Daily Prayer: A Weekly Devotional for Prayer-Filled Living. (Photo: Jesus Club kids acting out a Bible story.)

Daily Prayer ©2006
A Devotional Guide to Prayer and Prayerful Living

Published weekly by the Partners of
Lutheran Ministries of SW Oklahoma

Vol. 13, No. 1
Week of 
January 1, 2006
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The 12 Days of Christmas
Part 2 of 2 by Pastor Ronald Boelte

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Last week we look at some of the customs and tradition of this special holiday in the church year. In America, the twelve days of Christmas is not seen as something special and is often ignored. Even the song by that title is not seen as something special. This week I want to talk more about the song as we look were it came from and conclude the last twelve days of Christmas in our meditations.

The song itself is often seen as a simple nonsense song for children. However, it is seen as a Christian song of instruction by many in the church. It dates back to the 16th century to England that was going through religious wars at the time. It has hidden references to the basic teaching of the faith which would teach the catechism to the Catholic young. The "true love" mentioned in the song is not about an earthly suitor, but is about God Himself. The "me" is for all who have been baptized into the faith and are part of the Christian faith. Each "day" refers to some important Christian faith issue that the children needed to learn about their Christian faith.

While there is no hard evidence that supports the Christian issues of this song. For the sake of Historical accuracy, we need to say that there is some uncertainty in this area. However, the evidence on the side of this being a Christian faith song is taken from logical deduction and probabilities, and Christian traditions passed down from that time in history. Even if there is some uncertainty it should not stop us from using this song in the celebration of Christmas. Many of our Christmas symbols were not originally religious in nature, but are now appropriate as vehicles of our Christian faith as we worship and proclaim our Lord and Saviors birth on this earth. After all, let us use everything we can that will help us to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas this season. Even this song that may seem like a "nonsense song" at first can help us remember the grace of God that is working to transform our lives. Let it help you.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

 

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Daily Prayer ©2006 Lutheran Ministries of Southwest Oklahoma (PO BOX 368 Lone Wolf OK 73655) Permission to reprint is granted for Christian Ministries where distribution does not exceed 500 copies and where the source is sited in such publication.