WHAT'S THE STORY? PART 2

Continuing the discussion I started yesterday about the history behind our favorite Christmas carols, today I’m going to focus on The Twelve Days of Christmas.

It is thought that this song originated in England when Catholics were forbidden by law to practice their faith during the 16th through the 18th centuries. During that time Christianity was the only legal faith. The Catholics were forced to go to the Christian church, but they continued to teach their children basic doctrine in secret. It is important to remember that in that time period many people were illiterate. They often used counting songs and nonsense songs to convey their religious beliefs and other things that were important to them. There are some people who say that this song is not old enough to have been used as a secret catechism during the aforementioned restrictions on Catholicism. However, many people do use it as a way to summarize their faith, and they consider it a fun song to sing because it is repetitive and it requires memorization. Each of the twelve items in this song is thought to have some religious symbolism.

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

For Catholics, the Christmas celebration runs from December 26 to January 6, which is considered the traditional day to celebrate the Epiphany (when the wise men came to worship Jesus). In this line, “true love” is a reference to God.

A partridge in a pear tree

A mother partridge protects her chicks by luring enemies away from her nest and sacrificing her own life. In this line, the partridge symbolizes Jesus Christ, who sacrificed His life for our sins (John 10:14-15). The pear tree symbolizes the cross on which He was crucified (Gal. 3:13).

Two turtle doves

This is a reference to the Old and New Testaments, and also a reference to the two turtle doves offered at the Temple during Jesus’ dedication at the age of twelve (Luke 2:24).

Three French hens

This has two symbolic references: The Theological Virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity (1 Cor. 13:13), and the three gifts the wise men brought (gold, frankincense, and myrrh) which were very expensive (Matt. 2:10-11).

Four Calling Birds

This refers to the Four Gospels, which are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John (John 20:30-31).

Five Golden Rings

This refers to the first five books of the Old Testament (the Pentateuch), which gives the history of man's fall from grace (Luke 24:25-27).

Six Geese A-laying

This refers to the six days of creation (Gen. 1:31-2:2).

Seven Swans A-swimming

This refers to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit (Romans 12:6-8): prophesying, serving, teaching, encouraging, contributing to the needs of others, leadership, and mercy.

Eight Maids A-milking

This refers to the eight beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-10). They symbolize Christ’s faithfulness even to those who don’t deserve His love, because they were the least of the servants. 

Nine Ladies Dancing

This refers to the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23).

Ten Lords A-leaping

This refers to the Ten Commandments (Ex. 20:3-17). 

Eleven Pipers Piping

This refers to the eleven original apostles who remained faithful (Acts 1:13), unlike Judas when he betrayed Christ (John 17:12). They preached the good news of the gospel all over the world (Matt. 28:19; Rom 10:18-21).

Twelve Drummers Drumming

This refers to the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed, which summarizes the basic teachings of biblical Christian faith:

I believe in God the Father, maker of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell; the third day He rose from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. He shall return to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.

Bibliography:

1.  The Twelve Days of Christmas lyrics found at Carols.org.uk. http://www.carols.org.uk/the_twelve_days_of_christmas.htm

2.  Gretchen Passantino. The Twelve Days of Christmas. Originally written 1997 http://www.answers.org/issues/twelveda.html.  Revised 2001 http://www.answers.org/issues/twelvedb.html.