The Story behind Twelve Days of Christmas

The Story behind Twelve Days of Christmas

Below is an explanation from 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were
not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote
this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of
meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of
their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality
which the children could remember.

The partridge in a pear tree
was Jesus Christ

The Two Turtle Doves
were the Old and New Testaments

The Three French Hens
stood for faith, hope and love

The Four Calling Birds
were the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John

The Five Golden Rings
recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament

The Six Geese-a-Laying
stood of the six days of creation

The Seven Swans a-Swimming
represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy SpiritProphesy, Serving, Teaching,
Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership and Mercy

The Eight Maids a-Milking
were the eight beatitudes

The Nine Ladies Dancing
were the nine fruits of the Holy SpiritLove, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness,
Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-control

The Ten Lords a-Leaping
were the ten commandments

The Eleven Pipers Piping
stood for the eleven faithful disciples

The Twelve Drummers Drumming
symbolized for the twelve points of belief in the Apostles Creed