are the three "Theological" virtues which St Paul wrote about in his letters - Faith, Hope and Charity,
Four calling birds are the four "Evangelists" - the Gospel writers,
The five golden rings are the first five books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch" of the Jewish canon,
Six geese give us the "Six Days of Creation" from Genesis,
Seven Swans refer to the seven sacramental gifts of the Holy Spirit,
The eight milking maids are the eight "Beatitudes" from the sermon on the Mount,
Nine Ladies dancing is a reference to the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit,
Ten Lord's leaping remind us of the Ten Commandments (in the 16th to 18th Centuries the Lord's was the primary Legislative House and the seat of the entire Judicial process!) thus a perfect reference to the Law of God.
Eleven Pipers was a way of remembering that eleven disciples were faithful to Christ and became the first Apostles, and finally,
the Twelve drummers, recall the twelve points of Doctrine in the Apostle's Creed.
Neat is it not? A wonderful summary of almost the entire Catechism in a form which was (and is) enjoyable to recite and formed the basis of a memory aid to the recall of all that was necessary for the schooling of children in the Catholic Faith. In an age when the vast majority had no ability to read, nor access for the most part to books, this fun rhyme gave them the opportunity to expand their knowledge and to practice their faith.
Today we greet the first of the Gentiles to recognise Christ, their coming signalled to the world that this was a gift from the God of all Creation to the whole of mankind. The waiting was over, salvation had arrived.
Perhaps we need to look again at the way the Catholic faith was kept alive in England and Ireland by use of fun devices such as this carol, and rediscover the real meaning of the season we celebrate at this time. We certainly need to assert the faith and constancy of our forebears as they struggled to keep the faith they held.
On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me A partridge in a pear tree.On the second day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.On the third day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.On the fourth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.On the fifth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.On the sixth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.On the seventh day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.On the eighth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.On the ninth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.On the tenth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.On the eleventh day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.On the twelfth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Twelve drummers drumming,
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree!
Posted by The Gray Monk at January 6, 2006 11:40 AM
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Comments
Thank you so much for the Beautiful story and
interpretation of the Twelve Days of Christmas.
It is really special and It will be a Treasure
for always.
God Blessings to you.
Warm wishes on this Epiphany
Posted by: Sandy at January 6, 2006 07:46 PM