The Meaning of the "12 Days of Christmas" Song!
Monday, December 26, 2011 at 08:49PM | Jeff Cavins 
The 12 Days of Christmas is a catechism song that was originally meant to teach the faith to children during a time when it was illegal to practice the Catholic Faith. The song is a memory device to help the young remember the important parts of the faith. Enjoy the 12 days.
“The Twelve Days of Christmas” celebrates the official Christmas season which starts liturgically on Christmas Day and ends twelve days later on the Feast of the Epiphany. My "true love" refers to God and "me" refers to the individual Catholic. Some believe there are more than one interpretation, so we have provided both.
Partridge in a Pear tree: Jesus Christ.
Two Turtle Doves: represent the two natures in Jesus, human and divine/the two Testaments.
Three French Hens: are the Three Persons in Trinity/Faith, Hope and Charity.
Four Calling Birds: the four gospels/four evangelists.
Five Golden Rings: are the first five books of Moses.
Six Geese a Laying: Six days of creation.
Seven Swans a Swimming: are the Seven Sacraments/seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Eight Maids a Milking: are the Eight Beatitudes.
Nine Drummers Drumming: Nine fruits of the Holy Spirit.
Ten Ladies Dancing: are the Ten Commandments.
Eleven Pipers Piping: are the eleven Apostles who remained faithful after the treachery of Judas.
The Twelve Lords a Leaping: are the twelve basic beliefs of the Catholic Church as outlined in the Apostles Creed.
Reader Comments (2)
Dear Jeff,
My daughter attended a non-denominational church service on Christmas Day with her boyfriend's family, and the pastor told this story of the songs of the Twelve Days of Christmas as his sermon. He said that it had originated during the time when Catholics in "England" were persecuted for practicing and the Faith, and was a "mnemonic device to teach the catechism to youngsters". Since she is Catholic, everyone later asked if she "knew this story?!?". She had never heard it before this day. The historical timeline and some other statements did not seem synchronous or logical, so she did some research.
What she found was many articles reciting or restating the story, as well as articles debunking it as myth, hoax and legend. Probably the most "reasonable in tone" was an article acknowledging that "the 'evidence' on both sides is mostly in logical deduction and probabilities". Neither side has true substantive evidence to prove or disprove their story. Then, the article went on to express that it would be unfortunate for either side to use the song as a "crusade for personal opinion".(www.cri.org)
We are practicing Catholics, always eager and thirsty to receive knowledge and understanding of our Faith, and humbly aware of how much we do not know. I admit I too was skeptical when she told me about this, and found comfort in the explanation that regardless of "origin" this song can, like many others, simply provide us an opportunity to celebrate God's grace.
Now, here is the "BUT"...Then I saw this on your site! I consider you a "heavyweight" and would seek your counsel on questions of Scripture, Catechism, practice, custom--all the things I am working to "see" more clearly. So, would you please explain what information led you to accept this story.
Many thanks for all the ways you have shared your personal journey in faith and your extensive knowledge of the Bible and our Church. They have been bright lights and signposts to help me find my way to our Lord.
Lovingly in Christ Jesus,
Tommye Lyons
Hello you tweeted me . Twetter is blocked here so Im sending you this because you need it! haha Happy lent. and May our Glourous God bless you and yours. Allen Paul J. Maillet
Jeff Cavins @JeffCavins requested to follow you
a gift for you
http://www.livethefast.com/
http://info.breadbeckers.com/ezekiel-bread/
recipe below is not Mr. Lavallee's, I thought it is interesting though.
Ezekiel Fasting Bread Recipe
Ezekiel 4:9 (New Am Std version) "But as for you, take wheat, barley, beans, lentils, millet and spelt, put them in one vessel and make them into bread for yourself; you shall eat it according to the number of the days that you lie on your side, three hundred and ninety days."
If you want to order the grains and beans to grind into flour yourself, click here.
Combine the following whole grains:
2-1/2 cups hard red wheat
1-1/2 cups spelt or rye (Biblically spelt was used, Ezekiel 4:9)
1/2 cup barley (hulled barley)
1/4 cup millet
1/4 cup lentils (green preferred)
2 Tbs. great northern beans
2 Tbs. red kidney beans
2 Tbs. pinto beans
Stir the above ingredients very well. Grind in flour mill.
(NOTE: all of these grains and beans can be ground in WonderMill or NutriMill with no problems).
Measure into large bowl or DLX:
4 cups lukewarm water
1 cup honey
1/2 cup oil
Add to liquids:
freshly milled flour from the above mixture of grains
2 tsp. salt
2 Tbs. yeast
Stir or knead until well kneaded about 10 minutes. This is a batter type bread and will not form a smooth ball.
Pour dough into greased pans. You may use 2 large loaf pans (10x5x3) or 3 med. loaf pans or 2-9x13 brownie pans. Let rise in a warm place for one hour or until the dough is almost to the top of the pan. If it rises too much it will over flow the pan while baking. Bake at 350F for 45-50 minutes for loaf pans and 35-40 minutes for brownie pans.
*For fasting divide bread into 8 equal parts weighing 1/2 pound each. Eat a 1/2 pound cake and drink a quart of water every day. For fasting I do not alter the recipe.
This is a very sweet, moist, cake-like bread. For a more traditional bread texture I have used this combination of grains in The Beckers Bread and Roll recipe. Replacing the 7 cups of flour with the 9 cups of flour from the milled grains in this recipe. You may also add fruits and nuts or use the flour made from this mixture in other favorite recipes. This healthy combination of grains and beans is worth experimenting with. Combining grains and beans makes a complete protein.
"Let us pray"
Allen P. J. Maillet