The 12 Days of Xmas In the 15th century, Catholics in England could not openly practice their faith, being the Anglican Church the only legal Church. Catholic parents wrote songs to remind the children of their Faith in words that the non-catholics couldn't understand. This is how :
"The Twelve Days of Christmas" was born.
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On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me:
A Partridge in a Pear Tree
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On the second day of Christmas my true love sent to me: 
2 Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree
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On the third day of Christmas my true love sent to me: 
3 French Hens 
2 Turtle Doves 
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree
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On the fourth day of Christmas my true love sent to me: 
4 Calling Birds 
3 French Hens 
2 Turtle Doves 
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree
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On the fifth day of Christmas my true love sent to me: 
5 Golden Rings

4 Calling Birds 
3 French Hens 
2 Turtle Doves 
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

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On the sixth day of Christmas my true love sent to me: 
6 Geese a Laying 
5 Golden Rings

4 Calling Birds 
3 French Hens 
2 Turtle Doves 
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

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On the seventh day of Christmas my true love sent to me: 
7 Swans a Swimming 
6 Geese a Laying 
5 Golden Rings 

4 Calling Birds 
3 French Hens 
2 Turtle Doves 
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

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On the eighth day of Christmas my true love sent to me: 
8 Maids a Milking 
7 Swans a Swimming 
6 Geese a Laying 
5 Golden Rings 

4 Calling Birds 
3 French Hens 
2 Turtle Doves 
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree 

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On the ninth day of Christmas my true love sent to me: 
9 Ladies Dancing 
8 Maids a Milking 
7 Swans a Swimming 
6 Geese a Laying 
5 Golden Rings 

4 Calling Birds 
3 French Hens 
2 Turtle Doves 
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

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On the tenth day of Christmas my true love sent to me: 
10 Lords a Leaping 
9 Ladies Dancing 
8 Maids a Milking 
7 Swans a Swimming 
6 Geese a Laying 
5 Golden Rings 

4 Calling Birds 
3 French Hens 
2 Turtle Doves 
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree 

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On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love sent to me: 
11 Pipers Piping 
10 Lords a Leaping 
9 Ladies Dancing 
8 Maids a Milking 
7 Swans a Swimming 
6 Geese a Laying 
5 Golden Rings 

4 Calling Birds 
3 French Hens 
2 Turtle Doves 
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree 

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On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me: 
12 Drummers Drumming 
11 Pipers Piping 
10 Lords a Leaping 
9 Ladies Dancing 
8 Maids a Milking 
7 Swans a Swimming 
6 Geese a Laying 
5 Golden Rings 

4 Calling Birds 
3 French Hens 
2 Turtle Doves 
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree 


 
  "The Twelve Days of Christmas Story"
"On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me" --
The first   day of the Christmas celebration is counted from December 26, the day after Christmas, to January 6, the traditional day for celebrating the coming of the wise men to worship Jesus.

Instead of referring to a suitor, the "true love" mentioned in the song refers to God.
God is the one who gives all of these wonderful gifts to "me."

The "me" receiving the presents is symbolic of every baptized person.

The partridge was chosen as a reminder of Christ. A mother partridge will feign injury to decoy predators from her helpless nestlings. She will literally give her life for her children. The pear tree is a reminder of the cross.

Two turtle doves: The Old and New Testaments. Two great gifts which each  Christian receives.

Three french hens: During the 16th century, only the rich could afford these costly birds. These represent the three great gifts of faith,hope and love (1 Corinthians 13:13).

Four calling birds: The four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John, which speak of Jesus.

Five gold rings: The first five books of the Old Testament or theTorah.

These books were treated by the Jews with great reverence and considered worth more than gold (Psalm 19:10).

Six geese a laying: Eggs are an almost universal symbol of new life. The laying geese stand for the six days of creation. God spoke the word and brought forth life.

Seven swans a-swimming: The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit (Romans 12:6-8): prophesy, service, teaching, encouraging, giving, leadership, mercy.

Eight maids a-milking: The eight Beatitudes of Jesus (Matthew 5:3-10) nourish us as milk does.

Nine ladies dancing: The nine fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23): love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

Ten lords a-leaping: Lords were men who had authority in people's
lives. The lords are The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:3-17).

Eleven pipers piping: The eleven apostles that remained faithful to Jesus  and people joyfully followed their message.
 
 



Twelve drummers drumming: The twelve vital beliefs that set 
us apart as Christians found in the Apostles' Creed:

I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:  And in Jesus Christ, his only
 begotten Son, our Lord:  Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary: Suffered under
 Pontius Pilate; was crucified, died and  was  buried: He descended into hell: The third day he rose again from the dead: in fulfillment of the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty: From thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead:  I believe in the Holy Spirit: I believe in the Holy Catholic Church: the communion of saints:  The forgiveness of sins: The resurrection of the body: 
And the life everlasting. Amen.

 
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