I came across an intresting take on the 12 days of Christmas song. Understand this is a culmination of some research and I copied the best of each.
In Christian tradition, the “12 Days of Christmas” refer to the period from December 25 (Christmas Day) to January 6 (Epiphany), marking the celebration of Christ’s birth and the arrival of the Magi. While the song itself likely originated as a fun, secular memory game in 18th-century England, a popular legend has emerged over the years attributing hidden Christian meanings to each of the gifts.
Full disclosure: I don’t believe this was the song’s original intention, but I’m confident they wouldn’t object to us interpreting it this way.
Day 1: A Partridge in a Pear Tree – Jesus Christ
The song begins with “a partridge in a pear tree,” symbolizing Jesus Himself. The pear tree evokes the cross, reminding us of His crucifixion and resurrection. As John 3:16 declares, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Day 2: Two Turtle Doves – The Old and New Testaments
These gentle birds represent the two parts of the Bible: the Old Testament (prophecies and history pointing to Christ) and the New Testament (the fulfillment in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection). Together, they form the complete story of God’s redemptive plan. As 2 Timothy 3:16-17 reminds us, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.”
Day 3: Three French Hens – Faith, Hope, and Love
The three hens stand for the theological virtues outlined in 1 Corinthians 13:13: “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” These are the foundational pillars of Christian living, gifts from God that sustain us through trials and triumphs.
Day 4: Four Calling Birds – The Four Gospels
These birds “calling” out symbolize the four Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—which proclaim the Good News of Jesus. Each offers a unique perspective on His ministry, miracles, and message. As in Mark 16:15, we’re called to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”
Day 5: Five Golden Rings – The Pentateuch
The five rings represent the first five books of the Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy), also known as the Torah or Pentateuch. These foundational texts detail creation, the law, and God’s covenant with His people. They set the stage for the rest of Scripture, as seen in Deuteronomy 6:4-5’s Shema: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart…”
Day 6: Six Geese a-Laying – The Six Days of Creation
Geese laying eggs evoke the six days God took to create the heavens and earth in Genesis 1. On the seventh day, He rested. This reminds us of God’s sovereignty and creativity: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). What an invitation to marvel at His handiwork!
Day 7: Seven Swans a-Swimming – The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit
These graceful swans symbolize the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit from Isaiah 11:2-3: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. These empower believers for godly living, as the Spirit equips us for service in the body of Christ.
Day 8: Eight Maids a-Milking – The Eight Beatitudes
The maids represent the eight Beatitudes from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:3-10), such as “Blessed are the poor in spirit… Blessed are the merciful…” These teachings outline the attitudes and actions that lead to true blessedness in God’s kingdom.
Day 9: Nine Ladies Dancing – The Nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
Dancing with joy, these ladies embody the nine fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. They’re the evidence of the Spirit’s work in our lives, producing Christ-like character.
Day 10: Ten Lords a-Leaping – The Ten Commandments
The leaping lords signify the Ten Commandments given to Moses in Exodus 20, guiding moral living and our relationship with God and others. As Jesus summarized in Matthew 22:37-40, they boil down to loving God and neighbor.
Day 11: Eleven Pipers Piping – The Eleven Faithful Apostles
These pipers represent the eleven apostles who remained faithful after Judas’ betrayal (Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James). They carried the Gospel forward, as commissioned in Acts 1:8.
Day 12: Twelve Drummers Drumming – The Twelve Points of the Apostles’ Creed
Finally, the drummers beat out the rhythm of the twelve articles in the Apostles’ Creed, a foundational statement of Christian belief covering God the Father, Jesus’ birth and resurrection, the Holy Spirit, the church, and eternal life.
Blessings,
Riley