How to Understand the Twelve Days of Christmas

The Twelve Days of Christmas is probably the most misunderstood time of the year among all people. Many think they come before Christmas day when indeed the 1st day of Christmas starts on Christmas day and the 12th is on the 5th of January, the day before the Epiphany. Many also think that the song about them is just a children song without sense but there is meaning in of each of the gifts mentioned in the song. Some people think the song was created in the 16th century to help teach and remember its meaning to children.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. ON THE FIRST DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME A PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE. The Partridge on a Pear Tree refers to Jesus the Christ, the Son of God. In the song Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge that feigns injury to decoy predators from her helpless nestlings.
2. ON THE SECOND DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME TWO TURTLE DOVES. The turtle doves are to signify the Old and New Testament.
3. ON THE THIRD DAY OF CHIRSTMAS MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME THREE FRENCH HENS. This represents the three Theological virtues: faith, hope and love.
4. ON THE FOURTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME FOUR CALLING BIRDS. The four birds stay to indicate the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
5. ON THE FIFTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME FIVE GOLD RINGS. The five rings signify the five books of the Old Testament: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy.
6. ON THE SIXTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME SIX GEESE A-LAYING. These represent the six days of creation.
7. ON THE SEVENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME SEVEN SWANS A-SWIMMING. They are the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, leading and compassion.
8. ON THE EIGHT DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME EIGHT MAIDS A-MILKING. These are the eight Beatitudes: Blessed are the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers and those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake.
9. ON THE NINETH DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME NINE LADIES DANCING. This paragraph refers to the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
10. ON THE TENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME TEN LORDS A-LEAPING. The ten commandments: You shall have no other gods before me; Do not make an idol; Do not take God’s name in vain; Remember the Sabbath day; Honor your father and your mother; Do not murder; Do not commit adultery; Do not steal; Do not bear false witness; Do not covet.
11. ON THE ELEVENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME ELEVEN PIPERS PIPING. This refers to the eleven FAITHFUL apostles: Simon Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James bar Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas bar James
12. ON THE TWELFTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME TWELVE DRUMMERS DRUMMING. This last paragraph refers to the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles’ Creed.
13. At the end of all this come the 6th of January, the Epiphany, the big manifestation of our Lord to the world, the day the Kings of other countries went to give their gifts to Jesus.