Everyone has heard the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” But did you know that those silly , fun lyrics may have held special meaning for Catholics in England from 1535 to 1829?
Beginning under the rule of King Henry the VIII, under the Act of Supremacy, or the Statute of 1535, he declared himself to be head of the Church, thereby transferring to himself all authority over the Church in England previously exercised solely by the Pope. His daughter, Queen Elizabeth I, in 1559 abolished Catholicism by statute and replaced it with Anglicanism, thus making it a crime essentially to be Catholic, whereby the performance of Catholic rites could only be performed by “stealth, and at the risk of severe punishment.” (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05445a.htm) However, in 1829 the English Parliament brought an end to the ban on Catholicism, and eased the persecution.
By now you must be wondering how the words of the Christmas carol fits in with this. It was during this time of Catholic suppression and persecution that the carol was believed to be written in order to help young Catholics learn the tenants of their faith. Thus, each verse carries special religious connotation.
ON THE FIRST DAY OF CHRISTMAS, MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME, A PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE...
The “true love” mentioned in the song refers to God Himself, and not an earthly suitor. The “me” who receives the gifts refers to every baptized person. The “partridge in a pear tree” is Jesus. He is symbolically represented as a mother partridge who feigns injury to decoy predators from her helpless nestlings, in memory of Jesus’ expression of sadness over the fate of Jerusalem
(Luke 13:34)
ON THE SECOND DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME, TWO TURLE DOVES
The Old and New Testaments, which together bear witness to God’s self revelation and plan of salvation for the world.
ON THE THIRD DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME, THREE FRENCH HENS
These stand for the virtues of FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE (I Corinthians 13:13)
ON THE FOURTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME, FOUR CALLING BIRDS
These are the four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, which tell the story of Jesus and the God’s plan to reconcile the world to Himself through Him
ON THE FIFTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME, FIVE GOLDEN RINGS
These are the first five books of the Old Testament, known as the Torah or Pentateuch, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.
ON THE SIXTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME, SIX GEESE A LAYING
This stands for the six days of creation
ON THE SEVEN DAYS OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME, SEVEN SWANS A SWIMMING
The swans represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, leading and compassion (Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:8-11)
ON THE EIGHTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME, EIGHT MAIDS A-MILKING
These are the eight Beatitudes: (1) Blessed are the poor in spirit, (2) Blessed are those who mourn, (3) Blessed are the meek, (4) Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, (5) Blessed are the merciful, (6) Blessed are the pure in heart, (7) Blessed are the peacemakers, (8) Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake (Matthew 5:3-10)
ON THE NINTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME, NINE LADIES DANCING
These are the nine Fruit of the Holy Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Generosity, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control. (Galatians 5:22)
ON THE TENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME, TEN LORDS A LEAPING
These are the ten commandments: (1) You shall have no other gods before me, (2) Do make any graven images of anything in heaven or on earth, (3) Do not take God’s name in vain, (4) Remember the Sabbath Day, (5) Honor your father and mother, (6) Do no murder, (7) Do not commit adultery, (8) Do not steal, (9) Do not bear false witness, (10) Do not covet (Exodus 20:1-17)
ON THE ELEVENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME, ELEVEN PIPERS PIPING
These are the eleven faithful apostles: Simon Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James bar Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and James bar James.
ON THE 12TH DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME, TWELVE DRUMMERS DRUMMING
These are the twelve points of the doctrine in the Apostles’ Creed:
- I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth;
- I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
- He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary
- He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into the grave.
- On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
- He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
- I believe in the Holy Spirit and
- the holy catholic church,
- the communion of saints
- the forgiveness of sins
- the resurrection of the body
- and life everlasting
Hope you enjoyed this! If you didn’t know this already, I bet you’ll never “hear” the Christmas carol the same, ever again!
Until tomorrow!
