On The 12th Day

On the twelfth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
twelve drummers drumming,
eleven pipers piping,
ten lords a-leaping,
nine ladies dancing,
eight maids a-milking,
seven swans a-swimming,
six geese a-laying,
five golden rings,
four calling birds,
three French hens,
two turtle doves
and a partridge in a pear tree…

The twelve drummers drumming are the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles’ Creed. Belief in God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, that Jesus Christ was born of the Virgin Mary, made man, crucified, died, and arose on the third day, that he sits at the right hand of the father, will come again, the resurrection of the dead, and life everlasting.

On the 11th Day

On the eleventh day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
eleven pipers piping,
ten lords a-leaping,
nine ladies dancing,
eight maids a-milking,
seven swans a-swimming,
six geese a-laying,
five golden rings,
four calling birds,
three French hens,
two turtle doves
and a partridge in a pear tree…

The eleven pipers piping refer to the eleven faithful apostles. Simon Peter; Andrew; James; John; Philip; Bartholomew; Matthew; Thomas; James bar Alphaeus; Simon the Zealot; and Judas bar James.

On The 10th Day

On the tenth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
ten lords a-leaping,
nine ladies dancing,
eight maids a-milking,
seven swans a-swimming,
six geese a-laying,
five golden rings,
four calling birds,
three French hens,
two turtle doves
and a partridge in a pear tree…

The ten lords a-leaping represent the Ten Commandments.

(This one is for you Deanna xoxoxo)

On The 9th Day

On the ninth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
nine ladies dancing,
eight maids a-milking,
seven swans a-swimming,
six geese a-laying,
five golden rings,
four calling birds,
three French hens,
two turtle doves
and a partridge in a pear tree…

The nine ladies dancing are the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit found in Galatians: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

On The 8th Day

On the eighth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
eight maids a-milking,
seven swans a-swimming,
six geese a-laying,
five golden rings,
four calling birds,
three French hens,
two turtle doves
and a partridge in a pear tree…

The eight maids a-milking remind us of the eight beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount.

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land.

Blessed are they who mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill.

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

On The 7th Day

On the seventh day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
seven swans a-swimming,
six geese a-laying,
five golden rings,
four calling birds,
three French hens,
two turtle doves
and a partridge in a pear tree…

The seven swans a-swimming refer to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit – wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord.

On The 6th Day

On the sixth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
six geese a-laying,
five golden rings,
four calling birds,
three French hens,
two turtle doves
and a partridge in a pear tree…

The six geese a-laying refers to the six days of creation in the Book of Genesis.

On The 5th Day

On the fifth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
five golden rings,
four calling birds,
three French hens,
two turtle doves
and a partridge in a pear tree…

The five golden rings refer to the first five books of the Old Testament (Pentateuch) which gives the history of man’s fall from grace.

On The 4th Day

On the fourth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
four calling birds,
three French hens,
two turtle doves
and a partridge in a pear tree…

The four calling birds represent the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

On The 3rd Day

On the third day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
three French hens,
two turtle doves
and a partridge in a pear tree…

The three French hens represent the theological virtues: faith, hope and charity.

On The 2nd Day

On the second day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
two turtle doves
and a partridge in a pear tree…

The two turtle doves represent the Old and the New Testament.

On The 1st Day

The 12 days of Christmas song represent the 12 days between the birth of Jesus (Christmas, December 25th) and the coming of the Magi (Epiphany, January 6th).

In England during the period of 1558 to 1829 it was prohibited to practice the Catholic faith in England. It was a crime during that time to be a Roman Catholic. Many believe that the 12 days of Christmas song was one of the ‘Catechism songs’ which was used to help (secret) young Roman Catholics learn the tenets of their faith.

The song was used as a memory aid for Catholics in a time where to be caught with anything in writing indicating adherence to the Catholic faith could get you imprisoned, beheaded or hanged.

The song’s 12 gifts are hidden meanings to the teachings of Catholicism. The ‘true love’ mentioned in the song refers to God.

On the first day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
a partridge in a pear tree….

The partridge in a pear tree represents Jesus Christ.