A Look at “The Twelve Days of Christmas”

 

The song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is a song about the twelve days between the time of the Messiah's birth and the appearance of the Magi at the manger. The earliest known printed version of the song dates back to 1780 in an English book entitled Mirth Without Mischief. However, it is believed the song is much older than this and likely has French origins.

 

Urban legend would have one believe this song was created as a secret way for believers to pass on the doctrines of the Church. While there is no evidence to show that the "Twelve Days of Christmas" was designed to teach people the tenets of the faith  (see: www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/12days.asp), the following interpretation can serve as a helpful reminder of the focus of the Christmas season.

 

The "true love" refers to G-d Himself, and the "me" is every baptized person. The partridge is the Messiah, who appearing injured, is acting as a decoy to keep predators from the young hatchlings. This is also said to refer to Messiah's lament over Jerusalem. "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!" Lk. 13:34

 

According to the legend, the other symbols mean the following:

 

two turtle doves = the Old and New Testaments

three French hens = faith, hope, and love (a.k.a. the theological virtues), or the             Holy Trinity

four calling birds (a corrupted form of "colly" – or "black as coal" birds) = the             Four Gospels, or the 4 major prophets of the Old Testament (Isaiah,             Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel)

five golden rings = the first five books of the Bible (the Pentateuch)

six geese a-laying = the six days of creation

seven swans a-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, or the seven             sacraments

eight maids a-milking = the eight beatitudes

nine ladies dancing = the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit

ten lords a-leaping = the Ten Commandments

eleven pipers piping = the eleven faithful apostles

twelve drummers drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's             Creed

 

 

Again, there is no substantiation to the "hidden catechism" theory within the Twelve Days of Christmas, but like many other borrowed Christmas traditions, perhaps this might serve as a reminder of the many good reasons to celebrate Messiah's birth.

Author: Spouse

Date: 22 December 2007