The Twelve Days of Christmas

Legend has it that "The Twelve Days of Christmas" was a coded song written in England during the 16th century. From 1558 to 1829 Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. So someone wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It had two meanings, the surface meaning and a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Whatever the origin may be, the hidden meanings fill the song with faith and make it interesting for believers today.

1st day of Christmas: "a partridge in a pear tree" a symbol for Jesus Christ
2nd day of Christmas: "2 turtle doves" the Old and New Testaments
3rd day of Christmas: "3 french hens" 3 Christian virtues: faith, hope, charity
4th day of Christmas: "4 calling birds" symbols of the 4 Gospels
5th day of Christmas: "5 golden rings" 1st 5 books of the Old Testament
6th day of Christmas: "6 geese a-laying" refers to the 6 days of creation
7th day of Christmas: "7 swans a-swimming" 7 gifts of the spirit outlined by Paul in Romans 12:6-8.
8th day of Christmas: "8 maids a-milking" the 8 Beattitudes
9th day of Christmas: "9 ladies dancing" recalled the 9 fruits of the Spirit Paul taught the Galatians (5:22-23).
10th day of Christmas: "10 Lords a-leaping" symbolic of the Ten Commandments
11th day of Christmas: "11 pipers piping" represented 11 faithful Apostles
12th day of Christmas: "12 drummers drumming" the 12 Apostles