Most of us are familiar with, and are likely annoyed by, the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas”. The first few rounds are kind of fun and silly and odd, but it grows annoying quickly. About the fourth time hearing people shout “Five golden rings!” the song begins to grow laborious. Kind of like a weird, holiday version of “99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall”. I’ll just put it all out there — I’ve pretty much hated that song most of my life. I’m still not totally “on board” with the song, but I am slowly coming around now that I know more about the purpose and meaning of the song.
The song has its origins in 16th Century England during a time of religious wars between Protestants and Catholics. As a means of self preservation many Catholics kept their faith secret publicly, but passed along the tenets of their faith in other, less conspicuous ways. The Twelve Days of Christmas was born of this time in history.
Each of the gifts that are given throughout the song are symbolic of aspects of the Christian faith. A partridge is a bird that is known to sacrifice its life for its babies. This bird represents Jesus, who is willing to give his life for us. The pear tree symbolizes the Cross. Did you know that turtle doves often mate for life? Because of this, they are seen as symbols of love, fidelity, and connection. In “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” the two turtle doves represent the Old and New Testament, which are deeply connected and meaningful. The three French hens signify the three theological virtues: faith, hope, and love. The four calling birds symbolize the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, which spread the good news of Jesus’ life and teachings. The five golden rings represent the first five books of the Old Testament, also known as the Pentateuch or the Torah. These books include: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The six geese a-laying symbolize the six days of creation, emphasizing God's power as the creator of the world. The seven swans a-swimming represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. The eight maids a-milking symbolizes the eight Beatitudes preached by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. The nine ladies dancing represents the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The ten lords a-leaping signifies the Ten Commandments. The eleven pipers piping represent the eleven faithful disciples of Jesus: Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the Younger, Simon, and Jude. The eleven pipers piping represent the eleven faithful disciples of Jesus: Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the Younger, Simon, and Jude. The twelve drummers drumming represent the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles' Creed, which summarizes the core beliefs of Christianity.
The Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting. Amen.
Knowing this doesn’t make the song less annoying, but it does at least make it more interesting and certainly more meaningful. Merry Christmas.
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