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"On the First Day of Christmas"

 

The popular Christmas carol "The Twelve Days of Christmas" actually began as a song to teach children about the basics of the Christian faith. In addition to teaching that Christmas is a season of twelve days (December 25-Januaty 5) each day is marked by a symbol or symbols representing a Christian truth.


The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.


The two turtledoves were the Old and New Testaments.


The three French hens stood for faith, hope, and love.


The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew,
Mark, Luke, & John.


The five golden rings recalled the Torah, or Law, the first
five books of the Old Testament.


The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.


The seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.


The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.


The nine ladies dancing were the fruits of the Holy Spirit;
Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.


The ten Lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments.


The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.


The twelve drummers symbolized the twelve points of the Belief in the Apostles' Creed.