December 15, 2009

So here is something I learned last year at Christmastime.  Merry Christmas!!

The 12 Days of Christmas

Did you know?
Some early traditions hold that this song was used as a teaching tool to instruct young people of various denominations in the Christian faith.  Even without the symbolism, the song is a playful piece that loses none of its appeal when taken at face value.

1.       A Partridge in a Pear Tree

The partridge in the pear tree is Jesus on the cross.  The bird imagery can also be seen as symbolic of Christ’s teaching “as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings.” (Luke 13:34)

2.       Two turtle doves

The two turtledoves represent the Old Testament and the New Testament.

3.       Three French Hens

The three French hens symbolize the three members of the Godhead: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.  Alternatively, they represent the three virtues: faith, hope, and charity (1 Corinthians 13:13).

4.       Four Colly Birds

The four colly birds (“colly” is an old word for “black”) stand for the four Evangelists – Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John – or the four Gospels they wrote.

5.       Five golden rings

The five gold rings correspond to the first five books of the Bible, sometimes referred to as the Pentateuch.

6.       Six Geese A-Laying

The six geese a-laying refer to the six days of the Creation (Genesis 1:31; Exodus 20:11)

7.       Seven Swans A-Swimming

The seven swans a-swimming suggest the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit (Romans 12:6–8).  Alternately, the seven swans represent the seven sacraments recognized by some faith traditions.

8.       Eight Maids A-Milking

The eight maids a-milking signify the eight Beatitudes from Christ’s Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:3–10).

9.       Nine Ladies Dancing

The nine ladies dancing embody the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23).

10.   Ten Lords A-Leaping

The ten lords a-leaping denote Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:3–17).

11.   Eleven Pipers Piping

The eleven pipers piping are the eleven faithful Apostles (Luke 6:13–16; Acts 1:26).

12.   Twelve Drummers Drumming

The twelve drummers drumming are the twelve doctrines in the Apostles’ Creed (namely: belief in the Father, belief in the Son, the virgin birth, the atonement, his ministry after death, his ascension to Heaven, his role as judge, belief in the Holy Ghost, belief in the church, forgiveness of sins, the resurrection, and eternal life).

Life, Religion

next post: « NBC’s Christmas... previous post: The Twelve Days of... »