Blogs

Pastor Tom
Date: December 03rd 2009

Did you ever wonder why in the world there was a Christmas song about the twelve
days of Christmas? This is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me. What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won’t come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas?

Well, here is the answer. From 1558 until 1829, Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that time wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics.

Here is what the twelve days mean:

• The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ.


• Two turtledoves are the Old and New Testaments.


• Three French Hens stand for faith, hope and love.


• The four calling birds are the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.


• The five golden rings recall the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.


• The six geese a-laying stand for the six days of creation.


• Seven swans a-swimming represent the sevenfold gifts of the Spirit Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.


• The eight maids a-milking are the eight beatitudes.


• Nine ladies dancing are the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.


• The ten lords a-leaping are the Ten Commandments.


• The eleven pipers piping stand for the eleven faithful disciples.


• The twelve drummers drumming symbolize the twelve points of belief in The Apostles’ Creed.

So this Christmas when you hear this old familiar Carol think of the wonderful meaning it contains about the Christ Child and this faith that we share.

Have a wonderful Christmas season.

Pastor Tom