Twelve Days of Christmas origin

The “Twelve Days of Christmas” was originally written to help Catholic children in England remember different articles of faith during the persecution by Protestant Monarchs. Below you will find the original meaning behind the lyrics to this favorite Christmas classic song. The ‘true love’ represents God. The ‘Partridge in a Pear Tree’ represents Christ. ‘Two Turtle Doves’ represents the Old and New Testaments in the Bible. ‘Three French Hens’ represents Faith, Hope and Charity-the Theological virtues. ‘Four Calling Birds’ represents the four Gospels or four evangelists; Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. ‘Five Golden Rings’ represents The first five books of the old testament (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy) the ‘Pentateuch’, which relays the history of man’s fall from grace. ‘Six Geese A-Laying’ represents the six days of Creation. ‘Seven Swans A-Swimming’ represents the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit (the seven sacraments): wisdom, understanding, wonder and awe, right judgment, knowledge, courage, and reverence. ‘Eight Maids A-Milking’ represents the eight beatitudes: Blessed are the poor in spirit, Blessed are the meek, Blessed are they whom mourn, Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice, Blessed are the merciful, Blessed are the clean of heart, Blessed are the peacemakers, and Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice’s sake. ‘Nine Ladies Dancing’ represents the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit; Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control. ‘Ten Lords A-Leaping’ represents the Ten Commandments. ‘Eleven Pipers Piping’ represents the eleven FAITHFUL Apostles. ‘Twelve Drummers Drumming’ represents the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle’s Creed. I hope this little history lesson has been as intriguing for you as it was for me.