Real Twelve Days of Christmas [Hardcover]

Helen Haidle (Author), Celeste Henriquez (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 13, 2000 | Age Level: 4 and up

This book presents the reader with the real story behind the popular Christmas carol "The Twelve Days of Christmas".

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

What do eleven lords a-leaping have to do with Jesus' disciples? In the well-known carol, "The Twelve Days of Christmas," the lyrics were used to teach children Christian doctrine during a time of persecution in sixteenth-century England. The partridge, turtledoves, French hens, calling birds, and other images all symbolized elements of the Christian faith. In The Real Twelve Days of Christmas, you'll learn the history of the lyrics and gain a new appreciation for this familiar carol.

About the Author

Helen Haidle has been the award-winning author of more than 30 children's books including What Would Jesus Do? and What Would Jesus Do Today? She lives in Sisters, OR, with her husband David

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan Publishing Company (October 13, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 031070118X
• ISBN-13: 978-0310701187
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #506,266 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Helen Haidle is an award-winning author of more than 50 children's books including What Would Jesus Do?, What Did Jesus Promise?, The Candymaker's Gift, The Lord is My Shepherd, and He is Alive. She lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband David.

Helen and David now have their own publishing company, SEED FAITH BOOKS, LLC (www.seedfaithbooks.com), and they supply many other non-profit organizations with Christian books and other resources for needy and neglected children and adults around the world.

Thousands of their pocketbooks and big books on Psalm 23 and Creation (as well as Christmas & Easter pocketbooks and booklets) have been given to foster children, at-risk children, the homeless, inmates in prisons and detention centers, and are used by various groups who are involved in missionary outreach in other countries.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a book for adults that kids may like too., November 17, 2000

By 

Maginnis (Ogden, UT USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Real Twelve Days of Christmas (Hardcover)

Christmas cards are written with phrases so as not to mention Christ or his birth, is this so as not to offend those that celebrate Christmas but do not believe in Christ? Is that why the decorations put up a month or more before Christmas do not stay up for the 12 days of Christmas which follows Christmas day? Are not our songs written much the same way? For example, The 12 Days of Christmas, is it not just another Christmas song of the times, which tells of nothing of Christ or God? This book, The Real 12 Days of Christmas, tells of a most unusual beginning for this song as it reveals the mystery behind this song. Through reading this book you will discover the beautifully hidden secret meanings to its rhyming words. The song comes from a time in England when a particular group of people was persecuted, imprisoned and many times killed a most brutal death for practicing their faith. These were the Catholics who still continued to teach and practice their faith. The English government was known to quickly and publicly kill anyone who either privately or publicly practiced or held to be a Catholic. English Catholics from the mid 1500s to well into the 1800s did however continue to practice, teach and worship their faith despite this threat. Because of the persecution and secrecy found at this time in English History we find the roots of our most well known but least understood songs of Christmas today. The love and dedication Catholics had for their faith is reviled in 'The Real 12 Days of Christmas' as it artfully takes the reader into greater level of understanding with the explanation of this song's hidden meanings. We find how it was used as a way to remember one's Catholic Catechism or the teaching of their faith. Remember, to keep or speak such written material would have lead to death. The song's many gifts are really hidden high points in the teachings of the Catholic faith which were all put in what appears to be a delightful nonsense rhyme set to music. Helen Haidle unfolds these beautiful secrets using bible scriptures to reveal what was a very serious and important mater to Catholics in the English Empire. For example, the "true love" mentioned in the song represents the only true love in the world, that of God. The "me" refers to all baptized Christians who believe in Jesus Christ. Yes this book with its colorful and beautifully illustrated pages, by Celeste Henriquez, wonderfully unfolds the secrets of this truly inspiring Christmas Song. You need not be Roman Catholic nor a historian to enjoy the beauty and truly biblical and spiritual meanings locked away in this wonderful song that does put Christ into Christmas where he doesn't appear to be. This wonderful book will give new meaning to this song every time your hear it. By the way, have a blessed , safe and merry Christmas.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Setting the Record Straight, December 24, 2002

By 

Robert Mchugh (Orion, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Real Twelve Days of Christmas (Hardcover)

Yes, it was illegal to be a Catholic, ordered by King Henry VIII following the imprisonment of Queen Anne. It has been illegal to be Catholic/Christian in more than one country at more than one time. There have been many symbols over the years to practice Christianity in secret as there are today in the Middle East. What a terrific education for today's Christians and/or Catholics to not take Christianity for granted.
This book is a wonderful lesson in religious tolerance.

21 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Real 12 Days of Christmas, November 29, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Real Twelve Days of Christmas (Hardcover)

This book is absolutely wonderful! It will bring a whole new meaning to your Christmas celebration. The book, giving an explanation of the traditional song, truly identifies the important elements of our faith. I plan on using each year with my class as we prepare for the birth of Christ.