12 days of Christmas

We tried to celebrate the 12 days of Christmas this year! The 12 days fall right between our American Christmas and the Armenian Christmas which is on January 6th! So it was a fun way for us to kind of count own between them! Tradition says that it was a mnemonic device to teach the catechism to youngsters.

1. A Partridge in the Pear Tree is for Jesus
2. Two Turtle Doves is for the Old and New Testaments
3. Three French Hens is for Faith, Hope, and Love
4. Four Calling Birds are for the Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
5. Five Golden Rings are for the Pentateuch: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy
6. Six Geese a laying are for the six days of Creation.
7. Seven Swans a Swimming are for 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)
8. Eight maids a milking are for 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)
9. Nine Ladies Dancing are for 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)
10. Lords a Leaping are for 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)
11. Eleven Pipers Piping are for the eleven faithful apostles.
12. Twelve Drummers Drumming are for The twelve points of doctrine in the the apostles creed.