Today is Friday, December 11th, 2009; Karen's Korner #1715

What a time of the year! I am receiving emails from people about Christmas; many times with the note, "This could make a good Karen's Korner."
 
This one was forwarded to me by Florine Swanson:

The Christian Origin of the Twelve Days of Christmas

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 Christ, the Son of God, whose birthday we celebrate on the first day of Christmas. The tree itself represents the cross on which Jesus died.

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, 3) Love (1 Corinthians 13:13).

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

The four Gospel evangelists: 1) Matthew, 2) Mark, 3) Luke, 4) John.

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 Pentateuch:1) Genesis, 2) Exodus, 3) Leviticus, 4) Numbers, 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 reveal 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) Piety, 2) Fortitude, 3) Knowledge, 4) Understanding, 5) Counsel, 6) Wisdom 7) Fear of the Lord.

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.

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

The nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit: 1) Love, 2) Joy, 3) Peace, 4) Patience, 5) Kindness, 6) Generosity, 7) Faithfulness, 8) Gentleness, 9) Self-control (Galatians 5:22-23)

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.

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 the Greater, 4) John, 5) Philip, 6) Bartholomew, 7) Matthew, 8) Thomas, 9) James the Less, 10) Simon, 11) Jude (Luke 6:14-16) The list does not include the twelfth disciple, Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus to the Romans.

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

The twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's 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.

© St. Paul’s Monastery 2009

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