The Twelve Days of Christmas

*by boymongoose, from Youtube

Enjoyed the video? It was from Youtube and it has about 5M hits, the time I watched it. Though I was really after the Twelve Days of Christmas song, I ended up with this, which is really cute and cool, and the truth behind the classic "The Twelve Days of Christmas."

According to Dennis Bratcher on his article at www.crivoice.org, the said classic song, which refers to the 12 days before Christmas, December 25, for popular belief is really intended for the 12 days from  Christmas until Epiphany, January 6. The real 12 days of Christmas is December 26 to January 6, Epiphany or the time when the three Wise Men or Magi arrived to give present to Jesus Christ. 

More truth from Bratcher, the "true love" mentioned in its lyrics is not the earthly suitor, but God Himself while "me" refers to the baptized person who is part of the of Christian Faith. Fascinating, isn't?

Bratcher also told in his article that each presents mentioned in the song have there very own meaning.

1. Partirdge in A Pear Tree - Jesus Christ, The Son of
                God

2. Two Turtle Doves - The Old and New Testaments of
       the Bible

3. Three French Hens - Faith, Hope and Love, 
Theological Virtues (1 Corinthians 13:13)

4. Four Calling Birds - Four Gospels of the New 
           Testaments:

           Matthew, Mark,

           Luke and John








5. Five Gold Rings - The first five books of the Old
Testament of the Bible, 

Torah or Pentateuch: 
Genesis, 
Exodus, 
Leviticus, Numbers 

and Deuteronomy

6. Six Geese A-laying - six days of creation of God the 
        Creator 
        (Genesis 1)

7. Seven Swans A-swimming - Seven gift of the Holy Spirit:

         a. prophecy

         b. ministry

         c. teaching

         d. exhortation

         e. giving

         f. leading

         g. compassion

        (Romans 12: 6-8; 
        cf. 1 Corinthians 12: 8-11)

8. Eight Maids A-milking - Eight Beatitudes:

        a. Blessed are the poor in spirit

        b. Those who mourn

        c. The meek

        d. Those who hunger and thirst for 
            righteousness

        e. The merciful

         f. The pure in heart

        g. The peacemakers

        h. Those who are persecuted 
                                  for righteousness' sake

                               (Matthew 5: 3 - 10)

9. Nine Ladies Dancing - Nine fruits of the Holy Spirit

              a. love 

              b. joy

              c. peace

              d. patience

              e. kindness

              f. generosity

              g. faithfulness

              h. gentleness

              i. self - control

                                         (Galatians 5:22)

10. Ten Lords A-leaping - Ten Commandments

11. Eleven Pipers Piping - eleven faithful Apostles of Jesus Christ

12. Twelve Drummers Drumming - Twelve points of the doctrine in the 

                           Apostle's Creed

The next time you sing "The Twelve Days of Christmas"  or heard from the carolers singing it in front of your house, it is not a classic, simple song because you know its meaning. 

PS:Celebrate the gift giving part on the day itself.

*images from www.squidoo.com/twelve12daysofchristmas