Christmas has come and gone once again.
For many years now, Christmas has been celebrated on Dec. 25.
But there was a time in the earlier days of our county and other parts of western North Carolina that Christmas was celebrated on Jan. 6 and referred to as “Old Christmas.”
Like many of our customs and traditions, Old Christmas was brought over from the “old country.” Ancestors of mountain families from English, Pennsylvania Dutch and Scandinavian stock are thought to have brought the custom of Old Christmas to America with them.
Gladys Wiggins said her father – Bob Anderson – felt Christmas should be observed on Jan. 6 instead of Dec. 25; that it was the “old orthodox Christmas”. His grandparents Perry and Nancy Farr Anderson came from Blount County, Tenn. prior to 1860 and settled on Anderson Creek in Graham County on property under a land grant. Anderson Creek is said to have been named for Perry Anderson. Sam and Jane Carpenter also settled on the head of Anderson Creek under a land grant and it is likely that these families brought the custom of Old Christmas with them.
Old Christmas was said to have been observed with prayer and songs and not as much gaiety and fanfare as is seen at Christmas today. With
the coming of Old Christmas, a time of solitude with quiet prayers was observed and such “dancing instruments” as the banjo and fiddle were put away. Instead, families would gather in front of the fireplace and sing carols about the birth of Christ.
In the celebration of Old Christmas, the observance actually starts on Dec. 25 and ends Jan. 6, hence the twelve days of Christmas made so popular in the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas” you have heard many times.
Perhaps unknown by many is the significance of the 12 gifts mentioned in the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas:”
* The partridge in the pear tree represents Jesus Christ
* Two turtle doves are the Old and New Testament
* Three French hens are the three virtues; faith, hope, and charity (love)
* Four calling birds are the four gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
* Five gold rings are the first five books of the Bible; Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy
* Six geese a-laying are the six days of the creation
* Seven swans a-swimming are the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, leading and compassion.
* Eight maids a-milking are the eight Beatitudes: the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers and those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake
* Nine ladies dancing are the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control
* 10 lords a-leaping are the Ten Commandments
* 11 pipers piping are the eleven faithful Disciples of Christ
* Finally, the 12 drummers drumming are the twelve points of the Apostle’s creed.
Marshall McClung is a columnist for The Graham Star.