12 Days of Christmas

Our Church has the "Hanging of the Greens" program every year.  We have a lady in our church that God has surely blessed with talent and she is the one that is usually in charge of this event.

Every year....I think....there is NO WAY she can top it next year.  And, every year....she does.

This year, our tree is beautiful.  It is decorated with the "12 Days of Christmas" and each of the hanging wreaths on the window are also decorated with the theme.  Mrs. Martha hand made the ornaments for the tree.  This was the best picture I have, but it does not show the top...........which is the pear tree.

You might ask..............."What does THAT have to do with the true meaning of Christmas?"  (That was my first response.)

Boy, did I quickly learn....

The Biblical Meaning of the 12 Days of Christmas

1. 12 days of Christmas Meaning The Partridge in a Pear Tree was Jesus Christ.
2. The Two Turtle Doves were the Old and New Testaments.
3. The Three French Hens stood for faith, hope and love.
4. The Four Calling Birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.
5. The Five Golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament. The Six Geese a-Laying stood for the six days of creation.
6. The Seven Swans a-Swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit–Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
7. The Eight Maids a-Milking were the eight beatitudes.
8. The Nine Ladies Dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit–Love, Joy, Peace, Patience,
9.        Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.
10. The Ten Lords a-Leaping were the ten commandments.
11. The Eleven Pipers Piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
12. The Twelve Drummers Drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles’ Creed.