The twelve days of Christmas and gratitude

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 Hey everyone! I hope you've all been having a great Christmas season and end to 2023!

Around this time of year, people like to reflect. They look back over the past year and forward over the next year. They evaluate where they are in life. However, it can be so easy to get caught up in it, that we miss out on small things.

It doesn't even have to be things we did-- sometimes it can be things we received, or even ways that God was present in our lives. God is always working in ways that we can't see. Throughout the process, He has blessed us with so many gifts. More than you can imagine!

It might not seem like it, but there is a popular Christmas carol that reminds us of God's goodness-- The Twelve Days of Christmas. Apparently, Catholics who lived in England during the persecutions wanted to remind each other of the truths of their Faith, but needed a way to do it secretly. So, they composed the carol.

Each number of gifts in the song stands for a gift God gave us in that has the same quantity as the corresponding number. The "true love" in the song stands for God the father and the "me" refers to all mankind. Here's what all the gifts stand for:

-Partridge in a pear tree: Jesus

-Two turtle doves: The Old and New Testaments

-Three French hens: The Three Members of the Trinity or the three Theological Virtues

-Four calling birds: The four Gospels/four Evangelists

-Five golden rings: The Pentateuch (first five books of the Bible)

-Six geese a-laying: Six days of Creation

-Seven swans a-swimming: Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit/Seven Sacraments

-Eight maids a-milking: Eight Beatitudes

-Nine ladies dancing: Nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit

-Ten lords a-leaping: Ten Commandments

-Eleven pipers piping: Eleven faithful Apostles (not counting Judas)

-Twelve drummers drumming: Twelve statements of faith in the Apostle's Creed

 These are some of the biggest gifts that God has given us throughout history. But it should also make us reflect on all of the gifts that God has given to us personally. He's given us family and friends, homes, jobs, food, possessions, and so much more! But, as the carol reminds us, the greatest Gift of  all was Jesus coming to die for our sins so we might share in His Eternal Life. 

Think about that-- no matter where you are or what you're going through, God loved you enough to give up His Son for you. That alone should make us burst with gratitude!

Happy (late) Holidays everyone and I'll see you next time!

Bibliography

Carissimae Dei [@carissimaedei], image of saints and title "Catechism of the Christmas Song Twelve Days of Christmas", "[1/2] Catechism Song: '12 Days of Christmas'”

 "Legend has it that this song was written during a time of persecution in England between 1558 and 1829 as a catechism song for young Catholics who were forbidden to practice their faith. Each number signifies a teaching of our Faith. The song can be understood on two different levels - the literal meaning of the words, which appear harmless enough to a stranger, and the hidden meaning behind those words which expressed the religious beliefs of a people who could have been killed on account of their Catholic faith." Instagram, 12 December 2023, https://www.instagram.com/p/C0x1oS_PZUh/?img_index=1

Carissimae Dei [@carissimaedei], image of saints and title "Caechism of the Christmas Song Twelve Days of Christmas",  [2/2] Catechism Song: “12 Days of Christmas”, Ibid. Instagram, 12 December 2023, https://www.instagram.com/p/C0x1vYoPhxL/?img_index=1



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