Column As I See

Twelve Days of Christmas
Copyright 2005 by Suzy Wurtz

     An ad heralded, “Stocking stuffers under 25!” I was appalled. I thought stocking stuffers were peanuts, oranges, and travel-sized shampoo that I take from hotels. Yikes. Twenty-five dollars is more than I spend on a “big” present.
    The gifting tradition stems from the original Christmas story in which people brought gifts to the baby Jesus. The Epiphany or the 12th day of Christmas is the feast of the Magi, or the Three Kings. In some cultures, the Feast of the Kings is the day to exchange gifts—and not just gold, frankincense, and myrrh. There is also an old tradition that gifts are given each day between December 25 and January 6.
    You know about those days, of course, because you know the song. The Twelve Days of Christmas is a fun, holiday carol and memory exercise. Though most people see it as a secular song, there is lore that the song has religious roots. According to the religious legend found on a few websites, here are the supposed secret meanings:

	One partridge in a pear tree-Jesus
	Two turtle doves-Old and New Testaments
	Three French hens-the virtues faith, hope and love
	Four calling birds-four gospels of the New Testament
	Five golden rings-first five books of the Old Testament
	Six geese a’laying-six days of creation
	Seven swans a’swimming-seven sacraments or seven gifts of the Holy Spirit (prophesy, serving, teaching, exhortation, contribution, leadership and mercy)
	Eight maids a’milking-the eight beatitudes (“Blessed are the…”)
	Nine ladies dancing-nine fruits of the Holy Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control)
	Ten lords a leaping-ten commandments
	Eleven piper’s piping-eleven faithful apostles
	Twelve drummers drumming-twelve doctrinal points of the Apostles’ Creed

    Before you get too excited about this revelation, the Urban Legends reference page at snopes.com, says this myth isn’t true. The Catholic Information Network agrees that much of the song’s religious legend is fiction. But it’s fun to consider, isn’t it?
    As for me, I always liked ‘60’s comedian Allan Sherman’s parody in which he replaced “five golden rings” with his warbled “a statue of lady with a clock where her stomach ought to be.”
    For a number a years, a group has estimated the price for the twelve gifts of Christmas. This year it’s up more than 6% from last year with a price tag of over $18,000. Of course, you may not be able to import the three French hens due the avian flu.
    My true love already gives me everything I want. But if any of you want to give me gifts over those 12 days, here is my wish list:

1^st Day of Christmas -World peace.
2^nd Day of Christmas- Explain Kwaanza to me again.
3^rd Day of Christmas -Eradicate world hunger.
4^th Day of Christmas- Continued good health for my family.
5^th Day of Christmas- Get my teenager to wear snow boots.
6^th Day of Christmas- Remind me to spend more time with people I love.
7^th Day of Christmas- A contract with a firm in India to do my clerical tasks while I sleep.
8^th Day of Christmas- Feed me really good food.
9^th Day of Christmas- End irritating talk radio and television shows.
10^th Day of Christmas-Establish grammar police.
11^th Day of Christmas- Get me a beauty makeover, including losing 20 pounds.
12^th Day of Christmas- Celebrate my latest birthday, which falls on the Feast of Kings, January 6.

Although if you can find ten lords a’ leaping, I might re-do my list.

Happy holidays to you, no matter what your tradition.

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