12 Days of Christmas Revealed

Everyone has heard the Christmas carol “The 12 Days of Christmas”. Did you know the original song had a hidden message behind the wording? In 1558 King Henry VIII fell out of favor with the Catholic Church because he wished to divorce and marry another woman. During that time, King Henry VIII established the “Church of England”, a Protestant church that referred to a church in protest of Catholicism. Not only did the King establish a new church but he made it the law of the land that no subject was to practice Catholicism or own a Catholic Bible. That law was in effect until 1829.

“The 12 Days of Christmas” was written to symbolically teach the children about their Catholic faith. The 12-day time period refers to the time from Christmas day (December 25th) through the Epiphany (6th of January when it is said the Magi visited the Christ child). The opening line of the song is “On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me.” The reference to “my true love” represents the Lord (the true love of the world), and “me” refers to the Christian that has received these gifts. After that, each of the 12 days has a deeper meaning.

The first day of Christmas: symbol of a partridge was often used as a mythical divine king. A partridge in a pear tree = Jesus who died on the cross. Day two: Old & New Testaments = two turtledoves. Day three: the three French hens = three gifts of the Holy Spirit; faith, hope and love. Day four: the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John = four calling birds. Day five: the first five books of the Old Testament (the books of Moses) or the Torah = five golden rings. Day six: the six geese a-laying = six days of creation. Day seven: the seven swans a-swimming = seven gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:8-11). Day eight: the eight maids a-milking = eight beatitudes on happiness (Matthew 5:3-10). Day nine: the nine ladies dancing = nine fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Day ten: the ten lords a-leaping = the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17). Day eleven: the eleven faithful disciples of Jesus = eleven pipers piping. Day twelve: the twelve drummers drumming = the twelve points in the Apostle’s Creed.

It never ceases to amaze me the ingenuity of man. No matter how oppressed a nation may become, there is always a ray of hope to ease its burdens. May all of you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. And may you always carry a ray of hope in your heart! - Sharleigh