What do the 12 Days of Christmas
REALLY Stand for?
I have now had more years of Christmas than I care to count--and never did it click with me until now what the symbolism means for each day. You would think that I would have picked that up some place. As much as we sang it in grade-school, well, I guess they did not want to get into the meaning behind the lyrics. Even the other night when I sang the song with the Washington Chorus, it was never explained. All we were told is which verse to join in on!
Do you suppose that there's alot of life in all of that--reciting a script but not knowing the meaning? Or, penetrating to the real meaning ourselves? All I can say is that we journey through this life and we should do more than just stop to smell the roses--we should know something of what that moment, that rose, that time means for us. Here's the list of the symbolism--now sing the song!
- A Partridge in a Pear Tree - Jesus Christ
- Two Turtle Doves - The Old and New Testaments
- Three French Hens - The three virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity
- Four Calling/Collie Birds - Four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
- Five Golden Rings - First five books of the Old Testament
- Six Geese-a-Laying - Six days of creation before God's rest on the seventh day
- Seven Swans-a-Swimming - Seven gifts of the Holy Spirit
- Eight Maids-a-Milking - Eight Beatitudes
- Nine Ladies Dancing - Nine fruits of the Holy Spirit
- Ten Lords-a-Leaping - Ten Commandments
- Eleven Pipers Piping - Eleven faithful disciples
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