By Richard C. Snell

Barton County Extension Agent--Agriculture

Last week I gave you a little bit of a spoof on the twelve days of Christmas--turf grass style. Since this week is really Christmas, I would like to give you the "real" meaning of the 12 days of Christmas song.

For years I have heard this song and even sang it in elementary school and high school choir. I just thought it to be some corny "Old English" song that somebody made up and never gave it much thought other than they sure gave strange gifts back then.

Now they tell me the 12 days actually began with the traditional date of Jesus's birth on the 25th. The end of the time was Jan. 6, marking the manifestation of Christ on earth, called Epiphany. This could be the time the wise men visited or some would say some other religious significance such as Jesus baptism or when he changed the water into wine. Actually, Jesus's birth was celebrated Jan. 6, until the 4th century. So that is where the 12 days came from.

What in the world do leaping lords, French horns, swimming swans, and especially that partridge that won't come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas? Today, I found out!

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not allowed to openly practice their faith. The Church of England had been formed with the Queen and it was more or less a crime to be a Catholic. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: The surface meaning, plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Persecution and difficulties often brings some of the great writings and songs we have.

Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality, which the children could remember. My true love, actually refers to God who is the giver of all things.

The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ. The partridge was chosen because the mother partridge will decoy predators away from her nestlings and give up her life as Christ did. The pear tree symbolizes the cross.

Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments. Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love. The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

The five golden rings recalled the Torah or the Law, the first five books of the Old Testament. The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

Seven swans a-swimming represented the seven-fold gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership and Mercy.

The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes. Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: Love, Joy Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-control.

The ten lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments. Eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples. Twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.

So, there is our history lesson for today. I realize that if you go to Urban Legends on the Internet, they will tell you that only part of this story is correct. I have no doubt about the Christian symbolism and the meaning that was intended. Some contend that Anglicans and Catholics alike would have all these as part of their faith and wouldn't have identified them as protestant or Catholic. Who knows?

All I know is that I found the new meaning to be creative and interesting. Now I know how this very strange song became a very beautiful Christmas carol. I hope it sheds new light for you.

Merry Christmas--See you next year

I hope all of you have a Great Christmas. Since we will be closed after the 22nd, I won't see most of you until 2006. So Happy New Year, too.

Kansas soybean expo in January

Since the president of the Kansas Soybean Association (KSA) is from Barton County this year, I found it only fitting to promote their annual meeting in Topeka, even though he (Kent Romine) didn't prompt me. This year's theme is "Kansas Soybeans--All That and More".

It will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 11, in conjunction with the Topeka Farm Show, at the Expo Grounds. I have gone to several of their meetings over the years and I have to tell you they always have a fine program. We won the bean yield contest nearly every year when I was in northeast Kansas and always brought a carload of farmers.

The morning session begins at 9 a.m. with K-State specialists providing research updates on soybean aphids and stem borer, breeding varieties, cropping system research and Asian soybean rust.

A special afternoon session is scheduled on weed management in the Roundup era, with Dallas Peterson, K-State weed specialist.

Another treat during the morning session will be Dr. Ron Hanson, nationally known speaker from the University of Nebraska. His topic will be family farm business relationships and issues in passing the farm down.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Capital Plaza Manor Conference Center, Sunflower Ballroom. Congressman Jerry Moran is the invited luncheon speaker. Awards will be presented during the luncheon.

Registration information is available at 800-328-7390. KSA members may attend for $10 if registered by Dec. 30.