The Origin of "Twelve Days of Christmas"

I got this in email this morning, it made me think. I have never heard this before as to where this song we sing during Christmas season originated from. Read on!

On the 1st day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

A Partridge in a Pear Tree
The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus the Christ, the Son of God, whose birthday we celebrate on December 25, the first day of Christmas. In the song, Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge that feigns injury to decoy predators from her helpless nestlings, recalling the expression of Christ's sadness over the fate of Jerusalem: "Jerusalem! Jerusalem! How often would I have sheltered you under my wings, as a hen does her chicks, but you would not have it so . . . ." (Luke 13:34)

On the 2nd day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Two Turtle Doves
The Old and New Testaments, which together bear witness to God's self-revelation in history and the creation of a people to tell the Story of God to the world.

On the 3rd day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Three French Hens
The Three Theological Virtues: 1) Faith, 2) Hope, and 3) Love (1 Corinthians 13:13)

On the 4th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Four Calling Birds
The Four Gospels: 1) Matthew, 2) Mark, 3) Luke, and 4) John, which proclaim the Good News of God's reconciliation of the world to Himself in Jesus Christ.

On the 5th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Five Gold Rings
The first Five Books of the Old Testament, known as the Torah or the Pentateuch: 1) Genesis, 2) Exodus, 3) Leviticus, 4) Numbers, and 5) Deuteronomy, which gives the history of humanity's sinful failure and God's response of grace in the creation of a people to be a light to the world.

On the 6th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Six Geese A-laying
The six days of creation that confesses God as Creator and Sustainer of the world (Genesis 1).

On the 7th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Seven Swans A-swimming
The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: 1) prophecy, 2) ministry, 3) teaching, 4) exhortation, 5) giving, 6) leading, and 7) compassion (Romans 12:6-8; cf. 1 Corinthians 12:8-11)

On the 8th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Eight Maids A-milking
The eight Beatitudes: 1) Blessed are the poor in spirit, 2) those who mourn, 3) the meek, 4) those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, 5) the merciful, 6) the pure in heart, 7) the peacemakers, 8) those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. (Matthew 5:3-10)

On the 9th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Nine Ladies Dancing
The nine Fruit of the Holy Spirit: 1) love, 2) joy, 3) peace, 4) patience, 5) kindness,
6) generosity, 7) faithfulness, 8) gentleness, and 9) self-control. (Galatians 5:22)

On the 10th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Ten Lords A-leaping
The ten commandments: 1) You shall have no other gods before me; 2) Do not make an idol; 3) Do not take God's name in vain; 4) Remember the Sabbath Day; 5) Honor your father and mother; 6) Do not murder; 7) Do not commit adultery; 8) Do not steal; 9) Do not bear false witness; 10) Do not covet. (Exodus 20:1-17)

On the 11th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Eleven Pipers Piping
The eleven Faithful Apostles: 1) Simon Peter, 2) Andrew, 3) James, 4) John, 5) Philip, 6) Bartholomew, 7) Matthew, 8) Thomas, 9) James bar Alphaeus, 10) Simon the Zealot, 11) Judas bar James. (Luke 6:14-16). The list does not include the twelfth disciple, Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus to the religious leaders and the Romans.

On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Twelve Drummers Drumming
The twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles Creed: 1) I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. 2) I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. 3) He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. 4) He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell [the grave]. 5) On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. 6) He will come again to judge the living and the dead. 7) I believe in the Holy Spirit, 8) the holy catholic Church, 9) the communion of saints, 10) the forgiveness of sins, 11) the resurrection of the body, 12) and life everlasting.

Epiphany, January 6

The Epithany

So there is your history for today. This knowledge was shared with me and I found it interesting and enlightening. Now I know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol...so pass it on if you wish! :D

The Special Gift Of A Friend

"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 6:23 (NASB)

A friend of yours came to surprise you with a gift, what would you do? Will you reach down your pocket and take some bills to pay for the gift? Or you will accept the gift and thank your friend for the very nice surprise? Of course you will accept the gift and not pay for it because if you do, you are insulting your friend.

This is very similar with what God is offering you, a free gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ! He's giving it to you and you cannot pay for it. Why? Because we are sinners, even if we're not born yet, we have the curse of sin from our forefathers, even from the first man and woman that walked the earth, hence, we are not perfect.

"...everyone has sinned and is far away from God's saving presence. But by the free gift of God's grace all are put right with Him through Christ Jesus, who sets them free. God offered Him, so that by His blood He should become the means by which people's sins are forgiven through their faith in Him. ..." - Romans 3:23-26 (TEV)

As it is said, we can only be worthy of the gift of eternal life if we believe that Jesus Christ is the only way to God. Eternal life means living in the presence of the Lord in heaven after your life on earth has ended. You cannot save yourself for you have to be perfect to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. That's why God solved this problem by giving His only Son to be our Savior.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." - John 3:16 (NASB)

If you die today, do you know where your soul will be? Wouldn't it be nice to know that even while you are still alive you may have the assurance that you will go to heaven after you die? God has already given you the answer, He is giving you His gift of eternal life through His Son Jesus Christ.

Now, do you want to accept this free gift that God is offering you?

First, you must believe (have faith) that Jesus Christ is Lord, the Son of God, and He is the only way to have eternal life. You must put your trust in Him totally, 100%, and accept that you cannot save yourself.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast." - Ephesians 2:8-9 (NASB)

Second, you have to ask for forgiveness of all of your sins, old and new, hidden or exposed. We have to repent from doing anything that is not acceptable in the eyes of God. Repenting means to never go back, turning your back away from sin. And God will cleanse us from all of our sins.

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." - 1John 1:9 (NASB)

Third, invite Jesus Christ to come into your life as your Lord and your Savior, acknowledge that without Him you are nothing. He has given His life for you, died for your sins on the cross and rose again to prepare a place for you in heaven. Jesus Christ is waiting for you to accept Him into your life.

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me." - Revelations 3:20 (NASB)

Now if you are sure that you want to accept this free gift that God is giving you, you can pray this prayer of acceptance, as heartfelt and as true, for this is the greatest gift that you will ever receive.

"Lord God. I come to You a sinner and I humbly repent of my sins. I believe that Jesus is Lord and I believe You raised Him from the dead. I ask that Jesus will come into my life and be my Lord and Savior. I receive Jesus to change and take control of my life that I may live for Him from this day forth and from now on. Thank You Lord Jesus for saving me and cleansing me with Your precious blood. In Jesus name, Amen."

If you have truly prayed this prayer and you truly believe that Jesus Christ is now inside your heart and you have received the gift of eternal life, you are now a child of God, forever!

"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life." - John 6:47 (NASB)

"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.." - John 1:12 (NASB)

Now, you must be watchful because the demon will attack your thoughts and will deceive you, it will try to persuade you that you are not yet saved. You must read the Bible to strengthen your faith. I recommend that you start with the Gospel of John. And if you can find a church that is teaching the Word of God using the Bible, you can join them to learn more and to give praises to the Lord, they can also help you strengthen more your faith in the Lord.

You may also send us your name, your address and your prayer requests so that we can pray for you. You may write to us or visit us here:

Imus Conservative Baptist Church
Sampaguita Village 1, Gen. Aguinaldo Highway, Imus
4103 Cavite
Philippines

WELCOME TO THE FAMILY OF GOD! May the Lord God bless you always!