We hear Christmas carols everywhere during the holiday season—in supermarkets, department stores, town squares, and in our cars. With each passing year, it seems we begin to hear them earlier and earlier (in some places, as early as Halloween).
Of course, with the frequency with which they are played every year, everyone has their favorites. Perhaps the rhythmic “Little Drummer Boy”? Maybe the soft “Silent Night”? Or the chaotic “Christmas Can-Can”? From the classics to the modern hits, every Christmas carol has its own special meaning (and history). One of the most fascinating is the “Twelve Days of Christmas.”
Its lyrics to its history are a cause to sign with your loved ones around your Christmas tree during the twelve days of Christmas—beginning, of course, on December 25th and ending on the Epiphany (January 6th)!
The melody we know today as the “Twelve Days of Christmas” was written in 1909 by English composer Frederic Austin. While we do not know the original writer of the song, the lyrics have been thought to originate from the child's book, Mirth With-out Mischief.
The lyrics have changed from country to country and over time, but the use of the song (or sometimes a chant) during a specific time of history is where the Christian meaning enters the music.
From 1558 to 1829, Catholics were greatly persecuted in England for practicing their faith. Writings and verbal infractions were not just punishable by fines; you could also be hanged.
During this dark time in history, the “Twelve Days of Christmas” became a mode for the faithful to practice their religion. It was even better that young ones could easily recall the song and learn the meaning of each day. Teaching all that the “true love” is not that of earthly affection, but instead, is that of God.
The “twelve drummer drumming,” received on the twelfth day of Christmas, is the representation of the twelve points of belief in The Apostles’ Creed.
The Apostles’ Creed states:
The gift received on the eleventh and twelfth day of Christmas are the “eleven pipers piping,” which stands for the eleven faithful Apostles:
The gift received on the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth day of Christmas is the “ten lords a-leaping” which were to represent the Ten Commandments:
The gift received on the ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth day of Christmas is the “nine ladies dancing,” who each represent one of the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit:
The gift received on the eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth day of Christmas is the “eight maids a-milking,” who represent the eight beatitudes from Matthew 5: 3-10:
The gift received on the seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth day of Christmas is the “seven swans a-swimming,” which represent the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit:
The gift received on the sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth day of Christmas is the “six geese a-laying” which stand for the six days of creation in Genisis 1:
The gift received on the fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth day of Christmas is the “five golden rings,” which represent the first five books of the Old Testament—describing man's fall from the love of God into sin:
The gift received on the fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth day of Christmas is the “four calling birds” which represent the four gospel writers and their gospels:
The gift received on the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth day of Christmas is the “three French hens” which represent the Holy Trinity:
The gift received on the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth day of Christmas is the “two turtle doves” which represent the Testaments:
The gift received on the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth day of Christmas (and every day after) is the “partridge in a pear tree” which represents Jesus Christ.
This year at Christmas, may you relish in His gifts and find gratitude for the many blessings in your life.
*Originally posted 12/25/22