The Twelve Days Of Christmas

The Twelve Days Of Christmas

Caroling has been a part of Christmas for longer than most of us know. It became very popular in the Middle Ages during the Feast of Twelve Nights. Beginning on Christmas Day, many would take time away from work and school to celebrate Christmas. Mostly, though, it became an excuse for bad behavior and heavy drinking. That much hasn’t really changed for some people, has it?

The poor didn’t have much to celebrate with but they found that by going to the homes of the wealthy, they could receive food or gifts by singing. Over the. Purse of time, if they didn’t receive anything, they would prank their host. That’s how caroling began and it’s why some people kept mulled cider or treats handy.

“The Twelve Days of Christmas” reflects that tradition. At a time when many were unable to express their faith, for political or religious reasons, songs were written that used secular objects to express their faith. That's why the 12 Days of Christmas seems so secular. Its’ religious meaning is hidden beneath the worldly lyrics. On each day of the feast, the Christian was to meditate on the following themes:

• 1 partridge represented the One Lord and Savior, Jesus.

• 2 turtle doves: the Old and New Testaments.

• 3 French hens meant faith, hope and love.

• 4 calling birds are the 4 Gospels.

• 5 gold rings referred to the first 5 books of the Bible.

• 6 geese a-laying were the 6 days in which God created the world.

• 7 swans a-swimming meant the 7 gifts of the Spirit in Isaiah 11.

• 8 maids a-milking were the Beatitudes.

• 9 ladies dancing called to mind the Fruits of the Spirit.

• 10 lords a-leaping mentioned the 10 Commandments.

• 11 pipers piping meant the 11 faithful Disciples.

• 12 drummers drumming were the Apostle’s Creed.

The Twelve Days of Christmas takes on a whole new meaning when you understand what it is really all about.