The Secret Meaning Behind the '12 Days of Christmas'

Concerning the popular song 'the Twelve Days of Christmas', people often think of the twelve days as the days preceding a festival. Actually, Christmas is a season of the Christian Year that lasts for the twelve days beginning December 25 and lasting until January 6 - the Day of Epiphany, when the Christian church celebrates the revelation of Christ as the Light of the world and recalls the journey of the magi.

From 1558 until 1829 Roman Catholics in England were not allowed to practice their faith openly. During that era someone wrote 'The Twelve Days of Christmas' as a kind of secret catechism that could be sung in public without the risk of persecution. Children especially were taught this song.

The song has two levels of interpretation: the surface meaning of a frivolous lord showering his lady with gifts, plus a hidden meaning known only to members of the church.

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

God is the first and only "true love". "Me" is actually each one of us. God truly loves each one of us.

"A partridge in a pear tree."

The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ. The pear tree is a reminder of the cross.

The "two turtledoves" are the Old and New Testaments. These are the two great gifts which each Christian receives.

The "three French hens" stand for faith, hope and love. Each is a wonderful gift bestowed upon us from God.

; The "four calling birds" are the four Gospels; Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John, which speak of Jesus. These men traveled of "flew like birds" across the land to spread the word of God.

The "five gold rings" recall the first five books of the Old Testament or the Torah. These books were treated by the Jews with great reverence and considered worth more than gold (Psalm 19:10).

The "six geese a-laying" stand for the six days of creation. Eggs are an almost universal symbol of new life. The laying geese are symbolic of how God spoke the word and brought forth life.

"Seven swans a-swimming" represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit (Romans 12:6-8): prophesy, service, teaching, encouraging, giving, leadership, mercy.

The "eight maids a-milking" are the eight Beatitudes of Jesus (Matthew 5:3-10) and they nourish us as milk does.

So where do the "nine ladies dancing" come in? They represent the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23): love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

The" ten lords a-leaping" are the Ten Commandments. (Exodus 20:3-17). At the time the song was written, Lords were men who had authority in people's lives.

"Eleven pipers piping" stand for the eleven faithful disciples and how they went forth into the world, spread the word of God and created a following of Christians.

"Twelve drummers drumming" symbolize the 12 points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.

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.

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 catholic church, the communion of saints,

The forgiveness of sins,

The resurrection of the body,

And life everlasting.