The Twelve Days of Christmas:
A Catechism Craft with a Touch of Hospitality
by Stacy and Tiffany McDonald
Homeschooling Today Magazine - Volume 11 - Issue 6 - All Rights Reserved
For us, the traditional song, The Twelve Days of Christmas tends to stir fond memories of a warm cozy fire, steaming hot chocolate with marshmallows, twinkling lights, pumpkin bread and the family gathered together on the living room floor. Even the youngest children quickly memorize all "twelve gifts" the True Love brought to his Beloved.
Legend has it that persecuted Christians, wishing to secretly catechize their children, wrote this quaint song in England in the 1500's. The twelve days refer to the twelve days from Christmas to Epiphany. January 6th represents the day when the wise men, or Magi, arrived to present gifts to the Christ child. (Matthew 2:1-12) Twelve basic tenets of the Christian faith were symbolized by gifts from a suitor (Christ) to his "true love" (the Church).
Regardless of whether or not this legend is true, the song can still be used as a catechism tool for young children. It can also be used to practice counting or music and don't forget interesting learning notebooks about milking cows, medieval dancing, swans, geese etc. It is also the inspiration for this treasured and fun holiday craft!
Many Christian families enjoy practicing the mandated call to hospitality. The holidays are a fun time for creativity when inviting family and friends over for a feast. Practicing hospitality also serves to form wonderful traditions and memories in the hearts and minds of children. The place card is an easy-to-make and important ingredient for any feast. Each guest will be blessed, knowing their place card was hand-made especially for them. Many of the place cards we have made over the years have been taken home and used as Christmas ornaments or decorations.
The goal is for each guest to receive one of the "gifts" from the "true love." Therefore, each place card should have the theme of one of the gifts (five gold rings, maids a-milking, drummers drumming etc.). Be sure to include the name of your guest on the front of the card and the year of your feast on the back, along with any personal message you want to display. The meaning of the specific gift, along with the Scripture reference should be listed on the inside of the card. Once you've completed your place cards, you can sit down together for some hot chocolate and discuss the twelve gifts and their meaning.
If you have less than 11 guests, then simply make all 11 place cards, but only set the table for the number of guests you actually have. For example, if you have eight guests, then only go up to "Eight maids a-milking." The remainder of the "gifts" can still be made and placed in the center of the table surrounding your centerpiece. If an unexpected guest arrives, you can add their name to an extra card. If you have more than 11 guests, simply duplicate some of the gifts. Your centerpiece should symbolize the "Partridge in a Pear Tree." Without it, the other gifts don't mean a thing! (Remember, the partridge symbolizes Jesus) Include other props around your centerpieces (greenery, fresh pears, "goose" eggs, feathers, drum or drummer ornaments, gold rings, musical instruments etc.) Also, don't forget to play the song in the background as the feast begins!
Suggested Supplies:
12X12 Card stock
Decorative paper (the type used in scrap booking)
Off white resume' paper
A gold paint pen
Regular and scalloped scissors
Glue sticks and liquid school glue
Single hole punch
Clip art
6-8 inch wide colored tulle or holiday ribbon
Extra Optional Supplies:
Glitter
Sequins
Gold buttons
Confetti
Lace or trim
Feathers
Photo copied music scores of the song
Stickers
Wrapping paper
Old Christmas cards
December issues of old magazines
Photos from the Internet
Don't let this list limit you. Dig through your craft and sewing drawers. You'll be probably be surprised by some of the "artistic" treasures you'll find!
Step 1: Choose traditional rich colors for your color scheme (burgundy, gold, forest green, royal blue, purple, red etc.)
Step 2: Start with a 12"X12" sheet of card stock or heavy weight paper. Cut paper in half. Fold each piece in half so that it resembles a greeting card.
Step 3: You can either decorate the edge of your card with gold trim, lace, flowers or simply cut the edge with decorative scalloped scissors. You can layer the card with tissue paper, make an additional layer in another color, or use it as is. Be creative.
Discuss with your preschooler, the importance of hospitality and the blessing we receive when we serve others and make them feel welcome. Talk about the different feasts and preparations for feasts that have taken place over the centuries.
Step 4: Print the first names of each guest on the resume paper. You can do this with a gold paint pen in fancy calligraphy or you could let your preschooler practice his writing skills. An easier option is allowing your preschooler to print the names on the computer in a fancy font. We suggest using Old English or French Script. You could also add an elegant flair by using the title "Lady" or "Lord" in front of each name. Make the font small enough so there is room for other decorations. (We recommend using size 12). Also, leave plenty of space between each name so that it's easier for little hands to cut out.
Step 5: Once the names are ready, it's time to tear them out to give them a nice "aged" look. With older children and adult assistance, you could burn the edges. Instead, we usually use gold gel paint and smudge gold along the edge of the torn paper with a q-tip, to give it a royal, gilded look. Now you are ready to glue your torn-out name to the front of your place card.
Step 6: Decorate each unique place card with symbols of one "gift" from the true love.
Use this time to count the gifts: "How many turtle doves do we have?" The five gold rings tend to be a favorite. You can make gold rings with gold pipe cleaners and put them on your fingers for a fun part to the song. We used gold-ringed buttons for ours!
Step 7: Encourage your preschooler to think carefully and lay out his ideas on the paper before using the glue. Let your children create with plenty of pretty, shiny trim and decorations.
Research each gift. (What a good time for a unit study!) Look up turtledoves, French hens, or "pipers" on the Internet or in your encyclopedia. Make sure the children understand what each gift is. When I was a child, I pictured 11 men sitting around smoking pipes. I had no idea the song referred to a musical instrument. Discuss how geese lay their eggs or how cows are milked. The options are endless.
More importantly, discuss the doctrines and Scriptures that are associated with each subject. Make sure your little ones know the Ten Commandments and quiz them on the fruit of the Spirit. We've listed the meanings and the Scripture references here, for your convenience. Use this time to make memories, to take joy in serving others and to memorize Scripture and important doctrines together.
1 A Partridge in a Pear Tree = Jesus Christ, the Son of God
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! Luke 13:34
2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 2 Timothy 3:16
3 French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues
And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. Corinthians 13:13
4 Calling Birds = The Four Gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
5 Golden Rings = The First Five Books of the Old Testament (the Torah or the "Pentateuch"): Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. These give the history of man's fall from grace and God's response.
6 Geese a-Laying = the Six Days of Creation
…And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. Genesis 1:31 (Be sure to read all of Genesis 1)
7 Swans a-Swimming = The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit:
Prophecy, Ministry, Teaching, Exhortation, Giving, Leading and Compassion. "Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us…" Romans 12:6
8 Maids a-Milking = The Eight Beatitudes:
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3-10
9 Ladies Dancing = the Nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance… Galatians 5:22,23
10 Lords a-Leaping = The Ten Commandments
- Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
- Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
- Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
- Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 11For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.
- Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
- Thou shalt not kill.
- Thou shalt not commit adultery.
- Thou shalt not steal.
- Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
- Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.
11 Pipers Piping = The Eleven Faithful Apostles
And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles; Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes, And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor. Luke 6:13-16 (Judas Iscariot was not included since it was he, who betrayed Jesus.)
12 Drummers Drumming = The Twelve Points of Doctrine in the Apostle's Creed
- I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
- And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord,
- Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary,
- Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; He descended into hell.
- The third day he rose again from the dead;
- He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
- From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
- I believe in the Holy Spirit,
- I believe in the holy catholic* (universal) church, the communion of saints,
- The forgiveness of sins,
- The resurrection of the body,
- And the life everlasting. Amen.
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