The Twelve Days of Christmas

For nearly 300 years it was illegal to be a practicing Catholic in England. Catholic parents wanted to teach their children about God and celebrate their beliefs, and so the story goes that they became creative. Some say they developed the "Christmas Code" that became the "12 days of Christmas". I find it interesting that our city chose this as their theme for this year's light tour. We've not had some of the situations we hear about on the news. The radio station we listened to at the city sponosred Light Tour constantly encouraged us to remember the "meaning of the season" and our county courthouse has a big nativity on the front lawn. Below I break the code and then show pictures from the light tour...in no particular order.

Breaking the Code:
My True Love = God who gives all the gifts listed in the song

A partridge in a pear tree = Jesus, who gave His life on a tree

Two turtle doves = Old and New Testaments

Three french hens = Faith, Hope and Love

Four calling birds = Mathew, Mark, Luke, John - the gospels

Five golden rings = Pentateuch - 1st 5 books in the Bible

Six geese a laying = six days of creation

Seven swans a swimming = Seven gifts of the spirit (Rm. 12:6-8)

Eight Maids a Milking = eight beatitudes (Matt 5:3-10)

Nine ladies dancing = nine fruits of the spirit (Gal. 5:22 - 23)

Ten lords a leaping = ten commandments

Eleven pipers piping = eleven faithful disciples

Twelve drummers drumming = 12 points of the apostle's creed

*based on info from "The ADVENTure of Christmas" by Lisa Whelchel.

Light Tour: