It’s the season for shopping (I can’t believe I just typed that). So my family has begun the race to buy gifts and roam the crowded malls. As we shopped last weekend I noticed that Pottery Barn displayed using the classic song “The Twelve Days of Christmas” as their theme. This one Christmas song has always confused me
I mean 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?
There is no substantive evidence supporting this claim, and no evidence that the claim is historical, or “anything but a fanciful modern day speculation.” But some believe it to be a catechism song to help young Catholics learn their faith. From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality, which the children could remember. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church.
The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments
Three French hens stood for faith, hope, and love.
The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John
The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.
The ten lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments.
The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles’ Creed.
So there is your history. You can read more here.
