The Twelve Days of Christmas
The Christmas song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is an English Christmas carol that was first published in 1780.
But the earliest known version of the song was said to have been recorded in 1842 by the English scholar James Halliwell.
In the early 20th century, English composer Frederic Austin wrote an arrangement in which he added his melody from "Five gold rings" onwards and this has been a part of the song ever since.
The joyful song mainly speaks of a list of gifts that the singer's true love sent her on the twelve days of Christmas or the twelve festive days beginning on Christmas day until the Feast of the Epiphany.
We all know the series of gifts beginning with the partridge in a pear tree until the drummers.
But let us delve into the religious meaning of the song which some might not be aware of.
To begin with, the partridge, which is the first gift, refers to the true love of God.
This is the most important gift that God can offer us on Christmas.
The two turtle doves refer to to the Old and New Testaments.
The three french Hens refer to Faith, Hope and Charity, the virtues of the Church.
The four calling birds refer to the four gospels o Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
The five golden rings refer to the first five books of the Old Testament which gives the history of man's fall from grace.
The six geese a-laying refer to the six days of creation in which God created this wonderful world.
The seven swans a-swimming refer to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.
The eight maids a-milking refer to the beatitudes.
The nine ladies dancing refer to the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit.
The ten lords a-leaping refer to the Ten Commandments that God wants us to follow.
The eleven pipers piping refer to the eleven faithful apostles of Jesus.
Lastly, the ten drummers drumming refer to the points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed.
These are basic Christian Catechism that the Lord has gifted us with.
Let us take note of these gifts as we learn to live them out in our daily lives.
We can take a lot from the messages that are given to us in the lyrics of Christmas carols and Christmas songs and use them in our daily lives at whether it be at Christmas time or throughout the rest of the year.
But the earliest known version of the song was said to have been recorded in 1842 by the English scholar James Halliwell.
In the early 20th century, English composer Frederic Austin wrote an arrangement in which he added his melody from "Five gold rings" onwards and this has been a part of the song ever since.
The joyful song mainly speaks of a list of gifts that the singer's true love sent her on the twelve days of Christmas or the twelve festive days beginning on Christmas day until the Feast of the Epiphany.
We all know the series of gifts beginning with the partridge in a pear tree until the drummers.
But let us delve into the religious meaning of the song which some might not be aware of.
To begin with, the partridge, which is the first gift, refers to the true love of God.
This is the most important gift that God can offer us on Christmas.
The two turtle doves refer to to the Old and New Testaments.
The three french Hens refer to Faith, Hope and Charity, the virtues of the Church.
The four calling birds refer to the four gospels o Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
The five golden rings refer to the first five books of the Old Testament which gives the history of man's fall from grace.
The six geese a-laying refer to the six days of creation in which God created this wonderful world.
The seven swans a-swimming refer to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.
The eight maids a-milking refer to the beatitudes.
The nine ladies dancing refer to the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit.
The ten lords a-leaping refer to the Ten Commandments that God wants us to follow.
The eleven pipers piping refer to the eleven faithful apostles of Jesus.
Lastly, the ten drummers drumming refer to the points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed.
These are basic Christian Catechism that the Lord has gifted us with.
Let us take note of these gifts as we learn to live them out in our daily lives.
We can take a lot from the messages that are given to us in the lyrics of Christmas carols and Christmas songs and use them in our daily lives at whether it be at Christmas time or throughout the rest of the year.
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