The 12 Days of Christmas
From "The 12 Days of Christmas: the story behind a favorite christmas song,"  by Helen Haidle - The text for this year's Sunday School Christmas program.

Many years ago, people wanted a day on which to celebrate Jesus' birthday. Finally, three hundred and fifty years after Jesus was born, December 25 was selected as "Christ-mass," the day for his birthday party. The Twelfth Day after Christmas, January 6, was selected as the day to honor the visit of the Wise Men to Jesus. This day was called Epiphany (e-piff-an-ee). In A.D. 567, the twelve days between Christmas and Epiphany were filled
with festivals, ending with a party on the Twelfth Night. Let's take a look at a song about twelve gifts given on each of those twelve days of Christmas.

MY TRUE LOVE
No one really knows when or why the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" was written. The legend is that during the sixteenth century, the officials of the Church of England forbade all other religious teaching about Christ except theirs. So for the next two hundred years, parents who refused to join this church used the song to teach their children in secret. Let's discover the twelve Christian meanings hidden in the gifts of this song. But first of all, let's find out who gives the gifts. The song calls this giver "My True Love." Who could that person be? Who loves you and gives you many things each day? Well, the only one who does all that is God!

"Every good and perfect gift is from God." —James 1:17

A PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE
What is the first (and best) gift in this song? Do you know what a partridge is? It is a small bird that looks like a little brown chicken. This brave bird is willing to give its life to defend its babies from harm. Who does the partridge remind you of? Think of the one person who willingly gave his life for you. Jesus! And remember what a cross was made from—a
tree. So let the partridge in a pear tree remind you of Jesus, the best Christmas
gift of all, who died for us on the cross.

"God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son. Anyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life." —John 3:16

TWO TURTLEDOVES
Turtledoves (also called doves) are known as gentle birds of peace. Long ago people gave doves to God as a gift of love. Jewish fathers and mothers gave two doves to God when they brought a newborn baby to the Temple in Jerusalem. Guess what Mary and Joseph gave to God when they took Jesus to the Temple when he was a baby? Yes, two turtledoves. So let the gift of two turtledoves remind you of the two doves given to God
when Baby Jesus was first brought to the Temple.

"Joseph and Mary took Jesus to Jerusalem. There they presented him to the Lord. They also offered a sacrifice ... a pair of doves." —Luke 2:22, 24

THREE FRENCH HENS
Long ago French hens cost a lot more than ordinary chickens. Only wealthy people could buy them. What could three expensive birds remind you of? Can you think of a Bible story about three important gifts meant for a king? Remember what gifts were given to Baby Jesus? The Wise Men gave him three expensive gifts—gold, incense and myrrh. Gold is the most valuable gift of all. Incense comes from tree bark and is burned during times of prayer. Myrrh is a thick reddish gum used as a perfume. So let the three French hens remind you of three costly gifts given to Jesus by the Wise Men.

"When they saw the star, they were filled with joy. The Wise Men went to the house. There they saw the child with his mother Mary. They bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures. They gave him gold, incense and myrrh." —Matthew 2:10-11

FOUR CALLING BIRDS
God created all kinds of birds, each with a special song. Have you heard sparrows chirp or pigeons coo? Have you heard blackbirds shout caw, caw, caw? Have you heard of four men named Matthew, Mark, Luke and John who wrote about Jesus? Each of them had their own story to tell. They were like calling birds because the books they wrote called people to believe in Jesus. So let the four calling birds remind you of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John,
and the four special books they wrote.

"These are written down so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God." —John 20:31

FIVE GOLDEN RINGS
Gold rings are some of the most treasured of all gifts. Do you know someone who wears a gold ring? Jewish people consider the first five books of the Old Testament—the Torah or the Law (God's directions)—to be five great treasures worth more than gold. Can you name these five books? They tell many stories of God, Adam, Eve, Noah, Joseph and Moses. So let the five golden rings remind you of five valuable books of the Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.

"The directions the LORD gives are true. All of them are completely right. They are more priceless than gold ... than huge amounts of pure gold." —Psalm 19:9-10

SIX GEESE A-LAYING
Do you know what people in China used to hand out when a new baby was born? They gave an egg to each of their friends! Why do you think they gave an egg? Remember what is inside of each egg: a new life—a baby chick. Where does the Bible tell about six days of new life? The first two chapters of the book of Genesis tell how God made plants, birds, fish, animals, a man and a woman. So let the six geese laying eggs remind you of the new life God made in the first six days of creation.

"God saw everything he had made. And it was very good. ... It was day six." —Genesis 1:31

SEVEN SWANS A-SWIMMING
Have you ever seen a new baby swan? When it first hatches, the swan is black. It looks like an ugly duckling. As it grows and changes, it becomes more beautiful. Its neck stretches out, and its feathers turn snowy white. How do you grow as God's child? The Holy Spirit changes you on the inside—in your heart and in your mind. The Holy Spirit gives seven special gifts to God's children. These gifts help us to grow and serve others. So let seven swimming swans remind you of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.

"We all have gifts. They differ in keeping with the grace that God has given each of us. Do you have the gift of prophecy? Then use it in keeping with the faith you have. Is it your gift to serve? Then serve. Is it teaching? Then teach. Is it telling others how they should live? Then tell them, Is it giving to those who are in need? Then give freely. Is it being a leader? Then work hard at it. Is it showing mercy? Then do it cheerfully." —Romans 12:6-8

EIGHT MAIDS A-MILKING
What food do all babies need in order to grow? Milk helps your bones grow strong and healthy like God wants you to be. Do you know how reading God's Word in the Bible is like drinking milk? God's Word helps you grow in your heart and mind and spirit. Jesus taught his followers eight special sayings called the Beatitudes to help them grow strong in their faith. So let eight maids a-milking remind you of the eight Beatitudes.

"Blessed are those who are spiritually needy. The kingdom of heaven belongs to them. Blessed are those who are sad. They will be comforted. Blessed are those who are free of pride. They will be given the earth. Blessed are those who are hungry and thirsty for what is right. They will be filled. Blessed are those who show mercy. They will be shown mercy. Blessed are those whose hearts are pure. They will see God. Blessed are those who make peace. They will be called children of God. Blessed are those who suffer for doing what is right. The kingdom of heaven belongs to them." —Matthew 5.3-10

NINE LADIES DANCING
Are you a happy person? Do you ever dance when you feel joyful? Do you know people who need more joy in their lives, or more love, or peace, or patience? How does a person get all these things? God's Holy Spirit is our helper. He makes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control grow inside of us. That's a good reason to dance for joy! So let nine ladies dancing remind you of the nine qualities that God's Holy Spirit produces in your life.

"The fruit the Holy Spirit produces is love, joy and peace. It is being patient, kind and good. It is being faithful and gentle and having control of oneself." —Galatians 5:22-23

TEN LORDS A-LEAPING
Long ago lords were important men whose commands had to be obeyed. People honored lords and obeyed their rules. Whose rules do you obey? Do you know the ten important rules God asks us to follow? The Ten Commandments tell us what to do and what not to do. They show us how to love God and other people. So let the ten leaping lords remind you of The Ten Commandments, which we are to obey.

"I am the LORD your God. ... Do not put any other gods in place of me. Do not make statues of gods ... or worship them. ... Do not misuse the name of the LORD your God. ... Remember to keep the Sabbath day holy. ... Honor your father and mother. ... Do not commit murder. Do not commit adultery. Do not steal. Do not give false witness against your neighbor. Do not long for anything that belongs to your neighbor." —Exodus 20:2-17

ELEVEN PIPERS PIPING
Years ago a piper was a man who traveled through villages playing happy tunes on his flute-pipe. What do you think happened when children heard his music? They followed him all over town! Twelve disciples followed Jesus everywhere he went, but only eleven faithfully stayed with him. Judas double-crossed Jesus. Like pipers, the eleven disciples piped the song of God's love everywhere they went. Many people listened to their message and followed Jesus, too. So let eleven pipers piping help you to remember to follow Jesus.

"So Jesus appointed the Twelve. ... Peter ... James ... and his brother John. ... Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas and James, son of Alphaeus ... Thaddaeus and Simon the Zealot, Judas Iscariot was one of them, too. He was the one who was later going to hand Jesus over to his enemies." —Mark 3:16-19

TWELVE DRUMMERS DRUMMING
What is a drummer's special job? A drummer must beat out a steady rhythm so everyone can march or play music together in unity. What would happen if drummers stopped drumming? Christians belong to many different churches, but one thing gives them unity—their common beliefs. The Apostles' Creed lists twelve things Christians believe about God. This brings oneness and unity, like a band marching to the drummers' beat. So let twelve drummers drumming remind you of The Apostles' Creed—twelve important beliefs of Christians.

The Apostles' Creed: I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell; the third day he rose from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father. He shall return to judge both the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.