Arkansas Christmas

‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the shack,
Not a darn thing was a movin’, from the front to the back.

The kids were in bed, we had nine at the time.
The wife in her curlers, was lookin’ real fine.

A cold wind was blowing’, Up the holler it moaned.
Ten dogs on the porch all howled and groaned.

The boys were all dreamin’ of weapons and guns
for killin’ God’s creatures, there’s no better fun!

The girls in their feminine dreams were attuned
To getting those gallons of Wal-Mart perfume.

The wife wanted jewelry, like rings with big rocks.
I just weanted my Chevy down off of them blocks.

The out in the yard such a noise did commence.
Like something was caught in our new bob-war fence.

I ran to the window, and saw pretty quick.
The man makin’ the racket was good ol’ St. Nick.

You may think of Santa in your own mind’s eye,
dressed in a red and white suit, but I’ve got a surprise.

That old boy’s an Arkie, from up near Mt. Gaylor.
He married his cousin and they live in a trailer.

On Christmas, of course, a sleigh for his rig,
he hooks the thing up to a razorback pig!

He climbed on the roof, with his bag full of goodies,
he backed down the fireplace, all dirty and sooty

Fat legs in his britches, chubby hands in his mittens,
I must admit from the back he looked lots like Bill Clinton.

He turned toward the tree, his eyes all aglow,
He was an Arkansas boy from his head to his toe.

His neck was a red one, his shirt said, “Lite Beer”,
he had no red hat on, but his cap read, “John Deere”.

He left all the presents, with an air of delight,
then back to the chimney, and into the night.

He ran into the yard, threw his bag in the sleigh,
then he yelled at the dogs, “Get the hell out th’ way!”

I ran out to ask him why he brought such good cheer;
but instead he just asked me, “You get you a deer?”

Then I heard him exclaim, as those pigs took flight,
“Merry Christmas to all… I need a Bud Lite!”

The Origin of the 12 Days of Christmas

People often think of ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ as the days preceding the festival. Actually, Christmas is a season of the Christian Year that lasts for the twelve days beginning December 25 and lasting until January 6 – the Day of Epiphany, when the church celebrates the revelation of Christ as the Light of the world and recalls the journey of the magi.

From 1558 until 1829 Roman Catholics in England were not allowed to practice their faith openly. During that era someone wrote ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ as a kind of secret catechism that could be sung in public without the risk of persecution.

‘The 12 Days of Christmas’ is, in essence, an allegory. The song has two levels of interpretation: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of the church.

Each element in the carol is a code word for a religious reality. The “true love” represents God and the “me” who receives these presents is the Christian (a Catholic in this case).

The hidden meanings are:

  • The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ a tree as a gift from God.
  • The two turtledoves are the Old and New Testaments, another gift from God.
  • Three French hens stand for faith, hope and love – the three gifts of the Spirit that abide (I Corinthians 13).
  • The four calling birds are the four Gospels, which sing the song of salvation through Jesus Christ.
  • The five gold rings recall the Torah (Law) the first five books of the Old Testament, also called the “Books of Moses.”
  • The six geese a-laying stand for the six days of creation.
  • Seven swans a-swimming represent the sevenfold gifts of the Spirit (I Corinthians 12:8-11, Romans 12, Ephesians 4, 1 Peter 4:10-11).
  • The eight maids a-milking are the eight beatitudes.
  • Nine ladies dancing? These are the nine fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).
  • The ten lords a-leaping are the Ten Commandments.
  • Eleven pipers piping stand for the eleven faithful disciples. (Excludes Judas.)
  • Twelve drummers drumming symbolize the 12 points of belief in the Apostles’ Creed.

So the next time you hear “The 12 Days of Christmas,” consider how this otherwise non-religious-sounding song had its origins in the Christian faith.

Christmas Quiz

  • Which Christmas tree fact is NOT true?
    1. Artificial Christmas trees have outsold real ones every year since 1991.
    2. Nova Scotia leads the world in exporting Christmas trees.
    3. Franklin Pierce was the first president to decorate an official White House Christmas tree.
    4. The Christmas tree was chosen to represent this holy holiday because it’s shape points the way to heaven.
  • Which is NOT a Christmas tradition in Italy?
    1. Performing music at shrines of the Virgin Mary and at the homes of carpenters in honor of St. Joseph.
    2. After a day of fasting, enjoying a Christmas Eve feast of eels and a spaghetti dish with anchovies.
    3. Families making tiny pizzas cut into the shape of Christmas trees, reindeer and Santa Claus.
    4. Children awaiting the visit of the good witch La Befana who rides her broom to the homes of good children on Epiphany to distribute gifts to atone for her failing to accompany three wise men on their journey to visit baby Jesus.
  • Which is NOT a true fact about the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas?”
    1. The total number of gifts that “my true love gave to me” equals 364.
    2. The total number of gifts that “my true love gave to me” equals 78.
    3. The song wasn’t even written about Christmas and it’s name was later changed from “The Twelve Days of Thanksgiving.”
    4. The song was originally written to help Catholic children in England remember different articles of faith during persecution by Protestant Monarchs.
  • Candles have long been a Christmas symbol, but do you know where the tradition started?
    1. Long before the first Christmas, it was customary in Northern Europe to light a candle at the winter solstice in celebration of the birth of light in homage to the sun god, Mithras, to encourage him to reappear in the new year.
    2. Throughout the Middle Ages, a large candle was lit at Christmas time to symbolize the Star of Bethlehem and represent Christ as “the light of the world.”
    3. Both A and B are true.
    4. Neither are true and no one knows for sure.
  • In the Dr. Seuss story, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” the Grinch gathers all the accoutrements he needs to pose as Santa Claus. What does he have but NOT use?
    1. Beard
    2. Sleigh
    3. Reindeer
    4. Sack

The Answers

  1. Which Christmas tree fact is NOT true?
    The Christmas tree was chosen to represent this holy holiday because it’s shape points the way to heaven. OK, so maybe it’s true, but the QuizQueen can’t prove that fact, as reasonable as it sounds, because it wasn’t in any of the literature she dug up for this quiz.
  2. Which is NOT a Christmas tradition in Italy?
    Families making tiny pizzas cut into the shape of Christmas trees, reindeer and Santa Claus. If you fall for The QuizQueen’s silly answers then you are even sillier!
  3. Which is NOT a true fact about the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas?”
    B and C. The song wasn’t even written about Christmas and it’s name was later changed from “The Twelve Days of Thanksgiving.” Remember your son, each day the gifts came again, so they increased exponentially rather than cumulatively. There are some Christmas carols that started out linked to different holidays, but this isn’t one of them.
  4. Candles have long been a Christmas symbol, but do you know where the tradition started?
    Both A and B are true. Shame on you if you answered “D.” Don’t you understand yet that The QuizQueen always knows!?!
  5. In the Dr. Seuss story, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” the Grinch gathers all the accoutrements he needs to pose as Santa Claus. What does he have but NOT use?
    Beard. He cut himself out a beard, but never used it. In the end, his sacks were used, although they were returned to his mountain top empty except for the presents he got from The Whos, of course.

So how does your Christmas Spirit rate after you award yourself one point for each correct answer?

  • 5—SANTA! You are the very symbol of Christmas!
  • 4—ELF! You must be one of Santa’s helpers to know so much about Christmas!
  • 2—SCROOGE! You need some work to get into the spirit of Christmas!
  • 0—GRINCH! Are you trying to steal The QuizQueen’s Christmas spirit?

The QuizQueen used to write weekly quizzes and eZines, mainly around 2005 to 2007. Always funny, always inspiring she seems to have moved away from such creative writing exercises. Her website is no longer relevant!

A Military Christmas

Note: This is the original version, written by former Lance Corporal James M. Schmidt, stationed in Washington DC in 1986. The full version of the story behind this poem can be read at Snopes.com.


Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,
In a one bedroom house made of plaster & stone.

I had come down the chimney, with presents to give
and to see just who in this home did live.

As I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,
no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking by the fire, just boots filled with sand.
On the wall hung pictures of a far distant land.

With medals and badges, awards of all kind,
a sobering thought soon came to my mind.
For this house was different, unlike any I’d seen.
This was the home of a U.S. Marine.

I’d heard stories about them, I had to see more,
so I walked down the hall and pushed open the door.
And there he lay sleeping, silent, alone,
Curled up on the floor in his one-bedroom home.

He seemed so gentle, his face so serene,
Not how I pictured a U.S. Marine.
Was this the hero, of whom I’d just read?
Curled up in his poncho, a floor for his bed?

His head was clean-shaven, his weathered face tan.
I soon understood, this was more than a man.
For I realized the families that I saw that night,
owed their lives to these men, who were willing to fight.

Soon around the Nation, the children would play,
And grown-ups would celebrate on a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom, each month and all year,
because of Marines like this one lying here.

I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas Eve, in a land far from home.
Just the very thought brought a tear to my eye.
I dropped to my knees and I started to cry.

He must have awoken, for I heard a rough voice,
“Santa, don’t cry, this life is my choice
I fight for freedom, I don’t ask for more.
My life is my God, my country, my Corps.”

With that he rolled over, drifted off into sleep,
I couldn’t control it, I continued to weep.

I watched him for hours, so silent and still.
I noticed he shivered from the cold night’s chill.
So I took off my jacket, the one made of red,
and covered this Marine from his toes to his head.
Then I put on his T-shirt of scarlet and gold,
with an eagle, globe and anchor emblazoned so bold.
And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride,
and for one shining moment, I was Marine Corps deep inside.

I didn’t want to leave him so quiet in the night,
this guardian of honor so willing to fight.
But half asleep he rolled over, and in a voice clean and pure,
said “Carry on, Santa, it’s Christmas Day, all secure.”
One look at my watch and I knew he was right,
Merry Christmas my friend, Semper Fi and goodnight.

A Dieter’s Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas and all round my hips
were Fannie May candies that sneaked past my lips
Fudge brownies were stored in the freezer with care
in hopes that my thighs would forget they were there
While Mama in her my girdle and I in chin straps
had just settled down to sugar-borne naps
When out in the pantry there arose such a clatter
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter
Away to the kitchen I flew like a flash
tore open the icebox then threw up the sash
The marshmallow look of the new-fallen snow
sent thoughts of a binge to my body below
When what to my wandering eyes should appear:
a marzipan Santa with eight chocolate reindeer!
That huge chunk of candy so luscious and slick
I knew in a second that I’d wind up sick
The sweet-coated santa, those sugared reindeer
I closed my eyes tightly but still I could hear
On Pritzker, on Stillman, on weak one, on TOPS
a Weight Watcher dropout from sugar detox
From the top of the scales to the top of the hall
now dash away pounds now dash away all
Dressed up in Lane Bryant from my head to nightdress
my clothes were all bulging from too much excess
My droll little mouth and my round little belly
they shook when I laughed like a bowl full of jelly
I spoke not a word but went straight to my work
ate all of the candy then turned with a jerk
And laying a finger beside my heartburn
I gave a quick nod toward the bedroom I turned
I eased into bed, to the heavens I cry
if temptation’s removed I’ll get thin by and by
And I mumbled again as I turned for the night
in the morning I’ll starve…’til I take that first bite!

The Twelve Bugs of Christmas

For the first bug of Christmas, my manager
said to me
See if they can do it again.

For the second bug of Christmas, my manager
said to me
Ask them how they did it and
See if they can do it again.

For the third bug of Christmas, my manager
said to me
Try to reproduce it
Ask them how they did it and
See if they can do it again.

For the fourth bug of Christmas, my manager
said to me
Run with the debugger
Try to reproduce it
Ask them how they did it and
See if they can do it again.

For the fifth bug of Christmas, my manager
said to me
Ask for a dump
Run with the debugger
Try to reproduce it
Ask them how they did it and
See if they can do it again.

For the sixth bug of Christmas, my manager
said to me
Reinstall the software
Ask for a dump
Run with the debugger
Try to reproduce it
Ask them how they did it and
See if they can do it again.

For the seventh bug of Christmas, my manager
said to me
Say they need an upgrade
Reinstall the software
Ask for a dump
Run with the debugger
Try to reproduce it
Ask them how they did it and
See if they can do it again.

For the eighth bug of Christmas, my manager
said to me:
Find a way around it
Say they need an upgrade
Reinstall the software
Ask for a dump
Run with the debugger

For the ninth bug of Christmas, my manager
said to me:
Blame it on the hardware
Find a way around it
Say they need an upgrade
Reinstall the software
Ask for a dump
Run with the debugger
Try to reproduce it
Ask them how they did it and
See if they can do it again.

For the tenth bug of Christmas, my manager
said to me:
Change the documentation
Blame it on the hardware
Find a way around it
Say they need an upgrade
Reinstall the software
Ask for a dump
Run with the debugger
Try to reproduce it
Ask them how they did it and
See if they can do it again.

For the eleventh bug of Christmas, my manager
said to me :
Say it’s not supported
Change the documentation
Blame it on the hardware
Find a way around it
Say they need an upgrade
Reinstall the software
Ask for a dump
Run with the debugger
Try to reproduce it
Ask them how they did it and
See if they can do it again.

For the twelfth bug of Christmas, my manager
said to me:
Tell them it’s a feature
Say it’s not supported
Change the documentation
Blame it on the hardware
Find a way around it
Say they need an upgrade
Reinstall the software
Ask for a dump
Run with the debugger
Try to reproduce it
Ask them how they did it and
See if they can do it again.

The 12 Days of Christmas – A Cat’s Rendition

On the twelfth day of Christmas my human gave to me:
Twelve bags of catnip!
Eleven tarter Pounce treats,
Ten ornaments hanging,
Nine wads of Kleenex,
Eight peacock feathers,
Seven stolen Q-tips,
Six feathered balls,
Five MILK JUG RINGS!
Four munchy house plants,
Three running faucets,
Two fuzzy mousies,
And a hamste-e-er in a plastic ball!!