"On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me - 4 colly birds ... "

Most of us recall this is "calling birds" - but the historians are saying it should be "colly birds", for "coal", as in "black as coal". That's mostly of interest to the linguists and doesn't appear to be significant in any other way. continue reading ...

"On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me - three French hens ... "

French hens - not so much. Trinity - a good possibility. Three days - triduum -  after yesterday, this is all that seemed to follow. One King, a sacrifice, three days.

"On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me - 2 turtle doves ... "

There are attempts to connect the gifts of the 12 days of Christmas to significant gifts or beliefs in Christianity. There has been no discovered author's notes, nor even an author to credit with the poem. As I thought about this one, what came to mind what the traditional sacrifice a couple would bring to the temple 8 days after their child was born. continue reading ...

One of the most familiar Christmas carols is "The Twelve Days of Christmas", perhaps because of its repetition of the stanzas for each day, perhaps because of the desire to extend the joy and celebration of Christmas over more than just one day. Whatever its current status, I find it one of the most important Christmas carols we have. continue reading ...