Christmastide - Day 4

December 28, 2024
Merry Christmastide

On the Fourth Day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Four Calling Birds

I’m going to jump right in today - the song says calling birds, not annoying parakeets, or the whistling minor birds, or yakety crows, but calling birds!

Why this pleasing choice? I think "calling birds" symbolizes a sweet invitation to listen closely—a reminder that we are called to love and serve one another. In a world filled with distractions (we all know yakety crows), these calling birds beckon us to tune in to the more profound messages of faith and compassion. Their song is not random noise, but an intentional melody meant to draw our attention to something greater than ourselves.

But why birds? And why four of them?

A Historical Note on "Calling Birds"
Interestingly, the original lyrics likely referred to "colly birds," an old term for blackbirds. Over time, "colly" evolved into "calling," which modern readers may find more poetic and meaningful. Another subversive conspiracy?  Not really!

Blackbirds, or "colly birds," were common in rural England and often associated with simple, everyday life. Yet their transformation in the song into "calling birds" was intended to add a spiritual layer. From what I have learned, these are not just ordinary birds, but ones with a purpose. They call out, inviting us to listen and respond.

As for the number four, it may simply follow the cadence of the song. However, in the Christian tradition, numbers often carry symbolic meaning. Four can represent completeness and universality: Like the four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John (See what I did there – another peek into the rabbit hole).  
 
I like to think the calling birds symbolize the universal call of the Gospel—a reminder that God's message of love and redemption is meant for everyone, everywhere.

Ever go Birdwatching?
I had a boss in the recent past who was an avid “twitcher” – a birdwatcher.  He traveled the world to find rare birds. I was offered a look into his bird “capture” journal. It read like a collection of love letters.  Each one described how the rare bird sighting made him feel.  He was in awe of nature and of what God gave as an often-overlooked creature of beauty and grace.

We, too, can do a bit of birdwatching from the comfort of our homes.  Imagine four Calling Birds perched in a tree outside your window, each one calling out to us to —not just to listen, but to act!  Love isn’t just a feeling; it’s something we express through our actions and relationships. We can extend our metaphor of the number four to include love for God, love for ourselves, love for our neighbors, and love for the world. It points us to the fullness of what it means to live out our faith.  I’m on a roll now but better cut this short.

It’s Still Christmastide
In the spirit of extending cultural Christmas beyond December 25th, these calling birds should remind us of the joy of sharing the most profound messages of our faith. They symbolize the call to love, which is central to our Christian journey. In the words of Jesus in Luke 10:27, we are reminded of our calling:


Jesus reminds us of the ancient commandment in Deuteronomy 6:5:

• (A post-production insertion: Mark 12:30 adds, "with all you mind,"  God said we need to show love in four ways, with all our Hearts, Souls, Strength, and minds.  I’ll save that for next year).

 
The four calling birds invite us to remember that love, in all its forms, is at the very heart of our calling as Christians. So, take a moment today to listen for those calling birds in our lives. They beckon us to embrace the love that God has poured into our hearts and to share it widely. Whether it’s by offering a kind word, a helping hand, or a forgiving heart, we can respond to their call by living out the Gospel message each day.