Twelve Days Of Christmas

Text:

1Corinthians 1:18:

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

 

Theme:

Twelve Days of Christmas

 

Introduction:

• The 12 Days Of Christmas
  • I sang this song all the time growing up and never knew its origin. I never even understood what half of the days literally meant.
• We will look at why the song was made and what the 12 days TRULY stand for!

Body: 

 

• From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly.
  • Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics
  • Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality, which the children could remember
• Catechism – a handbook of questions and answers for learning a religion
  • The basic information for the new convert à here, children

• They used the commonplace, sometimes even silly, symbols to represent the core, critical tenets of the Christian faith!
  • 1Corinthians 1:18, “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”

The song has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church.

• The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
• Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.
• Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.
• The four calling birds were the four gospels
  • Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.
• The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
• The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
• Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit
  • Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
• The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
• Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit
  • Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control.
• The ten lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments.
• The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
• The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles’ Creed.

 

Conclusion:

• What the world rejected is the foundation for eternal life for the child of God!
  • Luke 20:17, “And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?”

• We must study as the children did!!!!!!

• • 2 Timothy 2:15, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

• Thank God for His WORD!!!!!
  • John 17:17, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

 

 

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