The Twelve Days of Christmas

From 1558 to 1829 Roman Catholics in England were not able to practice their faith openly, so they had to find other ways to pass on their beliefs. The song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is one example of how they did it. The song is in a sense an allegory. Each of the items in the song represents something of religious significance. The hidden meaning of each gift was designed to help young Christians learn their faith.

1. The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ.

2. The two turtledove are the Old and New Testaments.

3. Three French hens stand for faith, hope and love.

4. The four calling birds are the four Gospels.

5. The five gold rings recall the Torah (Law) the first five book of the Old Testament.

6. The six geese a-laying stand for the six days of creation.

7. Seven swans a-swimming represent the sevenfold gifts of the Spirit.

8. The eight maids a-milking are the eight beatitudes.

9. Nine ladies dancing? These are the nine fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5).

10. The ten lords a-leaping are the Ten Commandments.

11. Eleven pipers piping stand for the eleven faithful disciples.

12. Twelve drummers drumming symbolize the 12 points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.