The Twelve Days Of Christmas

...On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: 12 drummers drumming, 11 pipers piping, 10 lords a-leaping, 9 ladies dancing, 8 maids a-milking, 7 swans a-swimming, 6 geese a-laying, 5 golden rings, 4 calling birds, 3 French hens, 2 turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree...

We have all heard this Christmas carol many times before. It is in fact one of the most popular and most recorded Christmas songs through out the past century. The song was actually first published in England in 1780, but it's thought to be older and of French origin.

One of my favorite recordings is by a band called Relient K. In the song they add a bridge which goes, "What's a partridge? What's a pear tree? I don't know so please don't ask me, But I can bet those are terrible gifts to get." On the surface, these do seem like terrible gifts to get, I mean, there are no less than 23 birds on this list. 23 birds! I don't think I want 1, let alone 23. But I believe, as do many Christians who have speculated, the gifts have a deeper meaning. The meanings are as follows:

The "partridge in a pear tree" is Jesus Christ

The "2 turtle doves" symbolize the Old and New Testaments

The "3 French hens" stand for the 3 virtues: Faith, Hope, and Love

The "4 calling birds" represent the 4 Gospels.

The "5 golden rings" symbolize the first 5 books of the Old Testament called the Torah

The "6 geese a-laying" are the 6 days of creation.

The "7 swans a-swimming" stand for the gifts of the spirit.

The "8 maids a-milking" represent for the beatitudes.

The "9 ladies dancing" symbolize the fruits of the spirit

The "10 lords a-leaping" are the 10 commandments

The "11 pipers piping" stand for the 11 faithful disciples

and The "12 drummers drumming" represent the 12 points of belief in the Apostles Creed.

Our true love who sent these gifts is God, who unconditionally loves us. Looking at the meaning of this song, the gifts become more real, and not so terrible. I'm glad God gave us all these gifts and even more!

All Jr. High students are welcome to come to our Christmas party and join us as we look deeper into the meaning and symbolism of the Christmas carol, "The Twelve Days Of Christmas". The party is going to be at a special holiday location. Email me, and I can send you the address and directions. Don't forget to bring a "White Rhino" gift for the gift exchange.