Why is it that public school choirs cannot sing" Silent Night" but they can sing "The 12 Days of Christmas?"

Question

The twelve days of Christmas are not the twelve days before Christmas, but are instead the twelve days from Christmas until the beginning of Epiphany (January 6th; the 12 days count from December 25 until January 5), which is when the three Wise Men or Magi arrived on the scene.

In some families, it was and still is traditional to give Christmas gifts for each of those twelve days, much as gifts are given to children on each of the days of Hanukkah. Some have suggested that the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is actually a song of instruction with hidden meanings to the basic teachings of the Faith. The "true love" mentioned in the song is not an earthly suitor, but refers to God Himself. The "me" who receives the presents refers to every baptized person who is part of the Christian Faith

Answer 1

Things certainly have changed.

When I attended public schools, our junior high school choir director had us singing "Ave Verum" at a spring concert and no one batted an eye. Likewise seasonal hymns at Christmas. Many of the students were not Christian; to my knowledge, no parents protested and no child was pulled from the choir on the basis of this music. I'm all for sensitivity, but going overboard to sanitize the season does not create respect for other beliefs. On the contrary, it results in a heightened level of intolerance.

Answer 2

Thanks for sharing about the 12 days of Christmas. I had no idea and it does make sense.

However, I am very thankful that our local high school choir director does a mixture for Christmas and other concerts. He always throws in a Christian Christmas song, but also will put in songs from other religions and cultures so that others will not feel left out. By using a mixture of Christian and secular music, no one raises an eyebrow, because our choir program is one of the top music programs in the state. His argument is that he is teaching the students a broad perspective of vocal music styles, and he is right. I think that if he were to stop using any Christian music in the program, there would be an outcry of both students and people who listen to the choirs perform. As long as a choir director uses a diverse selection of music, it should be allowed.

Answer 3

It is a shame that the best 'holiday music' is avoided in American Public High Schools because the lyrics are Christian.
I do know exeptions in some places but i will not disclose the location lest the students there be deprived of Baroque and Renaissance and Medieval music by the intolerant (and apparently tasteless) miltant secularists.

Happy Hannukah! Blessed Advent! Feliz Fiesta de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe! Blessed Solstice! Happy Christmas! Happy New Year!

Answer 4

I'm only guessing here, but I would say that most people do not know the true intent & meaning behind the Twelve Days of Christmas and think it is a secular song and therefore think it is acceptable to be sung by a public school chorus.

Also, Silent Night makes a clearly religious reference when it says "round yond virgin" and "holy infant" where The Twelve Days of Christmas makes no overt religious message. Even when I was in chorus in Jr. High we did not sing overtly religious songs - we did stuff more like Frosty the Snowman, Jingle Bells & Snoopy's Christmas.

Answer 5

You have every right and are not hindered in any way from putting your child or for that matter any child that you care to pay for through any accredited school in America. Public means public. It's like a bathroom at a ballpark there are certain things that can not be done in there either. It does not impenge on your freedom rather, it supports it.

Answer 6

Silent Night refers specifically to the birth of Jesus (pbuh) as the savior of all mankind and, thereby, denotes a specific religion (i.e., Christianity).
The Twelve Days of Christmas refers to the greed and commericalism of Christmas as the same has long been practiced by secular society and is therefore as American as apple pie.

According to Christian theology, one that day, the whole of mankind receieved the gift of salavation.
The giving of gifts to others originalte with European royalty and was then taken up by the lower classes who wanted to immitate royalty.
the giving of gifts at Christmas is not Christian and has lead to the commericalization of the holiday (i.e., holy day) and to a whole sale (and retail) culture of greed as well as a form of idol worship.

Ma'a salaam

Answer 7

Probably because God moves in mysterious ways dear....

Answer 8

I agree with the first answer since to me it didn't seem like a religious song.

Answer 9

you are misinformed.
just two nights ago, i attended my fourth grader's winter program and the second grade class sang "silent night".

Answer 10

ignorant