12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

One repeating Christmas story which is more legendary yet interesting in it's development as 'fact' as often printed throughout the World-Wide Web, is about the origin of this popular Christmas song. This story is reportedly that it originated from the middle ages in that Christmas was extended from a one-day celebration to a 12-day celebration. It begins with Christmas day and ends with the Epiphany - twelve days later.The story of the song develops that during this time period (mid-1500's to the early 1800's) people of the Catholic faith were being repressed by many anti-Christian laws in England. To hide their Christianity but teach their faith, believers came up with a song that was actually a Catechism for children to learn the Catholic faith, and each of the gifts were a clue to the teaching.

This song was published during a time in England when there were many publications that contained double meanings (for example, the nursery rhyme "Baa Baa Black Sheep Have You Any Wool" was believed by many to refer to the tax system. Where the 3 bags of wool created by the peasant had to be given away. One to the master (the King or Royalty), one to the Dame (the landowners who rented to the peasants), and one to the Little Boy who lives down the lane (referencing the Church) leaving nothing for the peasant. This was also occurring elsewhere in the world, most notably in the United States where Benjamin Franklin published many writings with double meanings, including his most famous example: King Richards Almanac.

The Legend:
In the song, 'My true love' refers to God, 'gave to me' refers to being baptized, and the 'partridge in the pear tree' is a direct reference to Jesus the Savior in the first verse of the song.
2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments
3 French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues
4 Calling Birds = the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
5 Golden Rings = The first Five Books of the Old Testament, known as the "Pentateuch", which gives the history of man's fall from grace. 6 Geese A-Laying = the six days of creation
7 Swans A-Swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments
8 Maids A-Milking = the eight beatitudes
9 Ladies Dancing = the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
10 Lords A-Leaping = the ten commandments
11 Pipers Piping = the eleven faithful apostles
12 Drummers Drumming = twelve points of doctrine in The Apostle's Creed

• 
  Others believe the song was simply a delightful rhyme set to music. The song was developed and used as a "memory and forfeits game" that was played by the children of this time period. The game was played by a leader reciting the first verse, and continued around, each child reciting the next verse.


• Many Christians do celebrate January 6 as the Epiphany, also known as the 12th Day of Christmas, the Twelfth Night, Three King's Day. The word epiphany means an appearance or manifestation especially of a divine being; an illuminating discovery as when the Magi finally found the baby Jesus. Note that this story does not have "hard evidence" as to the true nature of the song and is more likely anecdotal. It can certainly be used today to teach a part of Christianity. We repeat this story because it is a fun song to learn as well as other Christmas-related songs - no matter what your faith.

The words to The Twelve Days of Christmas are:

• On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me A partridge in a pear tree.


• on the second day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.


• On the third day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.


• On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.


• On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.


• On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.


• On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.


• On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.


• On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, Nine ladies dancing, Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.


• On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Ten lords a-leaping, Nine ladies dancing, Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.


• On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, Eleven pipers piping, Ten lords a-leaping, Nine ladies dancing, Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.


• On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, Twelve drummers drumming, Eleven pipers piping, Ten lords a-leaping, Nine ladies dancing, Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree!