Before we get too far into the season of Advent, I thought I'd present what the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" really means.
THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
The Twelve Days of Christmas are December 26 to Epiphany, January 6. The song, “The Twelve Days of Christmas” is an English carol written during the time of persecution in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, against Roman Catholics. “The Twelve Days of Christmas” was a coded message that helped young Catholic children learn the tenets of the Faith and be able to recite them without fear of going to jail. Each “day” has a hidden meaning concerning teachings of the Catholic Faith.
The “true love” refers to God. The “me” who receives the gifts, refers to every baptized person. The Pear Tree is the cross and the Partridge is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Christ is symbolically portrayed as a mother partridge that fakes injury to trick predators from her helpless chicks. It reminds us of Christ’s sadness over the fate of Jerusalem: “How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” Matthew 23:37
1. THE PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE REFERS TO JESUS ON THE CROSS
2. Turtle Doves: The Old and New Testaments
3. French Hens: The Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Also,the
Theological Virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity
4. Calling Birds: The four Gospels and/or the four Gospel writers-Matthew,
Mark, Luke, and John
5. Gold Rings: The first 5 Books of the Old Testament; also the five wounds
of Jesus Christ
6. Geese A-laying: The Six days of Creation
7. Swans A-swimming: The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit and 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 after Judas’s betrayal
12. Drummers drumming: The Twelve Points of Doctrine in the Apostle’s Creed
Enjoy the song, as now it really has meaning. Teach the kids.
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