Ninth Day of Christmas

THE CONTROVERSY OVER THE SONG "THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS"

In the last 20 or so years, there has been quite a bit of controversy over the song The Twelve Days of Christmas. Some say it was a cryptic catechism song, used by the persecuted Catholics of England as a means to teach their children some rudimentary teachings of the Faith under the disguise of a seemingly harmless song. Others contest this, by saying that there is no evidence to back-up this claim and say that the alleged points of doctrine to be found hidden in the song, are ... (click here to read more)

"...Nine Ladies Dancing"

Dominations

Virtues

Principlaities

The Holy Archangels St Michael, St. Raphael and St. Gabriel.

THE NUMBER NINE
The number NINE reminds of many spiritual things, here are a few:

The NINE Choirs of Angels
The NINE Apostles who were not among the three favorites of Our Lord: Peter, James and John.
The NINE days of prayer spent by Our Lady and the Apostles and Disciples in the Upper Room prior to Pentecost.
The NINE days in prayer novenas, based upon that first nine-day novena of Our Lady and the Apostles.
The NINE ways by which we cooperate in another person's sins.

NINE CHOIRS OF ANGELS
The Nine Ladies Dancing represent the Nine Choirs of Angels. They are grouped in three groups of three choirs. The first group contains the Seraphim, Cherubim and Thrones. The second group consists of the Dominations, Virtues and Powers. The third group has the Principalities, Archangels and Angels. FULL COVERAGE ON THE ANGELS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE.

NINE-DAY NOVENAS
The Nine Ladies Dancing can also represent Nine-Day Novenas, which we say when we want some thing or some guidance from God. Look at the word ‘GUIDANCE’. Can you see “dance” in that word?

Doing God’s will is a lot like dancing. In dancing, one person should lead, the other person follows the lead. If both dance partners try to lead, nothing feels right. When only one person leads, it’s as if the two become one body—the two bodies moving as one.

DANCING
Holy Scripture speaks of dancing on several occasions: “All things have their season, and in their times all things pass under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted. A time to kill, and a time to heal. A time to destroy, and a time to build. A time to weep, and a time to laugh. A time to mourn, and a time to dance” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-4).

KING DAVID DANCES BEFORE THE ARK OF THE COVENANT
King David was dancing with joy in front of of the Ark of the Covenant as they carried it home: “And it was told king David, that the Lord had blessed Obededom, and all that he had, because of the Ark of God. So David went, and brought away the ark of God out of the house of Obededom into the city of David with joy. And there were with David seven choirs, and calves for victims. And when they that carried the Ark of the Lord had gone six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a ram: andDavid danced with all his might before the Lord: and David was girded with a linen ephod. And David and all the house of Israel brought the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord with joyful shouting, and with sound of trumpet.” (2 Kings 6:12-15).

DANCING IN JOY AT DELIVERANCE FROM EVIL
“For thus saith the Lord: Rejoice ye in the joy of Jacob, and neigh before the head of the Gentiles: shout ye, and sing, and say: Save, O Lord, thy people, the remnant of Israel. Behold I will bring them from the north country, and will gather them from the ends of the earth: and among them shall be the blind, and the lame, the woman with child, and she that is bringing forth, together, a great company of them returning hither. They shall come with weeping: and I will bring them back in mercy: and I will bring them through the torrents of waters in a right way, and they shall not stumble in it: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn. Hear the word of the Lord, O ye nations, and declare it in the islands that are afar off, and say: He that scattered Israel will gather him: and he will keep him as the shepherd doth his flock. For the Lord hath redeemed Jacob, and delivered him out of the hand of one that was mightier than he. And they shall come, and shall give praise in mount Sion: and they shall flow together to the good things of the Lord, for the corn, and wine, and oil, and the increase of cattle and herds, and their soul shall be as a watered garden, and they shall be hungry no more. Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, the young men and old men together: and I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them joyful after their sorrow. And I will fill the soul of the priests with fatness: and my people shall be filled with my good things, saith the Lord” (Jeremias 31:7-14).

DANCING TO GOD'S TUNE
Dancing requires a tune and for someone to play that tune. The tune for us is God's will.
Dancing requires surrender, willingness, and attentiveness from one person and gentle guidance and skill from the other. Let us look at the word ‘GUIDANCE’. The “G” can be for God, followed by “U” and “I”. So we can say: “God”, “U” and “I” ”DANCE.” In other words: God, you and I dance! Let Him lead, you just follow His lead—wherever He leads you! You will find yourself led smoothly into Heaven!

THE NINE CHOIRS OF ANGELS IN MORE DETAIL

1. SERAPHIM (Top Choir: 1st group)

These are the highest order or choir of Angels. They are the Angels who are attendants or guardians before God’s throne. They praise God, singing, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of Hosts.” The only Bible reference is Isaiah 6:1-7. One of them touched Isaiah’s lips with a live coal from the altar, cleansing him from sin. Seraphim have six wings, two cover their faces, two cover their feet, and two are for flying.

2. CHERUBIM (Top Choir: 2nd group)

Cherubim rank after the Seraphim and are the second highest in the nine hierarchies or choirs of angels. The Old Testament does not reveal any evidence that the Jews considered them as intercessors or helpers of God. They were closely linked in God’s glory. They are manlike in appearance and double-winged and were guardians of God’s glory. They symbolized God’s power and mobility. The New Testament suggests that they celestial attendants (Apocalypse chapters 4 to 6). Catholic tradition describes them as Angels who have an intimate knowledge of God and continually praise Him.

3. THRONES (Top Choir: 3rd group)

Being the lower Choir of the first and highest hierarchy, the Thrones share with the Sepahim and Cherubim the great dignity and glory of being closer to the throne of God than all the other choirs beneath.

4. DOMIN(AT)IONS (Middle Choir: 1st group)

Dominations or Dominions are Angels of Leadership. They are at the head of the middle group of Angels (Dominations, Virtues and Powers).

5. VIRTUES (Middle Choir: 2nd group)

The name of Virtues signifies a certain powerful and unshakable courage. They rise towards God, the supernatural source of all virtue, perfecting themselves as much as they can, and then providentially filling those below themselves with that virtue.

6. POWERS (Middle Choir: 3rd group)

The name of this choir of Angels is used in cases of both the good Angels and demons. The good Powers lead us to God without debasing their authority by a tyranical use of power.

7. PRINCIPALITIES (Bottom Choir: 1st group)

St. Jude says that a large number of this choir followed Lucifer into rebellion. In the New Testament, Principalities refers to Angels who are now hostile to God and human beings (Rom 8:38; 1 Cor 15:24; Eph 1:21; 3:10; 6:12; Col 1:16; 2:10, 15). Mentioned along with the Principalities are the Powers, Dominions and Thrones (Rom 8:38; 1 Cor 15:24; Eph 1:21; 3:10; Col 1:16; 1 Pt. 3:22; 2 Thes. 1:7). The clarity of the New Testament evidence helps us see that these beings were created through Christ and for Him (Col 1:16). Given their hostility to God and humans due to sin, Christ’s ultimate rule over them, expresses the reign of the Lord over all creation. This is the Kingship of Christ, which reveals God’s salvation in conquering sin and death at the cross (Eph 3:10).

8. ARCHANGELS (Bottom Choir: 2nd group)

Archangels are usually taken to mean “chief or leading angel” (Jd. 1:9; 1 Thes. 4:15). They are the most frequently mentioned throughout the Bible. They may be of this or other hierarchies as St. Michael Archangel, who is a princely Seraph. The Archangels have a unique role as God’s messenger to the people at critical times in history and salvation (Tb. 12:6, 15; Jn. 5:4; Apoc. 12:7-9) as in The Annunciation and Apocalypse.

Feast days celebrating some of the Archangels are St. Michael (sep. 29), St. Gabriel (Mar. 24) and St. Raphael (Oct. 24). A special part of the Byzantine Liturgy invokes the “Cherubic Hymn,” which celebrates these Archangels and the Guardian Angels.

Of special significance is St. Michael as he has been invoked as patron and protector by the Church from the time of the Apostles. The Eastern Rite and many others place him over all the Angels, as Prince of the Seraphim. He is described as the “Chief of Princes” and as the leader of the forces of Heaven in their triumph over Satan and his followers.

The Angel Gabriel first appeared in the Old Testament in the prophesies of Daniel, he announced the prophecy of 70 weeks (Dan. 9:21-27). He appeared to Zachary to announce the birth of St. John the Baptist (Lk 1:11). It was also Gabriel who proclaimed the Annunciation of Mary to be the Mother of Our Lord and Saviour. (Lk. 1:26)

The Angel Raphael first appeared in the book of Tobias (3:25, 5:5-28, 6-12). He announces “I am the Angel Raphael, one of the seven who stand before the throne of God.” (Tb. 12:15)

9. ANGELS (Bottom Choir: 3rd group)

These angels are closest to the material world and human begins. They deliver the prayers to God and God’s answers and other messages to humans. Angels have the capacity to access any and all other Angels at any time. They are the most caring and desirous to assist those who ask for help.

THE NINE WAYS IN WHICH WE PARTICIPATE IN ANOTHER PERSON'S SINS
1. By counsel
2. By command
3. By consent
4. By provocation
5. By praise or flattery
6. By concealment
7. By partaking
8. By silence
9. By defense of the ill done