Since I have already used the popular Christmas carol "The 12 Days Of Christmas" to calculate the cost of love during the holiday season, I decided to dig a bit deeper into this lovely and expensive song.
For many years, people have sung this song as a silly Christmas song, and it has also been used as a children's memory game. But somewhere along the line some symbolist decided to sit down and force Christianity upon it (much like the crusaders). As a result, we have been told that there is hidden meaning behind each of the items given on the 12 days. Let's take a look!
Our partridge in a pear tree is supposed to symbolize Jesus Christ Himself. In the song, Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge that feigns injury to decoy predators from her helpless nestlings.
The 2 turtle doves symbolize the Old and New Testaments, which together bear witness to God's self-revelation in history and the creation of a people to tell the Story of God to the world.
The 3 French hens (which due to the spread of avian flu and restrictions on bringing poultry into the United States getting a true French hen is virtually impossible) are said to symbolize the Three Theological Virtues, which are faith, hope, and love.
Four calling birds is actually a misconception. The original lyrics penned back in the 1700's actually state "Four collie birds. Upon further Goggleing I found out that collie birds are black birds. So, our four black birds symbolize the Four Gospels which are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
Ah, the five golden rings. What woman wouldn't want that, right? But these are just plain gold bands. And since "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend", we gather that not many women would like these. Stereotypically, that is. The five golden rings are said to bear reference to the first Five Books of the Old Testament, known as the Torah or the Pentateuch. For those of you who don't know, these books are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. These books give us the history of humanity's sinful failure and God's response of grace in the creation of a people to be a light to the world.
I can't imagine what six geese (laying or not) has to do with the Bible. But, from what I read, (and my step-father FIRMLY believes that if it's printed in a magazine it HAS to be true) the six geese a-laying symbolizes The six days of creation that confesses God as Creator and Sustainer of the world. Well... bully for the geese, then.
Seven swans. Hmmm.... Seven swans...... OH!!! I've got it! The seven swans (must they be swimming?) must represent the Seven Gifts of The Holy Spirit, which are prophesy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, leading, and compassion. Call me crazy, but I've been told that there were more Spiritual Gifts than that... Oh well.
I hope you like milk! Because eight maids a-milking will probably produce a whole butt-load of milk. Just saying... Our eight maids symbolize the eight Beatitudes: 1) Blessed are the poor in spirit, 2) those who mourn, 3) the meek, 4) those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, 5) the merciful, 6) the pure in heart, 7) the peacemakers, 8) those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. (Matthew 5:3-10) That's all I have to say about that.
Nine ladies dancing must be a mistake. In the 1700's dancing ladies were often looked upon as dirty and sinful. In today's society, I can drive about 3 miles down the road and find a club that specializes in dancing ladies. But, as it stands, our nine dancers represent the nine Fruits of the the Spirit, which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. I find the self-control to be a bit ironically symbolized by a dancing lady...
Ten leaping lords symbolize the Ten Commandments. Just to keep things educational, the Ten Commandments are: 1) You shall have no other gods before Me; 2) Do not make an idol; 3) Do not take God's name in vain; 4) Remember the Sabbath Day; 5) Honor your father and mother; 6) Do not murder; 7) Do not commit adultery; 8) Do not steal; 9) Do not bear false witness; 10) Do not covet. Hey, if you don't believe me, check your Bibles! I believe these leapers can be found in Exodus 20.
Eleven pipers (which contrary to popular belief are actually bagpipe players, not flute players) piping away represent the eleven (yes I know there were actually twelve) Apostles that were FAITHFUL to Jesus. The list does not include the twelfth disciple, Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus to the religious leaders and the Romans. For those of you who care to know, the other eleven were Simon Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James bar Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, Judas bar James.
And at long last we come to our twelve drummers. Oh, drummers, of what symbol do you drum? The twelve drummers drumming are said to represent the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles' Creed: 1) I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. 2) I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. 3) He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. 4) He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell [the grave]. 5) On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. 6) He will come again to judge the living and the dead. 7) I believe in the Holy Spirit, 8) the holy catholic Church, 9) the communion of saints, 10) the forgiveness of sins, 11) the resurrection of the body, 12) and life everlasting.
Now, personally, I'm not entirely sure I believe all this. Primarily because during the time period in which "The 12 Days of Christmas" was written, Catholicism was the primary religion in Europe. But, hey, whatever makes people feel warm and fuzzy inside when the trek through the snow to go caroling this year.
Scooter Out.
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