The 12 Days of Christmas and it's Christian Meaning

The "Twelve Days of Christmas" is a song that many of us grew up singing - yet what do we really know about its origins? 

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.

It has come to my attention that the historical version of the song and its origins posted here may not be completely accurate. Nonetheless, below is a possible explanation as to the song's history and meaning that also matches the video at the end of this post.

-The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

-Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.

-Three French hens stood for Faith, Hope and Love.

-Four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke &   John.

-Five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the     Old Testament.

-Six geese a-laying stood for the six Days of Creation.

-Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the 
 Holy Spirit-  Prophesy,Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution,         Leadership, and Mercy.

-Eight maids a-milking were the eight Beatitudes.

-Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--

  Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, 
  Gentleness, and Self Control.

-Ten lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments.

-Eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful Disciples.

                                     -Twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve 
                                     points of  belief in the Apostles' Creed.

The popular Christmas carol goes like this:

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

       A Partridge in a Pear Tree.

On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

2 Turtle Doves, and a Partridge in a Pear Tree.

On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

3 French Hens, 2 Turtle Doves, and a Partridge in a Pear Tree.

On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

4 Calling Birds, 3 French Hens, 2 Turtle Doves, and a

Partridge in a Pear Tree.

      And so on... until the twelfth day -

The earliest well-known version of the music of the song was recorded by English scholar James O. Halliwell in 1842, and he published a version in 4th edition 

The Nursery Rhymes of England (1846), [Wikipedia]

Here is the Twelve Days of Christmas performed 

         by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra -          

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It was written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together. 

Visit  http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com

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The 12 Days of Christmas and it's Christian Meaning