The 12 Days of Christmas: Catechism or Nonsense Song?

Once the Christmas season comes around you will inevitably hear the strains of the song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas." It is so familiar to us that we usually brush it off as another fun Christmas song to sing or a nonsense song. But is it?

There are some that claim this song dates back to the early 16^th century and to the religious wars during that time. When England was in turmoil over rejecting Catholicism in favor of Protestantism, this song was rumored to have been written to secretly teach basic tenets of the Catholic faith to children by using hidden meanings. Essentially, it was a mnemonic device to help them remember their catechism.

The Twelve Days of Christmas are, contrary to popular belief, not the twelve days prior to Christmas. In most religious calendars, the twelve days are counted from the birth of Christ (celebrated on December 25) up to the night before Epiphany (the day celebrated as the Magi arriving to pay homage to Christ), January 5^th.

A Partridge in a Pear Tree

In the song, the "true love" is meant to represent God the Father, not an earthly suitor. The partridge in a pear tree represents Jesus, God the Son. A partridge is used because a mother partridge will make herself a decoy and simulate injury to protect her baby birds in the nest. It is reminiscent of Jesus' words in Luke 13:34, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem ... how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!" The pear tree is used to represent the cross.

Two Turtle Doves

The two turtle doves represent the Old and the New Testaments in the Bible. Turtle doves are perhaps used for reference here because they are historically the birds used to represent love and loss. The Old and New Testaments were given as a revelation of God's love for all people and show the "loss" of Christ on the cross. Isaiah 40:8, "The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever."

Three French Hens

Three is a very popular number in the Christian faith. It could stand for the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit or it could stand for the three gifts given by the Magi: gold, frankincense and myrrh. If it does stand for the gifts of the Magi, the gold represents Christ as King. The frankincense stands for Christ as the Intercessor or priest. Myrrh was representative of Christ's death. The women would use this fragrance to mask the smell of death as they wrapped the bodies for burial.

However, it most likely stands for the three theological virtues: faith, hope and charity (love). I Corinthians 13:13, "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."

Four Calling Birds

The calling birds represent the four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. These are the gospels that "call out" to all people with the Good News of salvation. John 3:16, "ForGod so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should notperish but have eternal life."

Five Golden Rings

The first five books of the Bible, also known as the Pentateuch, are represented by the five golden rings. Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy give the history of humanity, their fall from grace and God's plan for redemption. Psalm 18:1-3, "I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies." The gold rings, which normally symbolized marriage, possibly are used to represent that without the marriage of the first five books to the rest of the Bible, you have no marriage (or foundation) for the rest of the faith.

Six Geese a-Laying

The six geese laying eggs symbolize the birth of all things: the six days it took God to create the world. Genesis 1:1, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."

Seven Swans a-Swimming

The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit correspond to the seven swans. "A-swimming" denotes an action and reinforces the idea that the gifts are actively used. The seven gifts are prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, leading, and compassion. Romans 12:6-8, "Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity;the one who leads,with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness." (Also, 1 Corinthians 12:8-11.)

Eight Maids a-Milking

The eight maids a-milking represents the eight Beatitudes found in Matthew 5:3-10.

They are: 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, those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake.

Nine Ladies Dancing

Galatians 5:22-23a reads: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." These Fruits of the Holy Spirit are symbolized in the nine ladies dancing. Ladies were most likely chosen because the virtuous woman in that day was to exhibit all of these qualities.

Ten Lords a-Leaping

Probably the most famous "ten" in the Bible is the Ten Commandments. "You shall have no other gods before me; do not make for yourselves an idol; do not take the LORD's name in vain; remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy; honor your father and mother; do not murder; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not bear false witness; do not covet." (Exodus 20:1-17) Whereas the fruits of the Spirit were more feminized qualities, the Ten Commandments are bold and forthright, almost masculine. That is perhaps why they chose lords for this verse.

Eleven Pipers Piping

The eleven pipers are the eleven faithful disciples. Judas Iscariot is left out because of his betrayal. Luke 6:14-16, "Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor." Pipers may have been chosen in this instance because pipers usually are not soloists. They follow a leader and are strongest when playing together.

Twelve Drummers Drumming

The twelve drummers represent the twelve articles or points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed: 1) I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. 2) I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. 3) He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. 4) He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell [the grave]. 5) On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. 6) He will come again to judge the living and the dead. 7) I believe in the Holy Spirit, 8) the holy Catholic Church, 9) the communion of saints, 10) the forgiveness of sins, 11) the resurrection of the body, 12) and life everlasting. The drummer could have been chosen as the symbol here because a drum is the loudest instrument, perhaps representing how significant the creed is.

This simple song is richly layered as a mnemonic device for catechism. With the significance of the numbers and secret hints, the devout Catholics were able to teach tenets of faith in the bloody Protestant Reformation.

Or maybe this is merely a folk-tale. Historians have long debated the origin of this song. However, England and the Scandinavian countries have had a version of this song/poem in existence since the 16^th century. There is no concrete evidence to support the accuracy of the catechism idea nor is there enough to debunk it. Either way, it makes for an interesting tale.

Sources

The Holy Bible, New International Version

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version

http://www.reformed.org/

http://www.cresourcei.org/cy12days.html