“On the 12th Day of Christmas…”
In 567 AD, the Council of Tours ended a dispute.
Western Europe celebratedChristmas, December 25, as the holiest day of the season…
but Eastern Europe celebratedEpiphany, JANUARY 6, recalling the Wise Men’s visit and Jesus’ baptism.
It could not be decided which day was holier, so the Council made all 12 days from December 25 to January 6 “holy days” or “holidays,”
These became known as “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”
The Council of Tours 567 AD also returned the beginning of the year back to the ancient date of March 1st,
as January 1st was thought to be a pagan date since it picked by Roman Emperor Julius Caesar.
Remnants of March being thefirst month of the year can be seen in the names of months September, October, November and December:
“Sept” is Latin for seven;
“Oct” is Latin for eight (ie. octogon=eight sided);
“Nov” is Latin for nine; and
“Dec” is Latin for ten (ie. decimal=divisible by ten).
In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII decided to revise the calendar again, moving the beginning of the year to January 1st.
He eliminated ten days and adjusted how ‘leap year’ was calculated so Easter would be closer to the Jewish Passover.
Beginning in 1534, Henry VIII made England’s official denomination was theChurch of England.
The national government exercised control over religious services, doctrine, expression and restricted the freedom of speech.
During most of this time, Catholics, Puritans, nonconformists, separatists, and other dissenters fled from England to other European countries and to colonies in America.
Dissenters who remained in England practiced their faith in secret, suffered government persecution and even martyrdom.
In 1625, a type of Sunday school catechism song came into use to teach children Christian doctrine, titled “In Those Twelve Days,” where a spiritual meaning was assigned to each day, possibly inspiring the popular song “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”
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Chorus:
In those twelve days, and
in those twelve days,
let us be glad,
For God of his power hath all things made.
1. What is that which is but one?
What is that which is but one?
We have but one God alone
In Heaven above sits on his throne. Chorus
2. What are they which are but two?
What are they which are but two?
Two Testaments, as we are told,
The one is New and the other Old. Chorus
3. What are they that are but three?
What are they that are but three?
Three persons in the Trinity,
The Father, Son, and Ghost Holy. Chorus
4. What are they that are but four?
What are they that are but four?
Four Gospels written true,
John, Luke, Mark, and Matthew. Chorus
5. What are they that are but five?
What are they that are but five?
Five senses we have to tell,
God grant us grace to use them well. Chorus
6. What are they that are but six?
What are they that are but six?
Six ages this world shall last,
Five of them are gone and past. Chorus
7. What are they that are but seven?
What are they that are but seven?
Seven days in the week have we,
Six to work and the seventh holy. Chorus
8. What are they that are but eight?
What are they that are but eight?
Eight beatitudes are given,
Use them well and go to Heaven. Chorus
9. What are they that are but nine?
What are they that are but nine?
Nine degrees of Angels high
Which praise God continually. Chorus
10. What are they that are but ten?
What are they that are but ten?
Ten Commandments God hath given,
Keep them right and go to Heaven. Chorus
11. What are they that are but eleven?
What are they that are but eleven?
Eleven thousand virgins did partake
And suffered death for Jesus’ sake. Chorus
12. What are they that are but twelve?
What are they that are but twelve?
Twelve Apostles Christ did chuse
To preach the Gospel to the Jews. Chorus
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