- Did you know the 12 Days of Christmas song is based on Christianity? If not, know you do.
It’s not just a fun Christmas song about the 12 days, it’s got a big meaning behind it as well. Would you want almost non-stop birds for Christmas presents?
The 12 Days
– A Partridge in a Pear Tree represents Jesus Christ (a mother partridge is willing to die to protect her young), and is given on “the first day of Christmas” since the first of the twelve days falls on Christ’s birthday.
– Two Turtle Doves represent both the Old and the New Testaments.
– Three French Hens stands for faith, hope, and love.
– Four Calling Birds named after the four gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
– Five Golden Rings representing the Pentateuch—the first five books of the Old Testament.
– Six Geese-a-Laying are the six days of creation (before the seventh day of rest).
– Seven Swans-a-Swimming symbolizing the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit being Prophecy, serving, teaching, exhortation, giving, leading, and mercy.
– Eight Maids-a-Milking are the eight Beatitudes from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount from Matthew 5:1-10.
– Nine Ladies Dancing represents the fruit of the Spirit, from Galatians 5:22-23): Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
– Ten Lords-a-Leaping are after the Ten Commandments.
– Eleven Pipers Piping stands for the eleven faithful disciples.
– Twelve Drummers Drumming symbolizes the twelve points of belief stated in the Apostles’ Creed.
When are the 12 Days?
Most people would think it’d be the 12 days directly leading up to Christmas but it turns out, it’s not. The days actually begin on Christmas and go through January 5th.
Why the 12 Days?
The significance of the days comes from the celebration of Jesus’ birth on December 25th. The days last until January 5th, the day before “The Beast of the Epiphany,” commemorating the arrivals of the magi to Bethlehem.
What Are The Gifts?
The gifts include a partridge, turtle doves, French hens, calling birds, golden rings, geese, swans, maids, ladies, lords, pipers and drummers.
What Comes Before Christmas?
Advent, a reverent period of expectation and waiting for Christ, happens this year between Sunday December 3rd and Sunday December 24th.
When did The 12 Days of Christmas, the song, come out?
These lyrics were published in 1780, though they may have existed far before that. The music that goes along with the song these days come from an arrangement from 1909.
Did you know these things about the 12 Days of Christmas song? Let me know in the comments!