THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

Did you know that the gifts in “The Twelve Days of Christmas” actually have hidden meanings?  The song was written in England to teach children about the Catholic Faith during a time when it was a crime to be a Catholic.  The true love in the song refers to God, and the beloved who receives the gifts refers to every baptized person

          The Partridge in a Pear Tree is Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  The other symbols mean the following:

            Two Turtle Doves = the Old and New Testaments.

            Three French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity, the theological virtues.

            Four Calling Birds = the four Gospels and/or the four Evangelists.

            Five Golden Rings = the first five books of the Old Testament, the “Pentateuch,”

            which gives the history of man’s fall from grace.

            Six Geese a-Laying = the six days of creation.

            Seven Swans-a Swimming = the seven gifts of the      Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments.

            Eight Maids-a-Milking = the eight beatitudes

            Nine Ladies Dancing = the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit.

            Ten Lords-a-Leaping = the Ten Commandments.

            Eleven Pipers Piping = the eleven faithful apostles.

            Twelve Drummers Drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles Creed.