The Origin of the ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’

Have you ever heard the song ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas?’ כמובן, you have!

למרות זאת, did you know that the song was written to allow Catholic parents to teach their faith to their sons and daughters in secret?

Why in secret? Because, from 1558 – 1829, Catholics were not allowed to practice their faith, in any form, in England. כך, Catholic parents used symbols such as the three french hens and five golden rings to represent different parts of the faith.

כך, who do you suppose is “my true love?” Well, God, כמובן.

Here are all the Twelve Days and their meanings:

1. A partridge in a pear tree: Jesus is the partridge. He was a carpenter who worked with wood and died on a wooden cross.
2. Two turtle doves: the Old Testament and the New Testament.
3. Three French hens: the Three Theological Virtues: Faith, Hope, and Love.
4. Four calling birds: the four Gospel writers: מתיו, סימן, לוק, and John.
5. Five golden rings: the five books of the Torah: בראשית, סֵפֶר שֵׁמוֹת, סֵפֶר וַיִקְרָא, מספרים, and Deuteronomy.
6. Six geese a-laying: the six days that it took God to make creation.
7. Seven swans a-swimming: the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.
8. Eight maids a-milking: the eight beatitudes.
9. Nine ladies a-dancing: the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit
10. Ten lords a-leaping: the Ten Commandments.
11. Eleven pipers piping: the 11 faithful disciples.
12. Twelve drummers drumming: the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles’ Creed.

These are the meanings of each of the gifts. The next time you hear or sing this song, think of all the great gifts God has given us. Merry Christmas!

(Lucy learned this from her fifth-grade teacher at her Catholic school.)