Twelve Days of Christmas ~ The Meaning Behind the Song

The Meaning Behind the Song
The twelve days of Christmas are the twelve days between Christmas Day and the Epiphany, Jan. 6th — the day Christians celebrate the arrival of the Magi and the revelation of Christ as the light of the world. The Christmas song may sound contrived to many of us. But it actually had its origins in religious symbolism — and with a serious purpose. The song can be taken at two levels of interpretation — the surface meaning, or the hidden meanings to the teachings of the Christian faith. Each element is a code word for a religious truth.
The Partridge in a Pear Tree is Jesus. The Two Turtledoves are the Old and New Testaments. Three French Hens stand for faith, hope and love. The Four Calling Birds are the four Gospels. The Five Gold Rings recall the Hebrew Torah (Law), or the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament. The Six Geese A-Laying stand for the six days of creation. The Seven Swans A-Swimming represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. The Eight Maids A-Milking are the eight Beatitudes. Nine Ladies Dancing are the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit. The Ten Lords A-Leaping are the Ten Commandments. Eleven Pipers Piping represent the eleven faithful Apostles. Twelve Drummers Drumming symbolize the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles Creed.