The 12 Days of Christmas

Many people believe that the 12 days of Christmas are the 12 days before Christmas. Actually The twelve days of Christmas are the twelve days after Christmas. They are the days between Christmas Day and The Epiphany, Jan. 6th. This is the day Christians celebrate the arrival of the Wise Men and the revelation of Christ as the light of the world.

The Christmas Song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is one of the most beloved Christmas songs. It is a silly song and there are many versions. But this song actually has religious symbolism and a quite serious purpose. It dates back from a time of religious persecution. The song was written as a kind of secret catechism that Christians could sing in public without fear of arrest. It was also a learning or memory aid to Christians. Each element of the song is a code word for a religious truth. These codes were known only to the Christians involved.

1. The partridge in a pear tree represents Jesus Christ.
2. The two turtledoves stand for the Old and New Testaments.
3. The Three French hens stand for faith, hope and love.
4. The four calling birds are the four Gospels.
5. The five gold rings stand for the first five books of the Old Testament. The Hebrew Torah.
6. The six geese a laying stand for the six days of creation.
7. The seven swans a swimming represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.
8. The eight maids a milking are the eight Beatitudes.
9. Nine ladies dancing are the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit.
10. The ten lords a leaping are the Ten Commandments.
11. Eleven pipers piping represent the eleven faithful Apostles.
12. Twelve drummers drumming symbolize the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles creed.

The " true love " mentioned in the song refers to God Himself while the " me " receiving the gifts refers to every Christian. Through the years the song has become more of a fun Christmas tune for kids than a religious Christmas Carol. Most people that sing it are not thinking of it's meanings. There are different versions and people have changed the lyrics making it more modern and funny. One of the most famous rewrites is " The Twelve Pains of Christmas " which is sung to the same tune but the lyrics are all about the Twelve things that most people hate about Christmas like finding a Christmas tree, finding parking spaces, rigging up Christmas lights, five months of bills, and Etc.... But remember that that " Silly " song we sing at Christmas time has more meaning than we thought.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone from Mayfield Florist!