by Sherri A. Stanczak

Created on: November 29, 2009

THE MEANING OF TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

Throughout the years, we have all grown to love the song The Twelve Days of Christmas. Children love to sing its fun words and catchy phrases. Have you ever wondered what it meant though? What is a partridge in a pear tree, the maids a milking and the pipers piping all about? The song actually has a hidden meaning in it. There was a period of time, long ago, that it was against the law to be a Catholic in England. No one could practice that religion privately or publicly. If you did, you would be killed, sometimes very violently.

This song was actually a catechism song, which was written to help young Catholics to learn more about the Bible. Since Catholicism could not be expressed openly, there were songs written to send a hidden meaning so religion could still be taught.

Nursery rhymes and songs were used in code to talk about politics or religion amongst other people. The Twelve Days of Christmas was one of those songs with a hidden meaning. First of all, the twelve days of Christmas is the twelve days from Christmas Day, December 25th through January 6th, which is Epiphany, the day when the Wise Men came to visit baby Jesus.

The Twelve Days

One Partridge in a Pear Tree

1. God

Two Turtle Doves

1. Old Testament

2. New Testament

Three French Hens (Theological Virtues) I Corinthians 13:13

1. Faith

2. Hope

3. Love

Four Calling Birds (4 gospels)

1. Matthew

2. Mark

3. Luke

4. John

Five Golden Rings (First 5 books of the Old Testament: Pentateuch)

1. Genesis

2. Exodus

3. Leviticus

4. Numbers

5. Deuteronomy

Six Geese-a-Laying (6 Days of Creation)

1. Light & darkness

2. Sky & divided the waters

3. Earth & Seas

4. Sun, moon & stars (divided seasons,

5. Creatures of land, air & sea

6. Man

Seven Swans-a-Swimming (7 Sacraments)

1. Baptism

2. Confirmation or Chrismation

3. Penance/Confession

4. Holy Communion or Eucharist

5. Matrimony

6. Anointing of the Sick

7. Holy Orders

Maids a milking = Beatitudes (Latin word beatus meaning blessed or happy) Matthew 5:3-12

1. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven

2. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted

3. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

4. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

5. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

6. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

7. Blessed are the peacemakers,

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