Christmastide - Day 1
December 25, 2024
Merry Christmas
On the First Day of Christmas my True Love Gave to Me ...
A Partridge in a Pear Tree.
This is the first line of the famous Christmas carol, "The Twelve Days of Christmas." The history of the carol is somewhat murky. According to Vox, the earliest known version appeared in a 1780 children’s book called Mirth Without Mischief.
The 12 days of Christmas is the period in Christian theology that marks the span between the birth of Christ and the coming of the Magi, the three wise men. It begins on December 25 (Christmas) and runs through January 6 (the Epiphany, sometimes also called Three Kings’ Day).
As we celebrate the Christmas season and look forward to Epiphany, I wanted to keep you engaged for the entire Christmastide observance. While there are many theories and legends about the hidden meaning of the verses, I’m not going to take you down a rabbit hole. Instead, we can stick with the symbolism and tie it into the season in our unique way.
We can begin with the Partridge in a Pear Tree.
The Symbolism of the Partridge
To be honest, I don’t think I have ever seen a pear tree, but I have seen a partridge. It was in the zoo in Tupelo, Mississippi, and I instinctively imagined that plump bird up in a pear tree. I was confused as to why the partridge was walking on the ground and not up in the branches. What I read at the zoo did not help me much. It said something like,
“Partridges are ground-dwelling birds that often nest on the ground and are more commonly found in grassy or bushy areas. While they can fly short distances, they usually do not perch in trees like some other bird species. The imagery of a partridge in a pear tree is more symbolic than literal, highlighting themes of protection and nurturing rather than reflecting natural behavior.”
Protection and nurturing – I like that imagery!
When we think about Christmas, we focus on the baby Jesus. But why did He come? Jesus came to save us and protect us. In Luke 13:34, He confronts the Pharisees who were threatening to kill Him. He paraphrases Psalm 91:4:
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.”
Jesus is telling them – and us – that He will bring His peeps under His wing and protect us. That is a great way to begin our Twelve Days of Christmas!
A Journey Through the Twelve Days of Christmas
The imagery of the partridge in a pear tree serves as a beautiful introduction to the overarching message of love, protection, and nurturing that permeates the Christmas story. Just as the partridge symbolizes Christ’s protective nature, the subsequent gifts in the song will also reflect various aspects of our faith, reminding us of the richness and depth of our Christian heritage.
I have always loved singing this song. Call me old-fashioned. The carol may feel old and stale, but its messages are rooted in deep spiritual truths that encourage us to nurture our faith and relationships with one another. As I urge you to celebrate the season, let's take time to reflect on the meanings behind each gift of the twelve days. Each day invites you to appreciate the love and light brought into the world through the birth of Jesus.
Let’s make Christmastide a time of gathering under the wings of protection and love of our Lord and Savior - Jesus Christ
Posted in The Twelve Days of Christmas
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