Epiphany

Epiphany is an important date in the Christian Calendar, falling on January 6 i.e. twelve days after December 25 Christmas Day. It is believed that on the day of Epiphany, the 3 Magi visited Jesus Christ in the manger, bringing precious gifts from the Orient to honour the King of Israel. In remembrance of the Magi's act of love, the Western World celebrates Christmas Day by giving presents to each other. 

But what many Christians (yours truly included) may not know, is that there is a Christian dimension to the gifts noted in the familiar (and sometimes really irritating) tune "12 Days of Christmas" which describes the Season from Christmas (day 1) to Epiphany (day 12). 

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me..

Twelve drummers drumming,

Eleven pipers piping,

Ten lords a-leaping,

Nine ladies dancing,

Eight maids a-milking,

Seven swans a-swimming,

Six geese a-laying,

Five golden rings,

Four calling birds,

Three French hens,

Two turtle doves,

And a partridge in a pear tree.

According to some folklore, this is what the gifts meant:-

• "True love" ~ God


• "Me" ~ a Christian


• "Patridge in a pear tree" ~ the common game bird represents Jesus Christ; whereas the fruit tree represents the Cross.


• "Two turtle doves" ~ 2 sections of the Holy Bible (Old and New Testament)


• "Three French hens" ~ Holy Trinity (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit)


• "Four calling birds" ~ 4 Gospel Books in the Holy Bible (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John)


• "Five golden rings" ~ 5 books of Moses in the Holy Bible aka Pentateuch (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy)


• "Six geese a-laying" ~ 6 days of Creation (God rested on the 7th day and made it Holy)


• "Seven swans a-swimming" ~ 7 Catholic Sacraments (Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Communion, Confession, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony). A Sacrament is loosely defined as an outward sign that conveys an inward, spiritual grace through Christ. It is important to note that the Reformed Church recognises only 2 sacrements (Baptism, Holy Communion) and regard the other 5 as merely symbolic rites with no sacremental dimension.


• "Eight maids a-milking" ~ 8 Beatitudes as written in Book of Matthew and Luke of the Holy Bible. They refer to Jesus' teachings at the Sermon of the Mount where he identified qualities of inhabitants of the Kingodm of Heaven and indicate how they will be blessed. They are namely:-

- The Poor will inherit the kingdom of heaven;
- The Mourners will be comforted;
- The Hungry will be filled;
- The Persecuted for seeking righteousness will inherit the kingdom of heaven;
- The Meek will inherit the earth;
- The Merciful will obtain mercy;
- The Pure in heart will see God;
- The Peacemakers will be called sons of God.

• "Nine ladies dancing" ~ 9 Fruits of the Holy Spirit as written in Galations 5:22 of the Holy Bible. They refer to God's attributes and personality qualities that will start to flow and mesh into the core of our personality via the Holy Spirit, and are namely:-

Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-control.

• "Ten lords a-leaping" ~ 10 commandments as written in Exodus 20:1-17 of the Holy Bible. In summary, God instructed that:-

- You shall have no other gods before me.
- You shall not make for yourself any carved image, or any likeness of anything; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them.
- You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
- Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.
- Honor your father and your mother.
- You shall not murder.
- You shall not commit adultery.
- You shall not steal.
- You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
- You shall not covet your neighbor’s property.

• "Eleven pipers piping " ~ 11 faithful apostles of Jesus Christ (Simon Peter, James Major, John, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Thaddeus, Matthew, James Minor, Simon Caananite). Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus and wasn't included.


• "Twelve drummers drumming " ~ 12 points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed, which is used by the Reformed Church as the statement of the Christian belief. It reads:-

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Maker of heaven and earth(1), and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord(2);

Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the virgin Mary(3), suffered under Pontius Pilate(4), was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell. The third day He arose again from the dead(5); He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty(6); from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead(7).

I believe in the Holy Ghost(8); the holy catholic church; the communion of saints(9); the forgiveness of sins(10); the resurrection of the body(11); and the life everlasting(12).

Amen.

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I don't know about you, but I will never treat this song as a silly children tune again!