Very Merry 12th Day of Christmas

Merry 12th Day of Christmas!

About two years ago, my church welcomed a couple of pianists to play at our Masses. I asked one of them if he could play a particular hymn. Hail Mary, Gentle Woman was a favorite of my mother and I requested it be played at the next weekend Mass since the intention was in her memory. He told me he was not confident to play it on the piano but if I would sing it he would accompany me on his guitar.  

Yikes! I’m comfortable public speaking. I enjoy being the lector at Mass. But sing alone in church? No, I told him that  is way out of my comfort zone. He convinced me to practice with him. We practiced and I sang it Mass. Next, he invited me to sing with him and another parishioner at more Masses.  

Over the past year, we have encouraged other parishioners to join us. Sometimes people will stop by the choir loft on their way out of Mass to share how they liked the music played that day. We respond with “Come and join us.” That is usually met with, “Oh, I am not a singer” or “I don’t play my instrument in public” or “I’m not good enough.” To all of that I reply with something like, “Neither am I, join us anyway!” Now we have three or four people who regularly sing with us, along with two guitarists and most recently a drummer.  

There is something special about gathering with other volunteers to make music for the congregation. I like to tell the others, “With several of us singing one of us is bound to get the words correct!” Same with those who play instruments! Where one of us may make a mistake, the rest are there to lift us up and carry through the hymn.  

Yesterday, Epiphany was observed at Mass.  We played some of the beautiful hymns of the season: We Three Kings of Orient Are, O Little Town of Bethlehem, What Child is This, and Let There Be Peace on Earth. All of these hymns tie in with the meaning of the Twelfth Day of Christmas represented by the 12 Drummers Drumming: The Apostles’ Creed. 

The 12 drummers represent the twelve articles or points of the Apostles’ Creed. 

Apostles’ Creed  

1. I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth,
2. and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, 
3. who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, 
4. suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; 
5. he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; 
6. he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty;
7. from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. 
8. I believe in the Holy Spirit, 
9. the Holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints, 
10. the forgiveness of sins, 
11. the resurrection of the body, 
12. and life everlasting. Amen. 

The Creed is the story of our faith. Praying the Apostles’ Creed and singing the Christmas season hymns, especially together with others at Mass, is a reminder that God created us in His image. He gave us the ultimate gift: his only son, Jesus Christ. Through Him we will have everlasting life. We may not have “12 Drummers Drumming” but we can help lift everyone in music and prayer, honoring the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, along with the Blessed Virgin Mary.  

On this Twelfth day, whether you’ve already packed your Christmas decorations away or, like me, perhaps you’re still enjoying the twinkling lights and other seasonal pretties, keep the meaning of Christmas alive each day. And perhaps consider joining in the signing at your own church this year. 

Merry Christmas,
Karen  

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P. S. One of my favorite versions of Hail Mary, Gentle Woman is sung by Jamie Biller. Check it out on her YouTube page here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1KT06TjwJA