Traditionally, in Christian liturgical tradition, Christmastide (The Season of Christmas) slowly developed … even before the early Middle Ages. By the fourth century, western Christianity had agreed that December 25th was the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ while eastern Christianity emphasized January 6th. Sometime in the medieval period in western Europe, especially in England, Christmas became a twelve day Season from December 25 to January 6th with both cultural celebration and religious observance marked by families getting together with feasting, entertainment, music, and gift-giving.
The song Twelve Days of Christmas (the song’s lyrics were first published in England in the late 18th century by unknown lyricist. The melody was arranged by English composer Frederic Austin in 1909. The song reflected the cultural context by referencing the calendar structure of Christmastide rather than serving as a theological explanation. Bottom lineL the “twelve days,” historically grounded in the Christian liturgical calendar, also reflect a secular time of celebration.
Over the centuries, many have tried various interpretations of the specific listing of the days in the 12 day Season: allegorical … romantic … educational … symbolic … Christian catechism interpretations assigning religious meaning to each gift … modern interpretations.
And that’s where “Soulistry-Artistry of the Soul” entered so on each of the days during the 12 Days of Christmas, a Reflection on one of the 12 Days of Christmas will be published to encourage consideration of how each of the days of Christmas can be applied to present day life by each of us.
The original song included these days:
- A partridge in a pear tree
- Two turtle doves
- Three French hens
- Four calling birds (often sung as “four colly birds” in older versions)
- Five gold rings
- Six geese a-laying
- Seven swans a-swimming
- Eight maids a-milking
- Nine ladies dancing
- Ten lords a-leaping
- Eleven pipers piping
- Twelve drummers drumming
© June Maffin
https://soulistry.com/blog
https://soulistry.com/and-now-the-12-days-of-christmas-begin
Special thanks and appreciation to artist Cari Ferraro (https://www.instagram.com/cariscribe/) for permission to use her lovely artwork.
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