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Everybody thinks that "The Twelve Days of Christmas" were the days preceding the Christmas festival. In reality, Epiphany is the time of the Christian celebration that starts December 25 and lasts until January 6, a duration of 12 days. This marks the Church's celebration of Jesus as the Light of the world and remembers the pilgrimage of the three wise men. Each day, starting from December 25 up until January 6, was considered a part of the Christmas celebration. Meant to demonstrate mercy and compassion, each day was taken into account by people showing selfless acts of giving and tender charity. In many cultures, giving gifts was not done solely on a single day, but rather, as the song goes, through the entire season of the 12 days of Christmas. From 1558 until 1829 the Church in England was not allowed to practice their faith openly. During that era 'The Twelve Days of Christmas' song was written as a catechism that could be sung in public without the risk of persecution. The words to the 12 Days of Christmas song are, in essence, an allegory. The words to the song have two levels of interpretation: the surface meaning and the meaning known only to members of the Church. Each phrase or word in the carol has an actual religious meaning. "True love" means God and 'me' means the Christian believer. On the first day, the partridge in a pear tree is synonymous to Jesus Christ's coming to save mankind. Sing the song to yourself to figure out the rest of the religious meaning as you browse through the lyrics to the song, 12 Days of Christmas. On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me A partridge in a pear tree. On the second day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. On the third day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Nine ladies dancing, Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Ten lords a-leaping, Nine ladies dancing, Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
By: Kerry Beck
Kerry Beck desires to give you her free Advent activities for your family's Christmas Celebration this season. Her book also provides the meanings of the words to 12 days of Christmas song.
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