THE TWELVE
DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
People often think of "The Twelve Days
of Christmas" as the days preceding Christmas Day. Traditionally,
however, Christmas is a season of the Christian Year lasting for 12 days.
It begins December 25 and lasts until January 6--the day of Epiphany--when
the 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 risk of persecution. The song has two levels
of interpretation: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only
to members of the church.
Each element in the carol is a code word for a religious
reality.
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The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ.
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The two turtledoves are the Old and New Testaments.
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The three French hens stand for faith, hope and love.
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The four calling birds are the four Gospels.
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The five gold rings recall the Torah, the first five
books of the Old Testament.
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The six geese a-laying stand for the six days of creation.
-
The seven swans a-swimming represent the sevenfold gifts
of the Spirit.
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The eight maids a-milking are the eight beatitudes.
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The nine ladies dancing are the nine fruits of the Spirit
(Gal. 5).
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The ten lords a-leaping are the Ten Commandments.
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The eleven pipers piping stand for the eleven faithful
disciples.
-
The twelve drummers drumming symbolize the 12 points
of belief in the Apostles Creed.
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