CLARIFICATION: I share this post with you, but I find its information highly suspect. See my comments in the italics box below.–Father Joe
The History of The 12 Days Of Christmas
There is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me. What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won’t come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas?
From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church.
Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.
The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.
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.
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.
Nine ladies dancing were the nine 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 drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles’ Creed.
So that’s your history for today. May God grant you peace and happiness throughout this Christmas Season.
FATHER JOE: I am told that Father Harold Stockert was the source for this story. Unfortunately, while Catholics were indeed persecuted, this song (with French roots?) was probably just a secular hymn for the holidays. Note that pretty much everything mentioned as catechetical was also believed by English Anglicans and thus not taboo. The problems with Catholics had to do with the Pope, our understanding of the Mass and sacraments, and certain Marian teachings. However, if modern-day Catholics want to use the song to help kids remember items of faith, that is certainly fine by me! God bless! I hope everyone has had a happy and loving Christmas. May everyone have a holy and healthy New Year!