The Twelve Days of Christmas is one of the most popular Christmas songs but little did people know that the lyrics from this song were drawn from the Bible and represent life changing lessons.
The Twelve Days of Christmas is a popular Christmas Carol that is often sung and played during Christmas at concert, school, and churches.
Although the exact history of the song is difficult to track, many theologians believe it dates back to the 16th century. Many people believe that the song’s verses were more than fun and that the meaning was actually drawn from bible stories and was used as a method to teach children.
Some other people like to debunk that there is any religious meaning to the song, calling the biblical meaning an urban myth or folklore.
After carefully studying of the bible, the hidden meaning of the song can be deduced as follows:
On the First Day of Christmas my true love gave to me a partridge in a pear tree – The partridge is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. (Luke 13:34) ‘Jerusalem! How often would I have sheltered you under my wings, as a hen does her chick, but you would not it so…’’
On the Second Day of Christmas my true love gave to me two turtle doves – The two doves represent the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.
On the Third Day of Christmas my true love gave to me three French hens – The three French Hens represent the three theological virtues; Faith, Hope and Love (1 Corinthians 13:13)
On the Fourth Day of Christmas my true love gave to me four calling birds – The four calling birds are the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John in the Bible. These Gospels proclaim the Good News of God’s reconciliation to the world in Jesus Christ.
On the Fifth Day of Christmas my true love gave to me five gold rings – The five golden rings are the first five books of the Old Testament; Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. These Gospels are known as the Torah or Pentateuch.
On the Sixth Day of Christmas my true love gave to me six geese a-laying – The six geese are the six days of creation described in Genesis 1.
On the Seventh Day of Christmas my true love gave to me seven swans a swimming – The seven swans are the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit; Prophecy, Ministry, Teaching, Exhortation, Giving, Leading and Compassion. (Romans 12:6-8; Corinthians 12:8-11).
On the Eighth Day of Christmas my true love gave to me eight maids a-milking – The eight Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-10
1. Blessed are the meek
2. Blesses are the merciful
3. Blessed are the poor in spirit
4. Blesses are the pure in heart
5. Blessed are the peacemakers
6. Blessed are those who mourn
7. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness
8. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake
On the Ninth Day of Christmas my true love gave nine ladies dancing – The nine ladies are the fruits 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 – The ten Lords are the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17)
1. You shall have no other god before Me.
2. Do not make an idol.
3. Do not take the Lord’s name in vain.
4. Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy.
5. Honour your father and mother.
6. You shall not commit murder.
7. Do not commit adultery.
8. Do not steal.
9. Do not bear false witness.
10. Do not covet.
On the Eleventh Day of Christmas my true love gave to me eleven pipers piping – The eleven pipers are the eleven faithful apostles namely Simon Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James bar Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, Judas bar James excluding the twelfth apostle, Judas Iscariot, who betrayed JESUS (Luke 6:14-16)
On the Twelfth Day of Christmas my true love gave to me twelve drummers drumming – The twelve drummers are the twelve points of the doctrine in the Apostle’ Creed.
1. I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
2. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord
3. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary
4. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried.
5. On the third day He rose again, He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
6. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
7. I believe in the Holy Spirit,
8. The Holy Church of God
9. The forgiveness of sins
10. The fellowship of the Holy Spirit
11. The resurrection of the body
12. And life everlasting.
The traditional Twelve Days of Christmas begins on Christmas Day and last until the epiphany on January 6. The Twelve Days of Christmas starts on December 25.
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