6th day of christmas: surround sound

We all are familiar with the song, "twelve days of Christmas."
The twelve days mark the 8 days of the Christmas octave plus the four days that led up to the Epiphany, usually celebrated january 6th, though now we celebrate it the SUnday following New Years.

the song was written as a tool to teach the faith at a time when catholics were being persecuted in England. That is right, Catholics were persecuted in England, just in case people have forgotten.

so here is the teaching as it was taught then:
Partridge in a pear tree Jesus Christ, symbolized as a mother partridge that feigns injury to decoy predators from helpless nestlings.

Two turtle doves Old & New Testaments

Three French Hens Faith, hope, charity

Four Calling birds The Four Gospels

Five Golden Rings The Pentateuch or Five Books of Moses (Genesis through Deuteronomy)

Six geese a laying Six days of creation

Seven Swans a swimming 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Eight maids a-milking 8 Beatitudes

Nine Ladies Dancing Nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit

Ten Lords a-leaping 10 Commandments

Eleven pipers piping The 11 faithful disciples

12 drummers drumming 12 articles of the Apostles Creed

Today is the 6th day of Christmas so we ponder the six days of creation; we ponder the work of God's hand.

In the words of St. Bernard, "in the work of creation God gave us ourselves. In the work of redemption God gave us himself. We love God for the gift of ourselves, but how much more love should we owe for the gift of himself."

Today set aside a few moments to take in the beauty of creation. Peer into the created beauty and catch a glimpse of God.

Today might be a good time to turn off the TV, the radio, the noise makers and sit in silent awe of the beauty that surrounds. Creation is the original surround sound, echoing forth God's deliberate and willful love for us all.

As you ponder creation imagine God saying, "Can you hear me now." Get out and get some fresh air for a change. Let the freshness of creation fill your heart and mind.

If you still don't get it, then look to the child in the manger. The Creator becomes the creature so that the message might be turned up a notch and heard more clearly.