How many of you could remember that entire song before we
just listened to it? I was never good at
remembering all of the parts to the song, but I’ve gotten better since I picked
up the Reliant K CD. It is a lot
catchier to me than the old version. Of course that has been the point of the
last few weeks is to check out some new versions of classic songs.
One of the interesting things about the 12 Days of Christmas
is that every year a group of accountants get together and determine how much
it would cost to give someone the presents for each day of the song. Have I told you before how cool accountants
are, because we are awesome! So how much do you think it costs this year? $107,300.
I’m guessing none of you are getting $107,300 spent on you this
Christmas.
I have 2 trivia questions for you.
1.
What do you think the most expensive item
is? (7 Swans swimming = $7,000)
2.
What do you think is the cheapest item? (8 maids
milking = $58, minimum wage)
You may be asking yourself what the 12 Days of Christmas
song has to do with Jesus Christ, the Bible, or youth group. Well it is definitely not because I’m going
to spend $107,300 buying you presents.
Do the 12 days have something to do with the Bible? Probably not.
The song probably has very little to do with our faith….but what if it
did? Hugh McKellar, a Canadian teacher
in 1979 wrote an article to “decode” the song.
This is what he came up with:
12 Drummers Drumming
– The 12 points of the Apostles 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.
5. He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
6. He ascended into heaven and
is seated at the right hand of the Father.
7. He will come again to judge
the living and the dead.
8. I believe in the Holy
Spirit,
9. the holy catholic Church, the
communion of saints,
10. the forgiveness of sins,
11. the resurrection of the
body,
12. and life everlasting.
Amen.
11 Pipers Piping –
11 faithful Apostles
Remember that there were 12 Disciples,
but Judas betrayed Jesus.
Peter, Andrew, James, John,
Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James, Thaddaeus, & Simon
10 Lords a leaping –
10 Commandments
The laws that Moses took from
Mount Sinai
1.
Place no gods before God
2.
Do not make any carved image to worship
3.
Don’t take the Lord’s name in vain.
4.
Keep the Sabbath day holy.
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 against your neighbor.
10.
Don’t covet your neighbor’s possessions.
9 Ladies Dancing -
9 Fruits of the Holy Spirit
According to Paul in Galatians 5 –
Love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,
and self-control.
8 Maids a milking –
8 Beatitudes
From
Matthew 5 – Blessed are:
the
poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (5:3)
those
who mourn: for they will be comforted. (5:4)
the
meek: for they shall inherit the earth. (5:5)
they
who hunger and thirst for righteousness: for they will be satisfied. (5:6)
the merciful:
for they will be shown mercy. (5:7)
the
pure in heart: for they shall see God. (5:8)
the
peacemakers: for they shall be called children of God. (5:9)
those
who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness: for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven. (5:10)
7 Swans a swimming –7 gifts of the Holy Spirit
Isaiah 11 – Understanding,
Counsel, Fortitude/Courage, Knowledge, Piety/Reverence, Fear of the Lord/Wonder
and Awe, and Wisdom
6 Geese a laying –
6 days of creation
5 gold rings –
the first 5 books of the Bible
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus,
Numbers, & Deuteronomy – The teachings of God given to Moses
4 calling birds –
the 4 Gospels
3 French Hens –
3 kings bearing gifts
2 turtle doves –
2 books of the Bible – Old and New Testament
1 partridge in a pear tree -
Jesus
There you have it.
You can use the 12 Days of Christmas to represent 12 gifts that God gave
to each of you. Even though the song may
not be Biblical, we can still use it to remember that God loves us and has
given us a lot. As we get closer to
Christmas remember that the most important gift God gave us is the gift of his
son, Jesus Christ. Happy birthday Jesus!
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