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Religious: The 12 Days of Christmas
Pastor Eric J. Kregel
for South Peace News
During a time of intense religious persecution in England, “secret songs” or “coded music” was written to keep the faith alive and teach children about a faith in Christ.
Thus the ‘12 Days of Christmas’ was written with the purpose of teaching underground Catholics about the meaning behind the season. Ironically, most of the lessons taught by this song are not exclusively Catholic, but can be enjoyed by all who have a Christian faith.
A partridge in a pear tree: This is an image about Jesus. The song begins and ends with Christ. If this seems a silly metaphor, consider Luke 13:34 and Matthew 23:24, “Jerusalem! Jerusalem! How often would I have sheltered thee under my wings, as a hen does her chicks, but thou wouldst not have it so.” In both Gospels, Christ compares Himself to the nature of a bird as a way of taking care of people.
Two turtle doves: These are symbols of both the Old and New Testament, showing both are valid, both work together and both are authority for our lives.
Three French horns (or hens): These are symbols of hope, faith, and charity that ends the “love chapter”” of 1 Corinthians 13.
Four calling birds: These represent the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John).
Five golden rings: At this point, the song pauses dramatically in reverence. The golden rings are symbols of the first five books of the Old Testament or the Torah. The entire law is contained in these books, reminding Christians to remember their Jewish roots.
Six geese a-laying: The geese are a symbol of the six days of creation (bearing in mind that God rested on the seventh day). I always found it funny that the song depicts the work of the world as laying an egg. On my bad days, I share this sentiment.
Seven swans a-swimming: In Corinthians, it describes that everyone who believes in Jesus and becomes a new person - a Christian - is given a special gift. Some have the gift of teaching, others have the gift of mercy and so forth. The seven swans are symbols of these different gifts to be used as the church serves the community.
Eight maids a-milking: In Matthew, Jesus begins his public ministry with a speech and explaining that people are blessed (happy) if they possess certain virtues or beatitudes. The maids are symbols of these beatitudes.
Nine ladies dancing: These are symbols of the “fruits of the spirit” described in Galatians Chapter 5. The “fruit of the spirit” is a characteristic, such as joy or hope, that one possesses when one follows God, instead of being self-centered. It’s interesting the writer expresses following God with the merry image of nine women dancing.
Ten lords a-leaping: Simply, this is a symbol of the Ten Commandments. Again, it’s interesting that an oppressed Catholic decided to depict following God’s Commandments with the joy of a lord spontaneously jumping around his manor.
Eleven pipers piping: These are the remaining Apostles who were faithful to Jesus after His death. Remember, Judas betrayed Jesus and then hung himself.
Twelve drummers drumming: The last symbol is the most Catholic: the 12 points of the Catholic Creed.
Although I do not hold to a Catholic heritage, as a Protestant, I am touched by the truth encoded in this simple song mainly because it was intended to teach children, every year around Christmas, about the purpose and context of Christ’s birth.
Also, I love how each round begins, “My true love gave to me”. This is the last symbol, for the singer’s true love is God, the Father.
And what amazing gifts He has given us for Christmas. Have we truly received them and allowed them to change our lives? These gifts, from our “one, true love?”
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