Sermon Tone Analysis

*Twelve Days of Christmas*

 

This is the time of year that we sing Christmas Carols most of which tell us about the *birth of Jesus* or the events around that *great event*.

However there are a few Christmas Carols that do not seam to have anything to do with Christmas one of them being *The Twelve Days of Christmas*,

 

Apart from letting us know that Christmas has twelve days, it tells us that someone’s *true love* sent them some *presents*, but what has such strange presents to do with the *birth of Jesus*.

*A partridge in a pear tree, *

*Two turtle doves, *

*Three French hens, *

*Four calling birds, *

*Five gold rings, *

*Six geese a-laying, *

*Seven swans’ a-swimming, *

*Eight maids’ a-milking, *

*Nine ladies dancing, *

*Ten lords’ a-leaping, *

*Eleven pipers piping, *

*Twelve drummers drumming.

*

 

It is a good deal more than just a melody with pretty phrases and a list of strange gifts.

From 1558 to 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted by law to practice their faith openly or in private.

"The Twelve Days of Christmas" was written in England during that period as a "catechism song" to help young Catholics learn their faith.

It was a memory aid, as to be caught with anything in *writing* to do with the catholic faith, could be taken to mean that you were a Roman Catholic.

It was a very serous crime to be a Roman Catholic during that period in history.

As the punishment for being a Roman Catholic was imprisoned, or hanging.

This carol has two meanings the words that we sing and a hidden meaning that was only know to the members of their faith.

Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.

The "*true love*" mentioned in the song doesn't refer to an earthly suitor, it refers to *God*.

The giver of gifts and the giver of *Greatest gift* off all, *Jesus Christ*.

The *"me"* who receives the presents, refers to every person that has been *baptized* in to the *faith* of the *Church*.

*A  partridge in a pear tree,*

The Partridge is Jesus Christ and the Pear Tree is the *Cross* on which He was *Crucified.*

It also remind us of the *Resurrection,* on that First Easter Day, when *Jesus* over came death, and showed us that he was the *Son of God*.

*2.

Turtle doves *

Represents the Old & New Testaments of the Bible.

The *Old Testament* is made up of 36 books which are dived up us follows;               

*Hexateuch                              *6 books

*History of Israel                     *8

*Poetry                                    *4

*Wisdom                                  *2

*The Four Great Prophets     *4

*Twelve Minor Prophets*        12* *

* *

*The New Testament *is made up of 27 books which are dived up as follows;

*Gospels*                                   4 books

*Acts of the Apostles               *1

*Pauline Epistles*                     13

*Epistle to the Hebrews*          1

*General Epistles*                    7

*Revelation*                              1

 

*3.

French hens’*

Stands for *Faith*, *Hope* and *Love* (1 Corinthians 13 v13)

 

*Faith*, *Hope* and *Love*, are the three principal graces, of which *love* is the greatest.

A life which begins in the *Faith* of *Christ* expresses itself through *Love* and is sustained by the *Hope* of salvation.*

*

* *

*Love* is not only the greatest gift of the Sprit; it is the only one which abides throughout eternity.

* *

*4.

Calling Birds*

Are the four Gospels; *Matthew, Mark, Luke & John*.

*Matthew* – Gospel was written in the first place to the Jews and tells the *Good News* that *Jesus* is the *promised* *Savior* – the *Messiah* whom the Jews had been expecting for so long.

*Mark *– Gospel is full of *action*, it is full of* life* and tells us about what *Jesus* *did*, and where he *went* – rather than what he said and taught.

*Luke –* Gospel is the most detailed and *also* tells us about the *growth* and *spread* of *Christianity* after *Jesus* return to Heaven, which *Luke* continues to tells about in the *Acts* of the Apostles.

*John* - Gospel is more concerned with the meaning of the events then with the events themselves.

*John* also explains the miracles of *Jesus* as *signs*, showing us who *Jesus* really is.

 

*Jesus* through the Gospels tells us that, *He* is the *Way* the *Truth* and the *Life*, and no one comes to the *Father* except through *Him*.

(John 14.6)                                 

 

*5.

Gold rings*

Stand for the *Torah*, which is a name for the first 5 books of the Bible; *Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers & Deuteronomy.*

* *

*Torah* is also known as the Books of Moses and is the Hebrew Bible.

* *

*Genesis -* tells about the creation, the origin of mankind, how things began to go wrong and *Gods* purpose for his creation.

*Exodus –* tells us how the people of Israel left Egypt, where they had been slaves, and how they *emerged* as a *nation* and *given hope* for the *future*.

*Leviticus – *is the rule book, it contains the *laws* about *religious ceremonies, worship and daily life,* which were designed to keep the people of Israel in the *right relationship with God.*

* *

*Numbers –*this tells us about the Israelites during almost forty years of wandering in the Sinai Desert, the book begins just after their escape from Egypt and ends just before they enter the land that *God* had promised them.

*Deuteronomy – *consists of a number of speeches given by *Moses* to the Israelites in the plains of Moab, just before they entered the Promised Land, he also tells them that *God* had saved and blessed *His* people, and that they must *always remember this* and to *love* and *obey* *God*

* *

*6.

Geese a-laying*

Refer to the 6 days of creation.

(Genesis 1 v1)

 

On the *first* day; *God* created day and night

 

On the *Second* Day; *God* created the firmament

 

On the *third* day; *God* created the Dry land and the seas, plants and trees

.

On the *forth* day; *God* created Day and Night, the Sun, Moon stars and the seasons.

On the *fifth* day; *God* created the sea creatures and the birds

.

On the *sixth* day; *God* created the land animals and other creatures.

Also on the sixth day, *God* also created Mankind in is his own image.

*7.

Boys a-singing*

Stand for the *sevenfold* *gift* of the *Holy Spirit*; (Isaiah.11.2)

*Wisdom, *

*Understanding, *

*Counsel, *

*Fortitude, *

*Knowledge, *

*Piety *

*Fear of the Lord.

*

 

*8.

Maids a-milking*

Are the eight Beatitudes: (Mathew 5 v 3-11)

 

*Blessed* are the *poor in sprit*, for theirs is the *kingdom** of                                    Heaven**.*

 

*Blessed* are those who *mourn*, for they shall be *comforted.*

*Blessed* are the *meek*, for they shall *inherit the earth*.

*Blessed* are those who *hunger* and *thirst* for *righteousness*, for they shall be *satisfied*.

*Blessed* are the *merciful*, for they shall obtain *mercy*.

*Blessed* are the *pure* in heart, for they shall *see God*.

*Blessed* are the *pacemakers*, for they shall be called *sons of God.*

 

*Blessed* are those who are *persecuted* for righteousness sake, for theirs is the *Kingdom of Heaven*

 

*9.

Ladies dancing*

Stand for the *9 fruiters* of the *Holy Spirit*: (Galatians 5 v22)

*Love, *