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1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to his own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ [1] the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. 1.11 Or Messiah. "The Christ" (Greek) and "the Messiah" (Hebrew) both mean "the Anointed One"; also in verse 26.
•Instead of referring to a suitor, the "true love" mentioned in the song refers to God.
•The "me" receiving the presents is symbolic of every baptized person.
•The partridge in the pear tree is Jesus Christ, and in the song, He is symbolically presented as a mother partridge who feigns injury to decoy predators from her helpless nestlings.
The other symbols carry their own religious meanings:
•Two turtle doves: The Old and New Testaments
•Three french hens: Faith, hope and charity
•Four calling birds: The four Gospels
•Five gold rings: The first five books of the Old Testament or the Torah
•Six geese a laying: The six days of creation
•Seven swans a-swimming: The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit
•Eight maids a-milking: The eight Beatitudes
•Nine ladies dancing: The nine fruits of the Holy Spirit
•Ten lords a-leaping: The Ten Commandments
•Eleven pipers piping: The eleven faithful disciples
•Twelve drummers drumming: The twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed
How interesting and sad that a song written to secretly remind Christians about the doctrines of their faith was disguised so well that after 400 years, the secular world more identifies with this carol than do Christians who are mostly unaware of its origins and meanings. The freedom to exercise our faith in this country is still amazing.
Cherish it this Christmas! :)
I would like to wish you and all my online friends a very Merry Christmas, and a joyous New Year. May the coming year grant you and your families good health and happiness.
Thank you for responding to my inquirys about your favorite Christmas songs. The juke box on this page contains all songs sent in as favorites, "Oh Holy Night" at the top of the list. Thank you Karen and Melanie for your help with this page.
