The Twelve Days of Christmas is a traditional song for the holiday season. Each day in the song lists a different gift received over the course of the celebration. During the hundreds of years this song has been sung, the gifts have varied some, a few have changed position in the lineup, and a couple have been renamed due to the archaic terms originally used. However, none seem to have any real meaning except for joyful irreverence during the Christmas season.
The twelfth gift we sing about is Twelve Drummers Drumming. What spiritual meaning can we derive from the pounding beat presented as a gift on the twelfth day?
The ancient timbrel, or tambourine, mentioned repeatedly throughout the Old Testament was the drum of its day. Known in modern terms as a frame drum, it did not tinkle or make high-pitched noises. Rather, it was pounded for a dynamic and driving sound.
Let’s look at a sampling from the Old Testament:
Exodus 15:20 tells us Miriam went out with her timbrel (drum), and all the women danced as the Egyptians were vanquished beneath the Red Sea.
2 Samuel 6:5 reveals David and all of Israel playing timbrels before the Lord, for the presence of God filled the Ark of the Covenant.
Psalm 149:3 commands us to dance before God, singing unto him with the timbrel and harp, for he brings us our salvation.
When we sing of the Twelve Drummers Drumming, let’s be reminded of the real reason we make a joyful noise. Jesus, the Christ, was born on Christmas day, and his birth brought his everlasting presence so that he could reside in the hearts of man, offering the promise of salvation and life everlasting.
Jesus is the reason for Christmas. When we sing, let’s make his name ring out for all to hear.
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