The Christmas season is a festive and joyful time of the year when people come together and families gather to celebrate and enjoy the company of each other.  We gather together to have fun, and to share in the festive spirit.  Singing is an extremely popular way of expressing the joy we feel.  So when we gather with friends and relatives, we all deserve a good laugh by singing along to some funny Christmas songs. 

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Everybody thinks that "The Twelve Days of Christmas" were the days preceding the Christmas festival. In reality, Epiphany is the time of the Christian celebration that starts December 25 and lasts until January 6, a duration of 12 days. This marks the Church's celebration of Jesus as the Light of the world and remembers the pilgrimage of the three wise men. Each day, starting from December 25 up until January 6, was considered a part of the Christmas celebration. Meant to demonstrate mercy and compassion, each day was taken into account by people showing selfless acts of giving and tender charity. In many cultures, giving gifts was not done solely on a single day, but rather, as the song goes, through the entire season of the 12 days of Christmas. From 1558 to 1829 the Church in England was not permitted to worship and practice their faith in the open. During that time 'The Twelve Days of Christmas' song was written as a catechism that could be sung in in the streets without the danger of being persecuted. The words to the song 12 Days of Christmas song, in reality are an allegory. The lyrics to the song can be interpreted in two ways: it has surface meaning and the meaning known only to the Church and its members. Each phrase or word in the carol has an actual religious meaning. "True love" means God and 'me' means the Christian believer. On the first day, the partridge in a pear tree is synonymous to Jesus Christ's coming to save mankind. See if you can discover the rest of the religious meaning as you read the words to the song, 12 Days of Christmas. On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me A partridge in a pear tree. On the second day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. On the third day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Nine ladies dancing, Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Ten lords a-leaping, Nine ladies dancing, Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.

Christmas songs are as diverse and varied as the individuals that listen to them.  The number of Christmas songs recorded over the years is staggering.  More than any other holiday during the year, Christmas definitely has the most songs.  As soon as thanksgiving is over, radio stations across the country start playing the Christmas classics along with new ones.  You realize just how many Christmas songs there are, when you can listen to one radio station for days and not hear any repeated.  As children, many of us can remember going door to door in the snow singing Christmas carols.

There are wonderful classic Christmas songs that many people grew up hearing and still listen to today because they are timeless.  Here are some interesting facts you probably never knew about the top holiday songs:

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As joyous as the holiday season is, Christmas is also an increasingly expensive occasion for most families, today. Many families, who gather with their relatives at this time of year, are finding that alternative ways of gift-giving can make the financial impact of Christmas more bearable. Such creativity hearkens back to a simpler time, when the spirit of giving had nothing to do with marketing, and everything to do with the thought and love behind each gift. If you're looking for a simple way to liven up your family gatherings, and save money at the same time, consider the idea of family story-sharing. It really is simple. Everyone has a favorite song or story-or even a poem-which brings the Christmas season alive. Reading or reciting these traditional holiday tomes is a wonderful gift between family members, and easy to prepare: Each year, the story-telling duties can be delegated to one nuclear family, or to all the teenaged cousins, or to all the adults, or names can be drawn for those who will share their holiday tales. Selections can be read or recited by heart, can be long or short, and most-since they're familiar-are available and downloadable, online. They can be printed in easily readable font and contained in holiday-themed folders. A bit of rehearsal can help anyone prepare for such an event. Even a performance for family should be special enough at the holidays, to warrant proper preparation. The littlest family members will almost certainly be the most enthusiastic about sharing their favorite holiday stories, but they can also use help, finding their material and practicing its presentation. Children may even choose to write their own material, creating new holiday stories and traditions, which can become fodder for family laughs and memories for decades to come. The perfect time for a family story-circle is after a big meal, when everyone is rested and ready to listen and be entertained. Pick a "moderator" to introduce each reading or song, and to keep things moving along. Limit the number of stories, each year, to a handful, alternating family members, from year to year. Keep each season's session a moderate length, so that story-sharing is fun, rather than tedious. Sharing favorite holiday stories and poems and songs with your loved ones can turn into a highlight of each Christmas family gathering.

The Christmas song lyrics for: “The 12 Days of Christmas”:

On the first day of Christmas

My true love sent to me:

A partridge in a pear tree.

On the second day of Christmas

My true love sent to me:

Two turtle doves

And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the third day of Christmas

My true love sent to me:

Three French hens,

Two turtle doves

And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the fourth day of Christmas

My true love sent to me:

Four calling birds,

Three French hens,

Two turtle doves

And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the fifth day of Christmas

My true love sent to me:

Five golden rings,

Four calling birds,

Three French hens,

Two turtle doves

And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the sixth day of Christmas

My true love sent to me:

Six geese a laying,

Five golden rings,

Four calling birds,

Three French hens,

Two turtle doves

And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the seventh day of Christmas

My true love sent to me:

Seven swans a swimming,

Six geese a laying,

Five golden rings,

Four calling birds,

Three French hens,

Two turtle doves

And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the eighth day of Christmas

My true love sent to me:

Eight maids a milking,

Seven swans a swimming,

Six geese a laying,

Five golden rings,

Four calling birds,

Three French hens,

Two turtle doves

And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the ninth day of Christmas

My true love sent to me:

Nine ladies dancing,

Eight maids a milking,

Seven swans a swimming,

Six geese a laying,

Five golden rings,

Four calling birds,

Three French hens,

Two turtle doves

And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the tenth day of Christmas

My true love sent to me:

Ten lords a leaping,

Nine ladies dancing,

Eight maids a milking,

Seven swans a swimming,

Six geese a laying,

Five golden rings,

Four calling birds,

Three French hens,

Two turtle doves

And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the eleventh day of Christmas

My true love sent to me:

Eleven pipers piping,

Ten lords a leaping,

Nine ladies dancing,

Eight maids a milking,

Seven swans a swimming,

Six geese a laying,

Five golden rings,

Four calling birds,

Three French hens,

Two turtle doves

And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the twelfth day of Christmas

My true love sent to me:

Twelve drummers drumming,

Eleven pipers piping,

Ten lords a leaping,

Nine ladies dancing,

Eight maids a milking,

Seven swans a swimming,

Six geese a laying,

Five golden rings,

Four calling birds,

Three French hens,

Two turtle doves

And a partridge in a pear tree.

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