December 6 - Origin of the 12 Days of Christmas

Origin of the 12 Days of Christmas

Most of us are familiar with the Christmas song, “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”  To most, it’s a delightful nonsense rhyme set to music.  But legend has it, the song had quite a serious purpose when it was written.  It is a good deal more than just a repetitious melody with pretty phrases and a list of strange gifts.

Catholics in England during the period of 1558 to 1829, the time when Parliament finally emancipated them, were prohibited from any practice of their faith by law.

The song’s gifts are hidden meanings to the teachings of the faith.  The “true love” mentioned in the song doesn’t refer to an earthly suitor, it refers to God Himself.  The “me” who receives the presents refers to every baptized believer.  The Partridge in a Pear Tree is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, in the song.  Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge which feigns injury to decoy predators from her helpless nestlings, much in memory of the expression of Christ’s sadness over the fate of Jerusalem:  “Jerusalem! Jerusalem!  How often would I have sheltered thee under my wings, as a hen does her chicks, but thou wouldst not have it so…”

The other symbols mean the following:

1)  The Partridge in a Pear Tree= Jesus Christ Himself

2)  Turtle Doves= The Old and New Testament

3)   French Hens= Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues

4)   Calling Birds= The Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists

5)   Golden Rings= The first Five Books of the Old Testament, the “Pentateuch,”

       which gives the history of man’s fall from grace

6)  Geese A-Laying= The Six days of Creation

7)  Swans A-Swimming= The Seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the Seven

      Sacraments

8)  Maids A-Milking= The Eight Beatitudes

9)  Ladies Dancing= The Nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit

10)  Lords A-Leaping= The Ten Commandments

11)  Pipers Piping= The Eleven Faithful Apostles

12)  Drummers Drumming= The Twelve Points of Doctrine in the Apostle’s Creed

The next time you hear or sing “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” remember to thank the Lord for all that he has done to work in our lives.  We have more reasons to celebrate because of what God has done through His Son and His love for us.

Consider reading the Word today: