The blessings of opportunity

Sometimes we are blessed with unexpected opportunities. Each Christmas season the Bella Vista Community Church has an English Tea to which the public is invited. Several of the other Bella Vista churches are invited to design a display table.

As a member of the Presbyterian Church of Bella Vista, I was given the opportunity to design a table this year. Since I have a set of The Twelve Days of Christmas china, my design was already chosen. One of the fun things about anything that comes my way is to do a bit of research on the topic and see what can be discovered.

Imagine my surprise when I found the following information.

During the time from the middle 1500s through the early 1800s, Catholicism was outlawed in England. However, in 1995 a Byzantine Catholic priest from Granville, N.Y., claimed that this song was written as a 'catechism song' to help young students learn the tenants of the Catholic faith.

While there is no proof that this was the case, it makes an interesting story and the priest eventually admitted that his report regarding The Twelve Days of Christmas is made up of both fact and fiction. Whether it is true or not, I found it added to the fascination of the lyrics for me.

A Partridge in a Pear Tree ... Jesus Christ, the son of God.

Two Turtle Doves ... the Old and New Testament.

Three French Hens ... the theological virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity.

Four Colly Birds ... the four gospels or Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Five Gold Rings ... the first five books of the Old Testament.

Six Geese A-Laying ... refers to the six days of creation.

Seven Swans A-Swimming ... refers to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit -- prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, leading, compassion.

Eight Maids A-Milking ... this stands for the eight Beatitudes.

Nine Ladies Dancing ... the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit -- love, joy, peace, patience, generosity, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control.

Ten Lords A-Leaping ... refers to the Ten Commandments.

Eleven Pipers Pipping ... this stands for the 11 faithful apostles.

Twelve Drummers Drumming ... these are the 12 point of doctrine found in the Apostle's Creed.

As one reflects on these interpretations, the lyrics with which we are all familiar can now bring a more meaningful reason for the season. The birth of Jesus Christ, God's gift to us, is the blessing for which we all give thanks.

Merry Christmas to all and to all ... God Bless.

***

Burgess moved to Bella Vista in 1995. She considers each day a gift -- although some are more fun to open than others.

Editorial on 12/23/2015