There are many traditions here at the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce. Our huge BusinessConnection trade show in the spring and fall Good Times Celebration Bar-B-Que Cookoff are among them. Traditions are important for just about any entity. And at this time of the year, we cherish the traditions of Christmas and other religious holidays.
Christmas traditions, such as holly, candy canes, poinsettia flowers and gift giving, come with legends behind them. I discovered a Web site (www.christmas-stories.com) that recounts some of these legends and many other Christmas-oriented stories, poems, songs and art.
One legend highlighted is that of the song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas."
The story reads that in the church, Christmas refers to a 12-day period that starts with Christmas day. This is where "The Twelve Days of Christmas" evolves. The world celebrates Christmas for 12 hours, but the church celebrates it for 12 days because the gift of Christ is with us for 12 months of the year.
Apparently, this song had its origins as a teaching tool to instruct young people in the meaning and content of the Christian faith. From 1558 to 1829 Roman Catholics in England were not able to practice their faith openly so they had to find other ways to pass on their beliefs. The song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is one example of how they did it.
Each of the items in the song represents something of religious significance. The hidden meaning of each gift was designed to help young Christians learn their faith.
The song goes, "On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me..." The "true love" represents God and the "me" who receives these presents is the Christian. The "partridge in a pear tree" was Jesus Christ who died on a tree as a gift from God.
The "two turtle doves" were the Old and New Testaments - another gift from God.
The "three French hens" were faith, hope and love - the three gifts of the spirit that abide. The "four calling birds" were the four Gospels which sing the song of salvation through Jesus Christ.
The "five golden rings" were the first five books of the Bible also called the "Books of Moses." The "six geese a-laying" were the six days of creation. The "seven swans a swimming" were "seven gifts of the Holy Spirit."
The "eight maids a milking" were the eight beatitudes. The "nine ladies dancing" were nine fruits of the Holy Spirit. The "10 lords a-leaping" were the Ten Commandments. The "11 pipers piping" were the 11 faithful disciples. And the "12 drummers drumming" were the 12 points of the Apostles' Creed.
If you have time, I encourage you to study some of the origins of our great holiday traditions, the best of which is the time spent with family and friends. From all of us at the chamber family, we wish you and your family a very merry Christmas and happy holiday season.
Gary Molberg is the president of the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce. He can be reached at 373-7800.
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