The True Meaning of The Song The 12 Days of Christmas
This is one Christmas carol that has had me confused on why it is a Christmas carol, what do all these things of the 12 days of Christmas have to do with Christmas? Are they Christmas gifts? Here is what this song is really all about.
Between l558 and l829, Catholics in England were not allowed to practice their faith. So someone during that time wrote this carol as a Christmas song for Catholic children. This song has two meanings.The one in the song and it also has a hidden meaning has well, only known to members of that church. Each part of this carol has a word for a catholic religious truth which all the members of the church could remember and was not told to anyone else.
The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ, He is in a tree to show Him above all others. Two turtle doves were the books of the Old and New Testaments in the bible. Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love. The four calling birds were the four gospels from the bible, Matthew, Mark,Luke, and John.
The five golden rings recalled the first five books of the Old Testament. The six geese a laying stood for the six days it took God to create. the world. Seven swans a swimming are the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership ,and Mercy.
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The eight maids a milking are the eight beatitudes of Jesus. Nine ladies dancing are the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit. Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-control.
The ten lords a leaping are the ten commandments giving to us by God.. Eleven pipers piping are for the eleven faithful disciples. Twelve drummers drumming are the twelve important points of the Apostles' Creed.
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Now I know how this song The 12 Days of Christmas became a Christmas Carol, and now every time I hear it, it will have a whole different meaning for me now that I know the true meaning of the 12 days of Christmas!
