The 12 Days of Christmas... as Subversion

If you know me, then you likely know I’m a fan of the power of poetry to subvert the powers of chaos. And being that we have now landed on the sixth day of Christmas, the middle of the traditonal twelve days of Christmas, we should probably dig into that song bouncing around in your head right now. What is often viewed as silly or pseudo-romantic, is actually a highly subversive song for a people who were in the midst of heavy persecution for their trust in Jesus. It’s quite stunning in fact. Ok, here we go…

Approximately 1780, during a time when Catholics were being heavily persecuted, a song that was written by two Catholic priests, was publicly published. The piurpose was so the next generation would learn the foundations of the faith, albeit in a very subversive way. Starting on Christmas day, and then leading to the Feast of Epiphany on January 6. The first day, and each successive day began with… “my true love gave to me...” Nope, this wasn’t a mushy, romantic love. This was speaking about the True Love of the Divine… the Creator and Sustainer of all life.

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me, A Partridge in a Pear Tree. Partridge was a code name for Christ. Because partridges, especially mother partridges, take care of their young. If attacked the mother will lead the aggressor away from her young, and even give up her life for the sake of her little chicks. The Pear Tree is a symbol of the cross, where Jesus gave his life for the redemption of all. So the song begins with Jesus breaking himself open and pouring himself out for the healing of the world.

One the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me... Two Turtle Doves. The two doves represent peace and truth, as well as the First and the Second Testaments, or the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament. The Biblical library providing the narrative of the unfolding story of the Divine creating and restoring all things.

On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me Three French Hens. These were very rare and costly birds, and only wealthy kings would typically be served French Hens. There is only one King worthy of such gifts. Symbolically, we talk about the birth of Jesus the King and the gifts that would come to him in three: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me... Four Calling Birds. This represents the four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Each account summons us to live and tell the Good News of Jesus over and over again. The Good News of Jesus as The Way… for all people.

On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me... Five Golden Rings. This symbolizes the first five books in the Hebrew Scriptures, or the Torah. These books are the prelude to and the account of the Exodus from slavery for the Hebrew people. The story of a people’s flight to freedom, which is a reminder of our flight to freedom. The stories that remind us of our connection and covenant with the Divine. How the Divine is our Rescuer and our Way to true and lasting freedom.

On the sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me... Six Golden Geese. It used to be that an egg was a common gift to someone who gave birth. Because an egg is a symbol of new life… so a gift at birth. The six geese are to remind us of the beginning poem in Genesis in which the Divine created the world in six days, and that all of life and all of creation are holy and blessed… simply because the Divine created them. This is known as the first Grace.

There you have it, the first six days of Christmas told through the subversive nature of song. Tomorrow begins the second half, or day seven. Giddy up!