Do you KNOW the 12 days of Christmas?

There are twelve days between Christmas day ~the birth of Jesus 'Epiphany'~ and January 6th, the day Christians celebrate the arrival of the Magi and the revelation of Jesus as the 'Light of the World'.

The Christmas song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" may sound silly and contrived to many of us. But it actually had its origins in religious symbolism ~ and with a serious purpose. It dates from a time of religious persecution. The song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas," was written as a kind of secret catechism that could sing in public without fear of arrest ~ a learning or memory aid to Christians in fact. Did you know that each element is a code word for a religious truth?

They are:

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 /PENTATEUCH.

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 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.